A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



and a blow from the wing of either is seri- 

 ously unpleasant. Should a goose become 

 broody early in the season, remove her from 

 the nest and incarcerate in a wire coop within 

 the compound, where she can see her mates. 

 Within a few days all desire to sit will have 

 left her, and after a few days of freedom 

 she will commence laying again. 



The second clutch of eggs she should be 

 allowed to retain, for goslings hatched under 

 the oily moisture of a goose's breast are 

 stronger, and so desirable for future stock. 

 It is the want of this humid warmth, when 

 ordinary hens are used to incubate such large 

 eggs, that necessitates sprinkling the eggs 

 two or three times; and when possible, 

 making the nest on the ground, or at least 

 cutting the sod and placing it at the bottom 

 of any wooden box used as a nest. The 

 eggs take from twenty-eight to thirty days 

 to incubate. Goslings require virtually the 

 same feed and general care as young ducks, 

 the only difference being an increase of grass 



174 



