PERIOD OF INCUBATION. 157 



per pound. In plucking geese, it is impor- 

 tant to select a fine day, and only those in 

 perfect health should be subjected to the op- 

 eration ; the down under the wings is usu- 

 ally left untouched, as it is very slowly re- 

 placed. The French gooseherds are in the 

 practice of rubbing every goose, after the op- 

 eration of plucking, with a saturated solution 

 of salt in vinegar. It is, however, at best 

 a cruel practice, and we rejoice in the be- 

 lief that the introduction of steel pens will, 

 before long, render it unnecessary to resort 

 to a part, at least, of this barbarity. 



The goose in this climate will begin to 

 lay in February, or the early part of March, 

 according to the severity or mildness of the 

 season. As soon as she is observed to car- 

 ry straws in her bill, a nest should be pre- 

 pared for her in some suitable place, and 

 after she commences sitting, food should be 

 placed near the nest. The goose lays from 

 fifteen to eighteen eggs, and her period of 

 incubation lasts from twenty-seven to thirty 

 days. 



With us, the young brood, provided they 



