24 THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



capital feeders, and nothing comes amiss to them ; they are therefore 

 profitable where the place is suitable for them. 



Geese are very productive and profitable on commons ; but, in 

 gardens, of little use or value. Water is, however, by no means 

 essential ; they do well without it, if they can roam and forage for 

 themselves. Pied birds are the best for stock. The same general 

 treatment as for turkeys suits them ; the nest must be on the ground, 

 and there is nothing better than a basket, lined with bay or dry 

 moss. A warm house promotes early broods, and the earlier the 

 young birds can be got the better. Grain of any kind should, be 

 the staple food for them ; and when fattening, they should have 

 plenty of boiled turnips and boiled potatoes ; but " cramming " is to 

 be condemned, as a waste of food, for the pi'oduction of rank and 

 useless fat. 



Ducks are good birds for small holders. A little ditch to paddle 

 in, or even a tub sunk in their run, will serve them almost as well 

 as a pond ; but, like other poultry, plenty of room in a paddock is 

 an advantage. Young ducks allowed to run through a kitchen- 

 garden do a vast deal of good, by destroying vermin, and, at the 

 same time, thrive upon the food they get. They are apt to tread 

 down a young crop, and that must be guarded against, by enclosing 

 the bed with some nets or hurdles. 



The Aylesbury ducks are the most prized, and are most prolific 

 layers. They are bad mothers, however, and it is best to put the 

 eggs under a cochin hen, and confine the brood for the first week, 

 to keep them from the water. Their first food should be boiled 

 eggs and boiled nettles ; then a change to boiled barley, and after 

 that they may feed with the others ; but they want little if they can 

 forage for themselves. A good feed twice a-day of boiled grain, 

 with the run of the place, soon fattens them ; but they Bhould be 

 shut close the last fortnight, and no insect food allowed them, or 

 their flesh will be rank. 



NOTES ON GLADIOLI. 



BY WILLIAM GAEDINER. 



OR the embellishment of the flower borders during the 

 months of August and September, and for forming a 

 striking feature at the autumnal exhibitions, we have 

 not many flowers to equal the Gladioli. Massive in 

 appearance, and richly coloured, they stand out boldly 

 amongst the herbaceous phloxes, the dahlias, and other subjects with 

 which they are usually associated, and it is quite impossible to see 

 well-developed examples without being strongly impressed with their 

 immense value for home decoration aud exhibition. They have long 

 been favourites of mine, and after many years' experience, I feel jus- 

 tified in advising those amateurs who like to have something in their 

 gardens besides geraniums and other summer bedders, to take them 



