66 DUCKING DAYS 



ing for the market and for many years earned consider- 

 able money in that way. An unfortunate accident to the 

 brother turned Miner's thoughts into a different chan- 

 nel, and, as the country was cleared, offering a feeding 

 and resting place for vast numbers of wild geese on 

 their annual migrations, he hit upon the idea of trying 

 to get them to visit his place. Originally the effort was 

 somewhat w^ith the idea of sport, but this was soon 

 turned to helping along the conservation movement. 



Having added to farming the manufacture of brick 

 and drainage tile, he found the pools made in excavating 

 clay needed for that industry convenient for his purpose. 

 In 1904 he purchased a few wild geese and placed them 

 at a pond which was actually located in his dooryard 

 with his home and outbuildings on one side, and the tile 

 factory not more than 500 or 600 feet away on another. 

 Not until 1908 were his efforts rewarded and then but 

 slightly. In that year sixteen called, of which six were 

 shot. In 1909 about thirty-five appeared, from which 

 number eight or ten were secured. In 1910 about 350 

 are estimated to have called during their Spring flight 

 to the North. A few were shot that year, but very 

 earl}^ that season it was decided to do no more killing, 

 and since that time he has been overrun with visitors 

 now that they are convinced of the sincerity of his 

 hospitality. 



