284 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



GEESE. 



Geese will do well on the same food that cattle usually 

 have. They have wintered well in the yard with cattle, 

 having no other food. At the time of laying, hatching, 

 and rearing their young, they should have a good, dry, 

 warm house, in a warm, airy location. They will do well 

 with only a little water to drink, yet they are fond of 

 swimming and playing in water. They are raised on 

 the prairies with no other water than a little to drink. 



BIRDS. 



Birds in a domestic state, should be kept in a dry, airy 

 place, where it is cool or warm, according to their nature. 

 Yet a current of air should be avoided, even in warm 

 weather. Carefully guard against the effects of sudden 

 changes in weather, especially when there are young 

 birds. Their house, or cage, should be kept clean, and 

 the former whitewashed, and the latter varnished, to 

 prevent vermin. Wash the roost and cage often in 

 whale-oil soap, for the same purpose. 



Feed generally on such food as the birds have been 

 accustomed to in their native state. Give rice birds 

 rice, and Canary birds canary seed, and give the latter 

 a little hemp seed in spring, and hard-boiled eggs, mixed 

 with crackers or stale wheat bread, also millet and dry 

 Indian meal. Give occasionally Cayenne pepper. Keep 

 pure water constantly by them. Most birds need little 

 animal food. Supply all kinds of birds constantly with 

 gravel and sand, old lime mortar, powdered bones, oyster- 

 shells, chalk, charcoal, &c. 



BEES. 



Keep them in a place free from all filthy odors, and 

 unpleasant effluvia. In the spring, clean the bottom 

 board, and whitewash it and the lower edge of the hive, 

 and the inside up to the comb. Put much fine salt into 

 the wash, and apply it several times in the season. It 

 promotes health and prevents moths; it also prevents 

 or cures dysentery. 



