WILD DUCKS 181 



preserve and propagating farm for waterfowl, which would 

 result in great good. 



Planting Foods. Another very important line of effort 

 which should be undertaken on large tracts is the estab- 

 lishing of food plants such as are naturally attractive to 

 wild ducks. A great deal of interest in this matter is 

 arising, and many landowners and State officials are ex- 

 perimenting with various species of water plants. With 

 some kinds these efforts have already been successful. The 

 planting of wild rice and wild celery are most in the public 

 eye thus far, and have proved feasible. On the Walcott 

 preserve wild celery has been established in at least one 

 pond. There was trouble in starting wild rice on a pond 

 where pinioned ducks were kept, as these ate up the seed 

 before it could get a start. Commissioner Titcomb of 

 Vermont reports success in his planting wild rice. Mr. 

 Walcott finds it better to plant the roots in the spring than 

 to sow seed in the fall. 



Authorities. There is such a large amount of detail in 

 connection with the description of various water plants 

 which attract wildfowl and of the methods of starting them 

 that it is impossible here to discuss it thoroughly. Instead 

 I will refer those interested to two authoritative sources. 

 Bulletin No. 58 of the United States Department of Agri- 

 culture, entitled, "Five Important Wild-Duck Foods/' by 

 W. L. McAtee, describes the Delta duck potato, the wapato 

 or duck potato, the chufa or nut-grass, the wild millet, and 

 the banana water-lily. Some suggestions are also given 

 for propagation. 



Clyde B. Terrell, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has gone very 

 thoroughly into the subject. His father back in 1895 began 

 to distribute wild-duck foods. The son grew up in the 

 business, and has endorsements from Commissioner Tit- 



