Ratio7iale. 147 



ripe in a fortnight. If kept longer, the fever 

 that is induced by this continued state of 

 repletion, renders them red and unsaleable, 

 and frequently kills them. Geese are like- 

 wise bred in the same neighbourhood, in 

 great numbers, and sold about Midsummer 

 to itinerant dealers, the price at the time 

 the survey was made, two shillings, to two 

 and three-pence each. I must presume to 

 repeat, it appears to me utterly contrary to 

 reason, that fowls fed upon such greasy and 

 impure mixtures, can possibly produce flesh 

 or fat so firm, delicate, high flavoured, or 

 nourishing, as those fattened upon more 

 simple and substantial food ; as for exam- 

 ple, meal and milk, and I think lightly of 

 the addition of either treacle or sugar. 

 Witli respect to grease of any kind, its chief 

 effect must be to render the flesh loose and 

 of indehcate flavour. Nor is any advan' 

 tage gained, excluding the commercial one, 

 as I confine myself entirely to the consider- 

 ation of home use, by very quick feeding ; 

 for real excellence cannot be obtained but 

 by waiting nature's time, and using the 



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