734 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



South African grain, snch as cracked mealies 1 part, oats 1 part, 

 barley 1 part, and, if available, kaffir corn 1 part. These to be 

 mixed together and fed in water in shallow vessels. During harvest- 

 ing period on grain farms geese should be driven on to the stubble 

 land, where they will find practically all the food they require, thus 

 economizing the food bill and cleansing the farm of fallen grain and 

 seed, a double advantage to the farmer. 



Laying and Incubatioti. — As the laying sea-son approaches the 

 females will be seen walking around in search of suitable nesting- 

 places; frequently they carry straw or grasses in their moutlis, a 

 sure indication. A nest should be provided for each goose. It may 

 be made with half-a-dozen round sticks planted in the ground in a 

 circle with the top ends tied together, wigwam or tent fashion, 

 covered with grass, reeds, or sacking, with an opening- on one 

 side; the width of the nesting place should be 2| to 3 feet and 

 the height 3i feet. A good handful of straw or hay should be 

 placed in each nest; the goose will see to the rest. Geese carefully 

 hide their eggs. It is, however, better to remove the eggs as they are 

 laid. To do this without rousing suspicion, mark the first egg with 

 an indelible pencil and leave in the nest ; remove the second and all 

 subsequent eggs, otherwise they may become over-heated, chilled, or 

 stolen. When the goose becomes broody, remove the first egg and 

 give her all the other eggs to sit upon; she will usually cover from 

 ten to fifteen eggs, according to the size and breed of the goose. When 

 setting she must be kept as quiet as possible ; to this end it is an 

 advantage to remove the gander and place him in another paddock. 

 The sitting goose should have pure water within reach, also grain 

 and green food. During the last few days of incubation it is some- 

 times necessary to remove the goose, otherwise she will neglect 

 feeding. Her removal must be carried out most carefully, otherwise 

 the eggs may be broken, and should not be attempted unless it can be 

 done without injury to goose and eggs. The period of incubation is 

 from thirty-three to thirty-five daj's ; actual hatching period is forty- 

 eight hours. Experience has shown that goslings should be allowed 

 to hatch unaided : any attempt at helping them usually ends fatally 

 through the membranes being prematurely ruptured, causing death by 

 bleeding. Experience also teaches that a gosling unable to hatch 

 unaided is not worth the trouble of rearing. 



Bearing Goslings. — Goslings should be removed one by one as 

 they hatch so as to prevent the mother from leaving the nest before 

 all the eggs are hatched; they should be placed in a basket lined with 

 flannel, or in a warm brooder. When all the young are hatched give 

 the goslings back to the mother, and she will watch over them with 

 great care. The gander may now be allowed to return to the goose 

 and her little family, as he helps her to protect the young and watct 

 over them very tenderly. Although goslings are very hardy they are 

 very susceptible to cold or rain, and it is best not to let them wander 

 far from the nest for the first few days, and not too far fropa suitable 

 shelter before they are two weeks old, so that they may be placed 

 under cover in case of rain. The gander becomes most fierce during 

 the periods he is assisting with the care of the young, therefore young 

 children should not be permitted to visit the young goslings until 

 thev are three to four weeks old. 



