POULTRY-CRAFT. 254 
than any green geese but the earliest on the market bring in summer. The 
demand for green geese begins about June rst, and geese are in demand from 
then until March. 
Methods of Kitiinc, Dressinc, PackinG, and SHIPPING, are practically the 
same as for ducks, and do not require special description. Remarks on 
EXHIBITING ducks apply also to geese. 
392. About Plucking Geese for the Feathers.—Whatever may be said 
in justification of this practice, the fact remains that it is cruel. It is also ques- 
tionable whether on the whole it is profitable. To the frequent plucking of 
geese it is no doubt largely due that so many of those sent to market are 
of very poor quality. A goose which goes through an enforced moult four or 
five or more times (some authorities (?) advise plucking every six or seven 
weeks) cannot produce meat of fine quality ; the flesh is sure to be tough and 
stringy. As to the effect of plucking on breeding stock, Newman says: 
‘Their feathers are an item worth considering, but do not pluck your geese 
twice a year and expect them to be good breeders. A goose so treated will 
not lay as early, nor as many, nor as fertile eggs, as one that is left to go 
through the changes naturally.” 
