458 



Fattening Geese for Market. [now, 



again, it will be less where a small holder does all the work 

 than where all labour is hired. 



It is desirable to warn inexperienced planters against the 

 •purchase of very cheap trees and bushes, unless they are found, 

 on inspection, to be well up to the mark. On the other hand 

 it is not desirable to pay extra prices for oldish trees or bushes, 

 as those which are two to three years old commonly do best. 

 But weak or stunted trees or bushes are dear at any price. 



William E. Bear. 



RAISING AND FATTENING GEESE FOR MARKET. 



Goose raising, if intelligently and systematically carried out 

 in those districts which are adapted to it, might in a short time 

 become an important rural industry. At certain seasons — 

 especially Christmas and Michaelmas — there exists a very good 

 demand for large, well-fattened geese in almost every market in 

 Great Britain and Ireland, and the prices obtained are remune- 

 rative and should leave a substantial profit after all expenses 

 have been paid. Moreover, for really well-fattened birds the 

 demand is always greater than the supply. 



There are in these islands some very fine breeds of geese, 

 among which may be mentioned the Embden, the Toulouse, and 

 the Chinese, though even in the breeding of these there is still 

 some room for improvement. 



The Chinese goose is a rather small, hardy, and very prolific 

 bird. It matures early, and its flesh is tender and delicate. It 

 can, therefore, be recommended as a useful breed for those who 

 wish to produce geese for the Michaelmas markets. It is also 

 .a good breed for crossing with either the Embden or the Tou- 

 louse when early goslings are desired. On the other hand, the 

 Toulouse and Embden are undoubtedly the best breeds for the 

 production of large-framed, weighty birds, such as are in demand 

 at Christmas. As a table bird there is little choice between 

 these two fine breeds. The Embden is more highly prized by 

 some for the value of its feathers, which are pure white, but the 



