244 FARMING FOR LADIES. [chap. xr. 



give them such exciting food as hemp-seed, 

 and barley-meal mixed up with good strong 

 ale ; and ladies who wish- to have green geese 

 early on their tables, should feed them in the 

 same manner. 



When a goose feels an impulse to lay, she 

 evinces the desire by carrying straws in her 

 bill ; and when this is observed, a temporary 

 nest of straw should be laid for her. She 

 should be confined in the shed until she has 

 layed one egg ; after which she will continue to 

 lay her intended number in the same place. 

 Only one is, however, usually left with her, 

 the rest being regularly removed and kept in 

 a cool place, until the period for incubation, 

 which will not arrive for more than a month, 

 as the bird only lays an egg on every second 

 day. Most housewives are, indeed, careful to 

 keep the eggs of each goose separately, from a 

 prevalent idea that the bird can distinguish 

 her own, and will not pay due attention to 

 those of another : it is, however, an unfounded 

 prejudice. 



During the process of hatching she must not 

 be divided from the gander ; as he, unlike 

 the turkey, will visit her frequently, during 



