278 Farm Poultry 



delicacy. The feeders who sell livers to those who 

 prepare them for the trade sometimes receive as 

 much as $1.50 per pound. In some districts, it is 

 reported that great stress is laid on the grit which 

 is furnished these fattening geese. Small pieces of 

 antimony ore are said to be highly prized for this 

 purpose. In some places the geese are suspended 

 in nets, which prevent them from taking exercise. 



Houses. Geese require inexpensive and small 

 houses. ? Comparatively rude and simple struc- 

 tures answer every purpose. Simple shelter from 

 the storm is all that is necessary during the larger 

 part of the year. While they require larger houses 

 than ducks, and do not stand crowding to so great 

 an extent, yet the buildings need not be expensive. 

 Geese will require about the same space in the 

 building per pound of live weight as ducks, but 

 being much larger, require larger buildings for the 

 same number of fowls. 



Laying qualities. Geese are long-lived. It is 

 stated on good authority that they frequently 

 live from thirty to fifty years, and individuals 

 have lived to be more than a hundred years old. 

 The females retain their breeding qualities through 

 life, yet it is recommended to keep only young gan- 

 ders. Those from three to five years of age are 

 preferred. Geese are good sitters and make good 

 mothers. In this respect they still retain well 

 their natural instincts. Under ordinary conditions, 



