Money in Broilers and Squabs. 125 



The date of the domestication of the goose is hidden in the 

 dimness of prehistoric times. Ancient writings reveal the goose as 

 one of man's domestic animals valued for the flesh and feathers sup- 

 plied by it for his food and comfort. Since the fourth century, 

 quills from its powerful wings have furnished instruments for writ- 

 ings, valuable and indispensible, until in modern times supplanted 

 by their imitation, the steel pen. 



Geese have a strong attachment to the place or locality con- 

 stituting their home, and removal just prior to or during the breed- 

 ing season usually has a very injurious effect upon the egg yield and 

 the fertility of the eggs. 



According to the Rhode Island census for 1885, the average 

 product per sheep in wool and lambs was $2.51, while the same year 

 the average product per goose was $2.72, or 21 cents more for each 

 breeding goose kept than for each breeding sheep. 



By mating Embden ganders with African, Toulouse or 

 Brown China geese, hardy, vigorous, quick-growing goslings are 

 ■secured, having all the good points of the dark breeds, combined in 

 a large majority of cases with white or pied plumage, and a yellow 

 bill ; birds which dress easily and command the highest price in the 

 ■market. 



The goose is naturally a grazing animal. The bill is provided 

 with sharp, interlocking, serrated edges, designed to easily cut and 

 divide vegetable tissues, and the tongue at the tip is covered with 

 Tiard, hair-like projections pointing towards the throat, which serve 

 to quickly and surely convey the bits of grass and leaves into the 

 throat. 



Geese are naturally timid, watchful and easily frightened, but 

 the ganders, during the breeding season, and in defence of their 

 young are bold and courageous to a remarkable degree. They have 

 many peculiarities which the breeder who would be successful should 

 carefully study. They should be gently and kindly treated at all 

 times. 



Picking live geese is now seldom practiced by goose breeders 

 in Rhode Island. 



Domestic geese in general are polygamous to the extent of mat- 

 ing with two to four females. 



In cold climates shelter during severe weather should be pro- 

 vided, to guard against frozen feet. 



A quiet, docile goose does better than a shy one. 



The New York market depends more or less upon New Eng- 

 land for her supply of green geese in the Summer. 



A gander and a couple of geese are sufficient to start with, for 

 their eggs, as a rule, are very fertile, and they are excellent sitters. 



Geese will come nearer living on pasturage and taking care of 

 themselves than any other class of poultry. 



Goslings come in for the table as "green geese" in the Summer, 

 and should be fine birds for the Michaelmas board. 



Rhode Island breeders have the reputation of producing the 

 largest and best specimens of green geese. They are willing to take 



