MANUAL ON POULTRY. 53 



The tadpole of the bull-frog is very destructive of the eggs of the 

 carp, and as they are at their most destructive stage during the early 

 part of the spawning season, they should if possible be destroyed 

 Ducks are exceedingly fond -of them and are very successful in 

 destroying them, while they do not disturb the young fish. 



In order to test this, a pond which contained a large number of 

 small carp was drawn down to a depth not exceeding two feet at the 

 deepest part and ducks given free access to it. They were watched 

 for two days, during which time they destroyed large numbers of the 

 tadpoles but were never seen to catch a fish. 



Again, a large Muscovy drake was seen to swim repeatedly over 

 a small pond eight by twenty feet in area, containing perfectly clear 

 water not exceeding one foot in depth. In this pond were fifty six 

 small fish. The drake observed the fish as he passed over them but 

 made no effort to catch them. The conclusion, therefore, from obser- 

 vations thus far made, is that ducks may with advantage to both 

 fish and ducks have free access to the carp ponds from August to 

 March inclusive. 



GEESE, 



While not generally prolific, can be more cheaply raised than anv 

 other kind of our domestic fowls if they are supplied with abundant 

 green pastures. The goslings need feeding only a few weeks, when 

 soaked bread or boiled potatoes mixed with meal may be given them 

 while running on grass with the mother goose. After two weeks 

 they may be fed on grain placed in a box containing a little water. 

 If however they have access to tender grass they will thrive well 

 without other food, provided they have dry shelter in cool nights. 

 Their growth is very rapid even on grass, without other food. 



The principal breeds are the Chinese or Hong Kong, as they are 

 sometimes called, from their supposed origin, though writers on the 

 subject assert that there is no such domesticated breed in the vicin- 

 ity of Hong Kong. 



Mr. C. R. Belcher, of East Randolph, Mass., gives in Miner's Do- 

 mestic Poultry, the following description of his China geese: "The 

 bill is black, with a black or dark-colored protuberance surmount- 

 ing the base of the upper mandible A feathered wattle hangs un- 

 der the throat ; a dark brown stripe proceeds from *the back of the 

 head down the neck, until it reaches the upper part of the body 



