DUCKS AND GEESE 



321 



fort and content in fowls are what really turn the scale 

 toward profit. Comfort and content necessarily include 

 good handling, because they mean health ; but that 

 sympathy which may be established between a handler 

 and his charges seems stronger among geese than with 

 any other farm stock, unless it be horses. The dog would 

 be excepted, doubtless, but he does not usually count as 

 "stock." In view of the fact that geese are long Hved 

 and that they grow (even more than other animals) to 

 be confirmed in their " cranks " as they advance in age, 

 it becomes of prime importance to establish at the first 

 and to preserve harmonious relations with them. If, 

 when young, they contract an aversion for, or a hatred 

 of, any member of the family, it seems to become an in- 

 stinct with them, for it can seldom be overcome, and it 

 will be transmitted to all the progeny indefinitely. 



Having become acquainted with the tendencies and 

 habits of the goose family and having, in addition, re- 

 solved firmly to work in accordance with these and with 

 sympathy toward this so nearly human animal, the Be- 

 ginner is ready to acquire some geese. Just because 

 geese are such creatures of habit, it is often best to be- 

 gin with eggs, in order that one may form their habits 

 to suit himself. Hens are best as hatchers. There may 

 be need of both patience and some expense in beginning, 

 because good eggs are difficult to obtain, and young stock 

 may nearly fail in its first year's breeding. 



A Beginner may do well to buy a good pair or trio in 

 the fall and to devote the first summer previsionally to 

 making acquaintance with his stock, raising the few 

 young which they may present to him and bringing the 

 breeders to the proper age for good regular and reliable 



