176 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTUKE. 



She at last became so troublesome from her truant propen- 

 sities, that we had to have her killed. It is interesting as a 

 remarkable instance of nature's law of compensations, and 

 does it not prove pretty conclusively that the black Cayuga 

 is only a slight remove from a wild stock ? 



The most approved breeds are the Rouen, White Aylesbury 

 and Black Cayuga, but our country is very rich in its varie- 

 ties of wild ducks, and there is but little doubt but that some 

 of them might easily be domesticated. The dusky black 

 duck is easy to tame, and makes a valuable cross with any 

 of our larscer breeds. The Eider, or as it is called here "the 

 Isle of Shoals duck," feeds on corn readily, and would be a 

 valuable addition to our poultry on account of its great quality 

 of fine down, which commands a good price in the market. 

 The "Canvas-back" and "Red-head" ducks, so famous for 

 their game flavor, might no doubt be domesticated, and would 

 make valuable crosses with other breeds, though we are not 

 aware that the experiment has been tried. 



Wherever there is a running brook or a swampy meadow 

 ducks can be kept to advantage. At some seasons of the 

 year they will forage for themselves, so that a small quantity 

 of grain only is necessary. They should be regularly fed 

 however, particularly in the evening, so as to induce them to 

 come regularly to the barn-yard, where they should be con- 

 fined during the night, as many eggs will be lost if they are 

 sufiered to run at large. 



Duck-eggs for the most part should be set under hens, as 

 these make the most careful mothers. If a quantity of fresh 

 horse-manure is placed under the nest the young will be much 

 stronger and hardier. We have had broods hatched in this 

 way, in one instance as many as thirteen, every one of which 

 lived to maturity, while we have never been so fortunate 

 when they were hatched in the ordinary nests, consisting of 

 straw only. It is well to have a brood or two hatched under 

 ducks, for the reason that drakes brought under hens are very 

 apt to chase them in the spring of the year, and are some- 

 times very troublesome. The young ducks should be kept 

 from the early dew to prevent catching cold and getting " the 

 cramps," of which many die every year. It is important that 

 they have plenty of water to drink, but very little to swim in 



