226 PROFITS IN POULTRY. 
we get severe “snaps.” Bariey and oats are excellent 
feed for ducks. If these or any grains are thrown into 
a shallow tub, or trough, they will soak and be all the 
better relished. Pekin Ducks are among the best layers, 
by far the best in our experience, laying not unfrequent- 
ly sixty to eighty eggs each, in the spring, and often 
again in the autumn, if the weather is warm. If ducks 
are not confined at night, they will make nests in some 
hedge-row or secluded spot difficult to find, and one will 
become broody after laying sixteen to twenty eggs, or as 
soon as she has a good clutch. When confined as we 
suggested, they rarely make nests, but drop their eggs 
about anywhere. Ducks are very fond of water-cress, and 
if they have access to the water-cress bed at the spring, 
there will soon be none left for the salad-bowl. Wire 
netting, a foot in height, will form an effectual barrier 
Ca eel 
PEKIN DUCES. 
The Pekin Duck was unknown in this country or 
Europe previous to the spring of 1873. The following 
is a brief account of their importation. Mr. McGrath, 
of the firm of Fogg & Co., engaged in the Japan and 
China trade, in one of his excursions in China first saw 
these ducks at the city of Pekin, and from their large 
size, thought them a small breed of geese. He succeeded 
in purchasing a number of the eggs, and carricd them 
to Shanghai, where, placing them under hens, he in due 
time obtained fifteen ducklings sufficiently mature to 
ship in charge of Mr. James E. Palmer, who was about 
returning to America. He offered Mr. P. one half the 
birds that he should bring to port alive, and the latter, 
accepting the offer, took charge of them. Six ducks 
and three drakes survived the voyage of 124 days, and 
