Rearing Geese 251 



raised on many farms in comparatively small 

 flocks. The fact that geese require very much 

 more room than ducks has probably been an 

 important factor in keeping the business of rear- 

 ing them in the hands of farmers who go into 

 the enterprise in a moderate way. While ducks 

 are frequently reared successfully without water, 

 except as it may be necessary for drinking, yet 

 geese thrive best where ponds or streams are pro- 

 vided. While ducks may thrive under practically 

 the same conditions as geese, yet the conditions 

 under which geese do best are not necessary for 

 successful duck - raising. Fields which are not 

 suitable for cultivation on account of springs or 

 streams make good pastures for geese. A com- 

 paratively low springy or marshy land may be 

 used to good advantage if some part of the run 

 is comparatively high and dry. Geese do not 

 thrive so well in large flocks as ducks do. There 

 seems to be a somewhat general law which may 

 be applied to all farm stock as regards the size of 

 flocks or herds. The smaller animals, as a rule, 

 thrive much better in large flocks than do the 

 larger breeds or varieties. It is true that large 

 herds of cattle are maintained on some of the 

 great cattle ranches in the prairie countries, fcut^ 

 an almost unlimited range is given them. 



Geese do not require a great deal of attention. 

 After the young are a week or so old, they are 



