212 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 



Goslings do not require much extra feed, if they can 

 get all the fresh and tender grass they want, and unless 

 this can be supplied, breeding geese is not profitable. 

 For the first few weeks some food must be given ; this 

 should never be corn-meal, for nine-tenths of the mor- 

 tality among fledgelings, of the various kinds of domestic 

 fowls, can readily be traced to feeding corn-meal. Cot- 

 tage cheese, or dry curds of sour milk in which red pep- 

 per (Cayenne) has been sprinkled, is a very good food, 

 and a quantity of fresh onion- tops, chopped up fine, is 

 relished by them. Stale bread soaked in fresh milk 

 makes an excellent food for all young birds, and the way 

 they develop when fed liberally with it will astonish any 

 one who has not before tried it with his fowls. The 

 greater part of the management of geese consists in 

 keeping them (the goslings) free from dampness while 

 they are still " downy," guarding them from the attacks 

 of rats, cats, weasels, and other of their enemies, in 

 housing them well at night, and in giving them a fresh 

 grass run as often as possible. When they become fully 

 feathered, they are abundantly able to take care of them- 

 selves ; many breeders then let the geese find their own 

 food, which they can readily do on a large farm, until 

 fattening time, or when the grass begins to get short, 

 Avhen they are brought up, and liberally and regularly 

 fed with corn, still being permitted to have their liberty, 

 until a week or two before they are to be killed, when 

 they are penned up and fed with all they can eat. 



VARIETIES. 



In breeding for mere fancy, no doubt the odd or hand- 

 some kinds, like the white or the brown China, etc., 

 would be satisfactory ; but where heavy weights, hardi- 



