I'arm Poultry. 
81 
not increase in weight for another eiglit or ten weeks. Hence, there 
is no advantage in allowing them to remain over twelve weeks 
before killing them. The secret of success is to feed the young 
ones as rapidly as possible and get them into the market at the 
earliest possible period. Those ducks that are intended for 
stock, and not for killing, may be allowed to go into the^water 
after some three or four weeks, but permitting them to swim 
when growing does not tend to increase their size. 
The Aylesbury are by far the most profitable breed for market 
pui-poses ; they are good layers and heavy birds. The Pekin 
breed, which has been introduced from China within the last 
few years, does not weigh as much as the Aylesbury, nor is it 
as advantageous for market. The ordinary coloured breeds of 
ducks are not so desirable, as the dark colour of the down, 
which is difficult to remove entirely, before sending to market, 
renders them less attractive in appearance when killed. In 
purchasing Aylesbury ducks for stock, the greatest care should 
be taken not to procure over-fatted specimens in wliich the belly 
trails on the gi-ound. These are never fertile, both drakes and 
ducks being absolutely useless. 
~ Geese. 
Geese will be found to be advantageous only under certain 
conditions. Where there is an opportunity of their grazing 
without expense, in the short grass of commons, they can always 
be kept to advantage. The large size exhibition geese are not 
to be recommended for farm purposes, as they are by no means 
good layers, and frequently are absolutely sterile. For the 
market the ordinary saddle-backed grey and white geese, if 
selected of good size and quality, are as good as can be em- 
ployed. Geese as well as ducks should have a house to them- 
selves, removed from the ordinary poultry. An unused pig-sty 
makes an excellent goose-pen. The nest should be made in the 
corner with mould covered with straw, and large enough for 
the goose to sit comfortably without risk of crushing the eggs. 
The young are hatched after thirty days, and may be fed at 
first with meal and milk. A little custard is also advan- 
tageous, and so are chopped Icittuces and fine grass. The 
young at first need not be allowed to go to the water, as a large 
milk pan, half full of pebbles and water, is all that they require. 
After about a week no further care is necessary for them except 
giving them food. The most advantageous way to do this is to 
put the grain in a trough of water. 
VOL. II. T. s. — 5 a 
