CHAP. XI.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 247 



rain ; and, although aquatic hirds, they should 

 not be permitted to frequent any pond, or to 

 more than dabble a little in a pan of water, 

 until they have reached that age at which 

 they may be left wholly to the care of the 

 goose and gander. Though naturally fond 

 of the water, they may, indeed, be reared 

 to maturity without having any access to a 

 pond or stream ; which, although useful as 

 well as pleasant to them, when kept as stores, 

 yet, when they are intended to he fattened, 

 rather impedes the process. 



They grow with great rapidity, and are 

 fattened at a very few weeks old by the 

 dealers, who sell them throughout the sum- 

 mer as green geese, at very high prices, being 

 generally considered seasonable delicacies. 

 They, however, occasion considerable trouble 

 in their fatting at that early age, as they 

 must be crammed in the same manner as 

 young turkeys ; and when this is regularly 

 done by professional breeders, it will occupy 

 an expert woman full an hour to perform it 

 on ten geese. Though, indeed, an instru- 

 ment was lately put into our hand, the in- 

 ventor of which professes to enable any one 



