St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1908-04-04
Abita Springs Items.

| Near Abita is probably the larges
SQUAD farm in the South, and it is in
tensely interesting to note the car,
given the birds-how well they ar,
housed, etc. They live in a hous,
built in resident style, 72x10O feet
with windows and doors and fine floor
ing, the windows opening into a large
screened cage, in which the bird!
spend the pleasant days. 1t is statet
48 feet will be added to this plant il
the near future. The house is divided
into six departments, with 1853 nests
in each. Mr.. w. Thompson, the gen.
ial manager, takes great delight ir
showing visitors around the farm anc
explaining its management.
There are 500 breeding birds-pure
Homer pigeons and $50 squads on the
farm at present. Each pigeon matches
nine times year, laying two eggs
and then setting seventeen days to
hatch.' The young become marketa-
BILE squads in five weeks. The cock
and hen alternate in setting "a share
in domestic duties exhibiting spirit
worthy of emulation by the man who
makes his good wife chop the wood) ,
each staying on the nest half day;
but after the squads are sixteen days
old the mother leaves them entirely
in care of the cock bird, while she
looks for another nest.
Pigeons are bought and sold by the
pair, at an average price of $3.50 per
pair. These pigeons were shipped
from Melrose, Mass, and when
trained are worth from S15 to 500 a
pair. Squads bring Soc a pair or $3.50
a dozen. Large restaurants usually
have a standing order for squads.
Every morning the birds are fed
yellow corn and wheat at night. Feed
is changed every day. Hemp seed,
mlllet, kafir seed, red wheat and Can
ada peas are used. Hemp seed is
their favorite dish. Fifty-six quarts
day are fed on this farm, the aver
age cost Of feeding each bird being
so cents year.
Young birds commence LAYING at
seven months and are paired when
about five months of age, a band be-
ing placed on left leg of hen bird and
on right leg of male.
The droppings from the birds are
sold to tanneries at 60 cents bushel.
The Firemen's Association of Abita
met the other evening and perfected
plans for new pavilion, to be erect
ed between the bridge and the walk
to the spring. The site has been do
mated by Mr.. Larkins, of the Abita
Water Company, who came over and
pointed out the lots. The building is
to be spacious one, of best material.
8Ox10O, work to be commenced as
soon as material can be put on the
ground. The Firemen, with the aid of
the Progressive Union and the town
officials, are working like beavers for
this much needed pavilion, which is to
cost $1100.
Work has been resumed on the
Buisson building in Live Oak street.
opposite the Town Hall. The Young
Brothers are completing the building.
A great number of houses are rent
ed and occupied for the summer. This
promises to be a prosperous summer
here, from the outlook thus far.
On Palm Sunday, week from this
Sunday, Confirmation exercises will
be held in the Trinity Lutheran
Church, All are cordially invited to
attend. Services in English at 1O:45
.. m. On Easter Sunday the HOLY
Communion will be celebrated in morn
ing service. Divine services are held
every Sunday night at 7:3O p. M, in
stead of z p. M, from now on.
Mr.. Spitzfaden came over for the
day.
Mrs. Duparquir, daughter and little
son spent Wednesday here.
Mr.. j. Oriole, familiar figure in
st. Tammany parish, an inspector of
lumber, spent several days with Mr..
j. P. Rausch, this week,
Mr.. William Michaelis is spending
awhile in New Orleans visiting friends
and relatives.
Mr.. Chas. Gollmer returned to his
home in New Orleans last Sunday,
after spending some time in Abita.
Messrs John Frantz and Gus Good
speed spent last Sunday in Abita, at
Lorio Cottage.
Mr.. and Mrs. C. Bacher returned to
New Orleans after spending month
1t the Long Branch Hotel.
Mr.. VIM. Stire spent Sunday at the
nome of his parents Mr.. and Mrs,
rheo. Stire OF Abita Springs.
Mr.. Fred j. Michaelfs returned TO
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