THE GOOSE. 127 



They will begin to grow in about a week. For a week or 

 two the goslings should not be turned out till late in the 

 morning, and should always be taken in early in the evening. 

 In Ireland, the tenantry depend much on the breeding of these 

 birds and turkeys to pay their rent ; and with those who are 

 industrious and favorably situated for rearing geese, they even 

 do more, in many instances. In the early part of the year they 

 are allowed to feed on grass, on heaths, meadows, and com- 

 mons ; and as most of the peasantry have small bits of corn 

 land of their own, the geese are turned out on the stubble to 

 pluck what grass is left ; and they also fatten upon it, and 

 improve the flavor of their flesh. 



Although water be the natural element of geese, yet it is 

 a curious fact that they feed much faster in situations remote 

 from rivers and streams. To fatten geese it is necessary to 

 give them a little corn daily, with the addition of some raw 

 Swedish turnips, carrots, mangel- wurtzel leaves, lucerne, 

 tares, cabbage-leaves, and lettuces. They should not be 

 allowed to run at large when they are fattening, as they do 

 not acquire flesh nearly so fast when allowed to take much 

 exercise. Therefore, those who can only afford to bring up a 

 goose or two should confine them in a crib, or some such 

 place, about the beginning of July, and feed them upon the 

 ingredients above recommended, with a daily supply of clean 

 water for drink. If, on the contrary, from a dozen to twenty 

 are kept, a large pen of from fifteen to twenty feet square must 

 be made, and well covered with straw in the bottom, and a 

 covered house in a corner for protection against the sun and 

 rain when required, because exposure to either of these is not 

 good. It will be observed that, about noon, if geese are at 

 liberty, they will seek some shady spot, to avoid the influence 

 of the sun ; and when confined in small places, they have not 

 sufficient room to flap their wings and dry themselves after 



