PO UL TR T- CRAFT. 



2 53 



WHITE CHINESE GEESE are usually smaller than the Brown. In color 

 they are pure white, with orange yellow bill and legs. As layers the females 

 equal those of the other variety, but their eggs are apt to be infertile. When 

 dressed they rank next to the Embclens. 



384. Wild or Canada Geese are of a different species from the 

 domestic goose, and in structure and habits more resemble swans. Stand- 

 ard weights are che same as for the Chinese. Color very dark gray ; bill and 

 legs black. They are often kept in captivity as ornamental fowl, and in such 

 circumstances rarely breed. When bred to produce birds for breeding mon- 

 grels they are given more liberty. One wing is crippled to prevent flight. 



385. Egyptian Geese. Standard weights : adult gander, 10 Ibs. ; young 

 gander, 8 Ibs. ; adult goose, 8 Ibs. ; young goose, 6 Ibs. Purely ornamental 

 fowls, handsomely colored with black, gray, and buff ; bills purplish, legs 

 reddish yellow. 



386. Buying Stock. For the goose breeder it is particularly desirable 

 that stock should be purchased early in the fall. If purchased near the begin- 

 ning of the breeding season, the birds may not mate satisfactorily ; and as the 

 female is not likely to lay well until acclimated and accustomed to new sur- 

 roundings, the better part of the season is lost even when the birds do mate. 

 Old birds are more desirable as breeders than young ones. Females are said 

 to be profitable up to ten or twelve years of age, and males to the age of six 

 or seven years. Thus when once one has secured a flock of mated birds of 

 such numbers as he requires, he may if so disposed, sell his entire product 

 each year for a number of years, retaining only his original stock birds. 

 Prices for ordinary good breeding stock are from $3 to $5 per bird. Eggs 

 are sold generally at so much apiece, 25 cts. to 50 cts., or at so much a 

 dozen $2.50 to $5. 



387. Mating Points for the Breeder. (See also ff 193 214). 

 Standard specimens of both sexes are used in matings to produce exhibition 

 stock, in all varieties of geese, and generally by growers using thoroughbreds 

 to produce market stock, most of whom sell as many as possible of their best 

 birds for breeding. 



In breeding geese for market only, cross breeding is usual in the localities 

 where geese are grown most extensively. A mating preferred by one of the 

 best growers in Rhode Island is : African ganders with common white or 

 gray geese. This mating gives goslings larger than common stock, less diffi- 

 cult to pick, and more attractive when dressed than the African.* 



*NOTE. Numerous crosses have been made on an experimental scale at the Rhode 

 Island Agricultural Experiment Station. The results are of great interest, indicating 



