226 PBOFITS IN POULTRY. 



we get severe " snaps." Barley and oats are excellent 

 feed for ducks. If these or any grains are thrown into 

 a shallow tub, or trough, they will soak and be all the 

 better relished. Pekin Ducks are among the best layers, 

 by far the best in our experience, laying not unfrequent- 

 ly sixty to eighty eggs each, in the spring, and often 

 again in the autumn, if the weather is warm. If ducks 

 are not confined at night, they will make nests in some 

 hedge-row or secluded spot difficult to find, and one will 

 become broody after laying sixteen to twenty eggs, or as 

 soon as she has a good clutch. When confined as we 

 suggested, they rarely make nests, but drop their eggs 

 about anywhere. Ducks are very fond of water-cress, and 

 if they have access to the water-cress bed at the spring, 

 there will soon be none left for the salad-bowl. Wire 

 netting, a foot in height, will form an effectual barrier. 



PEKIN DUCKS. 



The Pekin Duck was unknown in this country or 

 Europe previous to the spring of 1873. The following 

 is a brief account of their importation. Mr. McGrath, 

 of the firm of Fogg & Co., engaged in the Japan and 

 China trade, in one of his excursions in China first saw 

 these ducks at the city of Pekin, and from their large 

 size, thought them a small breed of geese. He succeeded 

 in purchasing a number of the eggs, and carried them 

 to Shanghai, where, placing them under hens, he in due 

 time obtained fifteen ducklings sufficiently mature to 

 ship in charge of Mr. James E. Palmer, who was about 

 returning to America. He offered Mr. P. one half the 

 birds that he should bring to port alive, and the latter, 

 accepting the offer, took charge of them. Six ducks 

 and three drakes survived the voyage of 124 days, and 



