CHAPTER XIII 



DUCKS AND GEESE 



THE American farmer too often thinks of "poul- 

 try" as comprising only "hens and chickens." The 

 term really covers all kinds of domesticated birds, 

 including those grown for pets or for mere fancy. 

 With the more diversified agriculture of the future, 

 other species than hens must come into greater 

 prominence. 



DUCKS GENERAL DISCUSSION 



While ducks have been reared on farms for a 

 great many years, yet a large proportion of the 

 business of duck-rearing is now in the hands of 

 specialists who conduct it on an extensive scale. 

 A considerable proportion of the duck products 

 of farms, where only small flocks are maintained, 

 is consumed at home and does not affect the gen- 

 eral market. The rearing of the so-called "green 

 ducks" for market has provided a profitable occu- 

 pation for many extensive duck-raisers. Compara- 

 tively few farmers enter into the business of duck- 

 raising extensively. Ducks are usually kept in 



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