AQUATICS CAUTION INCUBATION. 105 



protection of the tender charge of the good wife, 

 whose whole time and attention are taken up with 

 this branch of domestic economy. 



The CANVASS-BACKED ducks of America, bred only 

 on the Potomac and Susquehanah rivers, are sup- 

 posed to be the best in the world. I believe they 

 have never yet been imported into Europe. DUCK- 

 LINGS are not safe in waters stocked with EELS. As 

 to pike, every one initiated in country concerns well 

 knows that pike will make free with both ducklings 

 and goslings, but few duck -ponds have pike in them, 

 though many have eels ; and few breeders, I conceive, 

 would trust their young stock in waters where are pike. 



The ducklings provided for the Christmas market, 

 a sufficiently insipid viand, have sometimes been sold 

 as high as from six to twelve and fourteen shillings 

 the couple. In China they hatch duck eggs by arti- 

 ficial heat, the young broods, in their climate, shift- 

 ing for themselves in a very short time. 



Under a regular system, it would be preferable to 

 separate entirely the aquatic from the other poultry, 

 the former to have their houses ranged along the 

 banks of a piece of water, with a fence, and suffi- 

 ciently capacious walks in front ; access to the water 

 by doors to be closed at will. Should the water be 

 of considerable extent, a small boat would be neces- 

 sary, and might be also conducive to the pleasure 

 of angling. 



It may be necessary to mention, by way of cau- 

 tion, a case which occurred in our poultry-yard. 

 The ducks having been kept a considerable time 

 from the water, by a severe frost, on a certain fine 

 F 5 



