270 Farm Poultry 



tions as geese, yet the conditions under which geese 

 do best are not necessary for successful duck- 

 raising. Fields which are not suitable for culti- 

 vation on account of springs or streams make 

 good pastures for geese. A comparatively low, 

 springy or marshy land may be used to good advan- 

 tage 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 gen- 

 eral 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, but 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 able 

 to care for themselves largely, if a good range is 

 given. The food of geese is largely grass, although 

 insects and other low forms of animal life are eaten 

 readily and are essential. 



GEESE BREEDS 



The most common breeds of the pure-bred 

 geese are the Toulouse, African, Embden, Chinese, 

 Canada or Wild, and Egyptian. Many geese 



