RATIONS AND METHODS OF FEEDING 339 



They should be fed from troughs; the troughs should be 

 kept clean and sanitary. 



The goslings must be provided with an abundance of clean, 

 fresh water. 



On some North CaroHna farms geese are used to keep grass 

 out of the cotton patch. It is estimated that ten geese are 

 equal to one hoeman. The old stock is fed a mixture of corn, 

 wheat, and oats, equal parts, in the morning. 



The goslings are allowed to run in the field and are given 

 additional feed consisting of cornmeal and water. 



In handling geese in the fall they are sometimes moved to 

 fields from which crops have been harvested or turned on 

 fields of Swedish turnips or rape much as hogs are at times 

 handled. They thrive on this forage. The shelter consists 

 of low made portable sheds which are, if possible, placed under 

 hedge or other shrubbery and which may be moved from place 

 to place. Hard floors made of brick or cement are unsuitable 

 for geese. By this method of handling, the quality of the 

 ground is improved by the manure dropped on it by the 

 geese. 



It requires four or five weeks to finish the birds for market. 

 During the finishing period the geese are confined in large 

 sheds provided with plenty of fresh air and light. About 25 

 are kept in each feed lot. When ready to sell or slaughter 

 all should be disposed of at one time. When part of the geese 

 are removed the balance fret and do not, after that time, make 

 satisfactory gains. 



The fattening birds receive two meals a day. Barley meal 

 and middlings are sometimes used. These are mixed in equal 

 proportions and made crumbly moist with water or preferably 

 skim milk or buttermilk. The protein in the milk aids in 

 the fattening processes and improves the flavor of the flesh. 

 Another ration consists of equal parts cornmeal, middhngs, 

 and barley meal. Bean and pea meal are said to produce a 

 hard flesh. Brewers' grain and mashed cooked potatoes 

 mixed with the mash have given good results. The mash is 

 usually given in the morning and a grain feed in the evening. 

 The evening feed may consist of corn, oats, wheat, and barley. 

 Good results are obtained by soaking the grain in warm water 



