54 WHITE TURKEYS. 



manner, and not at, or near the time of moulting. 

 The ripe down only should be taken from each 

 wing of the swan, goose, or duck, and four or five 

 feathers. Lean geese furnish the greatest quantity 

 of down and feathers, and of the best quality ; to 

 which also the goodness of their food, and the care 

 bestowed, contribute in a considerable degree. 

 Geese are sometimes stripped three times in the 

 season, but in the whole affair I speak with entire 

 ignorance of the practice. Strict PRECAUTION is ne- 

 cessary to HOUSE the stripped fowls, for a time suffi- 

 cient to enable them to endure the air, and by all 

 means to keep them from the water. The down 

 and feathers of ducks, pigeons, and partridges, are 

 used in France, for mattresses and pillows. M. Par- 

 mentier proposed to multiply the breed of WHITE 

 TURKEYS, and to employ for plumes, the feathers 

 found on the lateral part of the thighs of those 

 fowls. 



A correspondent, who has made the requisite en- 

 quiries, furnishes the following particulars : 



" The breeding and rearing of geese constitute 

 the chief employment of the inhabitants of the fens, 

 in Lincolnshire. The feathers are highly valuable ; 

 as are also the quills. For the stuffing of beds, the 

 feathers of geese are considered the best. Whether 

 from increasing luxury, diminution in quantity, or 

 both causes co-operating, the demand is obliged to 

 be supplied by importation; and the article has con- 

 sequently advanced in price. This county, however, 

 still furnishes the markets with large quantities. 

 During the breeding season the geese become joint 



