GEESE AND DUCKS. 239 



and if they have a good pasture they will need no other food until 

 they are put up to fatten, when twenty days' feeding with corn will 

 put them in good condition for market. The goslings are very hardy 

 and the goose is an excellent mother, although very stubborn in her 

 disposition, so that once she has chosen her nest she will take no other, 

 but will sit out her time, if with only a paving stone under her. 

 There are two prominent varieties: the Toulouse, which is gray and 

 is the largest of all kinds, and the Embden, which is pure white. 

 The best time to market geese is at the Christmas holidays. 



Ducks are profitable when well managed, but under other circum- 

 stances will eat three times their value of food. When the young 

 ducklings are fed properly, and are forced, so as to be ready for 

 market at ten to twelve weeks old, or sooner with some varieties, they 



PEKIN DUCKS. 



are quite profitable. There are several kinds. The Pekin is a large 

 white variety and quite prolific, but, like all profitable'farm animals, 

 it is a great eater. The Aylesbury is also pure white, and, when fat, 

 will weigh six pounds at four months old. It grows very rapidly 

 when well fed. The Rouen is a gray duck, and the drake is beauti- 

 fully marked with golden green, steel-blue and brown. It is a large 

 duck, weighing eight to ten pounds when fat, and is a quick feeder. 

 The most profitable way to rear ducks is as follows: The old ducks 

 are kept shut up at night until they have laid their eggs, which they 

 usually do about daylight. They are then turned out, and a wet, 

 mucky swamp, or a green meadow with ditches in it, provides them a 

 very desirable feeding ground. At night, when they come in, they 

 should be fed, and at no other times. Corn, oats, barley and buck- 

 wheat are suitable food. The eggs are gathered every morning and 



