251 
DOMESTIC WATER FOWL. 
GEESE. 
As we have no great experience in the rearing of 
Geese, we shall quote from a very useful work, in two 
volumes, by R. W. Dickson, M. D., London, 1805 : — 
“ There are several distinct breeds of Geese kept in 
different places ; but the largest and most useful sort, 
whether for the purpose of food or feathers, is the com- 
mon breed. 
“ In the choice of store Geese, care should always 
be taken to procure them as large in size as possible, and 
from places where they have been well kept. Geese, 
like most other birds, begin to lay in the spring months ; 
and the earlier this happens the better, as the price of 
early green Geese is generally high, and in some cases 
it may be possible to have a second brood. Both these 
purposes may be promoted by letting them be well fed 
with oats, grains, or some such kinds of food at the 
