1907.] Rearing and Marketing of Geese. 



•convex back, and the weight is generally greater than that of 

 the Embden. 



The Canada goose, which is extensively bred in America, 

 thrives better than the Embden or Toulouse on marshy Land; 

 it is more delicate in flavour than the other breeds, and is con- 

 sequently preferred by many on that account. Its colouring of 

 brown-grey, white and black, being very effective, it is in 

 demand — to a limited extent — for the stocking of ornamental 

 waters. 



The Nile goose, referred to by many classical writers, 

 which figures on the fresco "Geese of Medum " (some 6,000 

 wars old) in the Cairo Museum, is perhaps more ornamental 

 than useful ; but the Chinese goose, the breeding of which is a 

 great industry among the floating population on the Canton 

 River, is capable of attaining considerable size, is readily fattened, 

 and has the reputation of being extremely prolific. 



Breeding. — Geese will continue to produce eggs profitably 

 until an advanced age (my own are nineteen years old and have 

 averaged fifty-five eggs each per year during the last five years), 

 and for sitting purposes the eggs of mature birds are much 

 more reliable than those of young stock — the risk of infertility 

 is reduced, and the vigour and hardiness of the goslings is in- 

 creased — therefore rearing is easier and the profit more assured. 

 The breeding pen should consist of a gander and two or three 

 geese ; the geese will commence to lay in February or not later 

 than early March, producing (if not allowed to sit) an average 

 of from fifty to sixty eggs in a season. An ordinary hen will 

 cover four or live goose eggs, ten being a suitable number for a 

 goose ; the period of incubation is thirty daws. The stock 

 birds must be housed in a roomy shed, well littered, and having 

 a wire-netted open front ; when the laying season approaches 

 a rough nest should be made in a convenient place, and pro- 

 vided with an ordinary nest egg. If this is not done the eggs 

 may be dropped near the water. It 1-- necessary that the geese 

 should have access to water not only for swimming but also to 

 ensure fertility in tin eggs. The only supplied food necessary 

 for the stock birds is a small allowance of soft food in the earlv 

 morning, and a sprinkle of corn when they return from the fields 

 at night ; even this is not always required. 



Rearing and Fattening. —When hatched the goslings should 



