The Goose. 163 



had annually great numbers fattened en- 

 tirely on that provision, to such excess, 

 that the quantity of fat was inconvenient, 

 both in cooking, and upon the table. Ducks 

 so fed, are certainly inferior in delicacy, but 

 the flesh eats high, and is far from disa- 

 greeable. I have also occasionally ate of 

 them fed on butchers' offal, when the flesh 

 resembles wild fowl in flavour, with, how- 

 ever, considerable inferiority. Offal-fed 

 ducks' flesh does not yet emit the abomi- 

 nable stench which issues from offal-fed 

 pork, and with which the dining tables of 

 London are so frequently and satisfactorily 

 perfumed. 



The Goose* 



A GANDER and five geese comprise a 

 single breeding stock. The goose sits upon 

 her eggs from twenty-seven to thirty days, 

 covering from eleven to fifteen eggs. A 

 nest should be prepared for her in a secure 

 place, as soon as carrying straw in her bill, 

 and other tokens, declare her readiness to 



