Geese for Market Purposes. 
563 
and a fair proportion of the geese thus bred are slightly crested, though this peculiarity is not 
possessed by either parent. It will be found much preferable for the gander to be a Toulouse and 
the geese Embdens, than reversing the sexes, as they breed larger framed and heavier fleshed 
birds, which is a most important feature. 
“It may not in this place be amiss to make a suggestion on feeding. If kept in a quiet, 
partially-darkened place, barley-meal mixed with brewers’ grains fattens them very rapidly ; 
and they will more quickly become reconciled to their new position if a little sweet hay is fastened 
up tightly for them to nibble at, but carefully arranged so as not to get trampled under foot. To 
make the best of such geese, however, they must be well treated from the first, as they when 
thus managed, out of the same gross weight, produce more flesh and a less superabundance of 
‘ goose-oil ’ than when very suddenly fattened ; indeed, this is the case with all water-fowl.” 
These practical remarks are also useful as showing the great utility of pure races, even 
when cross-bred birds are found preferable for immediate market purposes ; for without such pure 
races these valuable crosses cannot be had ; while it is also seen that the produce of cross-bred birds 
rapidly deteriorates. We have discussed the subject before ; but this additional proof of the truth 
of what we have said, drawn from birds bred for such peculiarly commercial purposes as geese, is 
especially valuable. 
Mr. Robert Fowler informs us that the fecundity of geese has during recent years, owing to 
careful selection of breeding stock and more generous feeding, shown distinct signs of improve- 
ment. Many more geese lay now at the age of twelve months than was the case in 1870, though 
no owner should be disappointed even now should purchased goslings fail to lay the following 
spring. The average number of eggs is about fifteen before sitting ; but geese which begin to lay 
in February, which is by no means unusual, will often lay another batch of fifteen after the first 
are hatched. Toulouse geese are still the most popular, and, on the whole, the average weight 
is increased : Mr. Fowler had a goose hatched on April 3rd, which on the January 6th following 
had reached the enormous weight of 34 lbs. Embdens have been comparatively neglected of late, 
which is to be regretted, as many people think the flesh finest in quality of all. 
Some attempt has been made to create a demand for what is called “ Italian” geese, said to 
possess extraordinary prolificacy. Mr. Fowler has found no superiority in this respect ; and as 
they breed to no fixed standard of colour, and are only about as large as the smallest Irish geese, 
they cannot be recommended. The Italian goose we believe to be, in fact, only a degenerate 
Continental mongrel, of no specific character whatever, and far inferior to either of the two 
following. 
THE CANADA GOOSE. — Besides the ordinary domestic breeds of geese, there are 
several others deserving notice, some' of which have been domesticated, and all of which are often 
seen at poultry shows. The first of these is the well-known Canada Goose, or aboriginal goose of 
North America. 
The most obvious peculiarity of this beautiful bird is the long and slender neck, which gives it 
an appearance midway between that of the goose and the swan. Hence naturalists have given it 
the name of the Cygnopsis Canadensis. Buffon states that at Versailles a number of domesticated 
Canada Geese bred familiarly with the swans kept there, and the fact is very probable; but the real 
affinities of the bird are certainly with the Anseres, or goose family. 
The head, bill, and greater part of the neck of the Canada Goose are black, with a white 
“ cravat ” at the throat, which gives it rather a peculiar appearance. The feathers on the upper part 
of the body are a brownish-grey, with light edges. The dark upper plumage passes though grey 
