162 Ducks to Fatten. 



weighs its due weight. A dish of mixed 

 food, if preferred to whole corn, may re- 

 main OR the bank, or rather in a shed, for 

 the ducks. I must here mention a fact, 

 which I have either actually verified, or 

 supposed that I have verified. Barley yi 

 any form, should never be used to fatten 

 aquatics, ducks or geese, since it renders 

 their flesh loose, *woollyy and insipid, and 

 depriving it of that high savoury flavour of 

 brown meat, which is its valuable distinc- 

 tion ; in a word, rendering it chkkeni/, not 

 unhke in flavour tlie flesh of ordinary and 

 yellow-legged fowls. Oats, whole or bruis- 

 ed, are the standard fattening material for 

 D¥CKs and geese, to which may be added 

 pea-meal, as it may be required. The 

 house- wash is profitable to mix up their 

 food, under confinement ; but it is obvious, ^ 

 whilst they have the benefit of what the 

 pond affords, they can be in no want of 

 loose food. 



Acorns in season, are much affected by 

 ducks which have a range ; and in former 

 days, residing on the borders of a forest, I 



