358 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 May, 1899. 
very dearly, and obtain some fresh stock from honest breeders—there are 
many such—and they will never regret it. The change effected will not only 
be surprising, but pleasing to anh a degree that the old method will be 
discarded never to be again reverted to.—‘ Urinrry,”’ in Agricultural Gazette, 
‘Tasmania. 
HINTS ON DUCK FARMING. 
4 DESCRIPTION AND SELECTION OF STOCK. 
To obtain success in breeding ducks, as in fowls or any other bird or animal, 
those wishing to launch out in the venture must first understand a little of 
the habits of their stock. This is best obtained by a chat with those who have 
had experience in the special line required, for practical experience is gained 
only by much time and labour, and often costs a considerable amount of patience 
and cash. In my former article I gave some ideas concerning localities, mode 
of breeding. The intending duck-breeder must then cast round for stock to 
start upon. If he proposes to breed for the table he must procure breeds of 
large frame, and well laden with flesh; if for egg production, then, as in fowls, 
the smaller and more active varieties are best. 
AYLESBURYS. 
The Aylesbury duck is considered an excellent breed for the table use ; 
in fact, is counted as the bird of the London market on account of its white 
flesh. The breed is of English origin, coming in the first place from the town of 
Aylesbury, in and around which enormous quantities are hatched and reared 
for the metropolis. This is done by cottagers and their families, and the 
industry is carried on in a most systematic manner. It is no uncommon sight 
to see a ton weight of ducklings, says Mr. J. K. Fowler, leaving the district of 
Aylesbury by train in a single evening, and this goes on for months. The 
birds are marketed at from 6 to 8 weeks old. The returns for this town and 
immediate neighbourhood, it is estimated reach the sum of £20,000 annually, 
This variety attains a great size at an early age, and the flavour of the flesh is 
reckoned to be better thari other breeds. ‘They have been known to attain the 
enormous weight of 82 lb. for three birds (one drake and two ducks), but it 
must be bore in mind that for breeding purposes, these exceptional weight 
_ birds are of little or no use atall. A bird weighing about 7 Ib. will produce a 
greater percentage of fertile eggs. In their native village the cottagers keep 
them in out rooms at night, but during the day they have free access to the 
river, and are driven to their various homes at night. To distinguish their 
property, the owners brand their ducks with marks of paint on the white 
feathers. 
The colour of the birds is pure white, with a long head, and long pinkish 
white bill, and legs orange, but in warm climates the bill becomes tanned, and 
appears more orange than white. A good way of keeping the bill clean, is to 
place gravel or coarse sand in the drinking water, which acts as a rasp in 
keeping off all discoloration, but of course these are only minor matters unless 
they are being bred for exhibition purposes. The breed is rather scarce in 
South Australia, only two or three people taking an interest in them. Mr. 
Joseph Smith, of Parkside, having some exhibition birds, while Messrs. C, Rake 
and Sons, of Enfield, have produced some good breeding sized birds. 
PEKINS. 
The Pekin duck, as the name intimates, hails from the “land of the pig- 
tail,” and has proved at any rate that one thing has been imported from China 
that is of value to our country. The Pekin seems to stand our warm climate 
better than most of the other breeds. ‘They began to “take hold” in England 
about 17 or 18 years ago, but are not so plentiful as the former variety, 
although this cannot be said of them in Australia. Their advent into the 
poultry world was heralded with a flourish of trumpets as a good-laying strain, 
and comparing them with various other table varieties, they can hold their own, 
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