528 The Rearing and Management of 



sunshiny they can be moved at once upon a grass plot or other 

 convenient place, where they will be safe, and supplied with an 

 abundance of nice young grass, of which they will soon partake 

 (this, their natural food, suits them much better than to be 

 crammed with oatmeal pellets), not forgetting to place them some 

 water in a shallow vessel, with which a little oatmeal may be 

 mixed. If the weather is unfavourable, they must be confined 

 in an outhouse, and plentifully supplied with nice green grass 

 turfs and water. The pellets alluded to are made of oatmeal, 

 formed into paste with cold water, and of convenient size to be 

 swallowed by the goslings ; five or six are given at one feed for 

 each bird ; but to cram fifty goslings three times a day for a 

 fortnight will be found a long and tedious job, and in most 

 farmhouses time cannot be afforded for the purpose, besides, it is 

 really not requisite. 



The most critical time for young geese is about Midsummer ; 

 if it is very dry weather, and the pasturage and Avater not plen- 

 tiful, it is then desirable to give them a few oats night and 

 morning to assist nature over this peculiar juncture, and help 

 them on until the stubbles are ready for them, and when those are 

 cleared they will be in nice condition for fattening, which is best 

 done by making them up, in lots of ten or fifteen in number, 

 according to the size of the place, supplying them with plenty of 

 water and an unlimited quantity of oats for three weeks, giving 

 them a clean bed of straw when required ; they will then be ready 

 for the market. The day previous to killing turn them on the 

 pond for the purpose of washing their feathers, and supply a 

 bed of clean straw in the feeding-house before their return ; 

 but take away all food and water, and let them fast until 

 killed the next day, when they must be dressed for the market. 

 The price of the bird in December, 1866, was, in some places, 

 from lOd. to Is. per lb., small feathers 2^. 6</., and the down 

 7^. Q>d. per lb. It is unwise to sell green geese, on account of 

 the loss in the feathers as well as the carcase, unless a fancy price 

 is obtained for all together, but do not sell by weight at an 

 ordinary price. There is not the slightest doubt geese pay well 

 where there are proper conveniences for keeping them, but they 

 must be well managed and kept out of the mowing-grass and 

 corn-fields, or they will soon do damage to the amount of double 

 their profit. 



Ducks. 



There are many varieties of ducks, but the two most profitable 

 and best suited to the farmer generally are the Aylesbury, or 

 white duck, with flesh-coloured bill, and the Rouen, which 

 should be exactly like the mallard in feather, though much 



