254 POULTRY-CRAFT. 
The mongrel, hybrid, geese so famous in the markets, are usually produced 
by mating wild males with domestic females, preferably dark ones,—African, 
Toulouse, or Brown Chinese. The reverse mating,—domestic male with 
wild females—is sometimes used, but the other is better, as the wild females 
lay few eggs. The wild ganders do not mate until two or three years old, 
and often will not mate the first year in captivity. Usually they mate with 
but one goose. 
Llow Many Females to a Male?— From one to four. Geese are disposed 
to pair. Young ganders often take up with only one goose. Older birds will 
generally mate with more. One breeder of Toulouse geese allows two geese 
to each gander. A breeder who gives his numerous matings a common range, 
mates four geese with one gander ; yards them by themselves the first season, 
and puts two or three extra ganders with the large flock. 
388. Care of Breeding Geese.— Geese at pasture require little attention. 
If kept in confinement, they must be provided with green food, not fed too 
heavily on grain, and care taken to prevent their becoming too fat, and unfit 
for breeding. They should always have water for drinking, and frequently 
for bathing. If shut up at night, the place must be cleaned at regular inter- 
vals. Geese do not generally lay until near spring, though occasionally some 
lay in January. Boxes or barrels containing straw, hay, or suitable litter, are 
placed in corners and out of the way places for nests.’ In cold weather the 
eggs must be removed to prevent their being chilled. It is advisable always 
to have a nest egg—not necessarily a goose egg—any kind will do. To 
break up broody geese they should be removed for four or five days, and the 
nest in which they have been laying destroyed or removed to a new position 
before they are returned. Methods of feeding do not differ much, variations 
being due mostly to differences in pasture. 
how by crossing a market breed superior to any of the established breeds might be pro- 
duced. For the ordinary breeder the wisdom of crossing except under conditions as 
stated in 7 69, or to produce something exceptional, as the mongrel goose, is question- 
able. For those who may find it advantageous to make crosses, results of a few of the 
best crosses made at the experiment station are quoted from its report : — 
‘The Embden-Toulouse * * * would appear to be the best all around cross for general 
purposes, for both early and late markets, and especially for the production of large 
geese for the Christmas and New Year's markets. They are large, hardy, and when 
dressed present a fine appearance.” 
‘* Of those here compared (African-Toulouse, Toulouse-Embden, Embden-African) the 
Embden-African seems to be next in desirability, and if goslings are sold early in the 
summer, or before they are eight weeks old, this cross would be preferable to all others.” 
‘« The Embden-White China cross picked the easiest of these crosses, were white when 
dressed, and although small, presented the most attractive appearance.” 
