Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-06-15

to mature and fatten them. 1t seems deSira
hle TO rear large ones MS there is not nucl
| difference i'll the food consumed between the
| largest and smallest varieties. Geese must
have access to water, and good clear running
streams are preferable to filthy frog ponds,
as pollywogs often kill goslings if many are
| young. The old geese may be picked three
or four times during the summer and fall,
and goslings once If they are early; ii late.
they had better not be picked as the loss i'll
| growth will more than counterbalance the
worth Of the feathers removed. Goslings
are great, awkward, ten, r things until fully
ieathered, and should ave generous al
lowance of wheat braa ud meal daily.
Ducks are not bred to that extent that
geese are, as but few persons have suitable
pnces for them, but when there are ponds
and streams suitably located. they can ho
reared at n profit. The introduction of the
Pekin duck into this country. think, will
cause them to be more sought after than for
merly, as they are large, weighing from six
teen to twenty pounds when fully matured,
and are hardy. have pure white plumage, and
yield almost as many feathers as tho goose,
while the quality is nearly equal.
The Rouen and Aylesbury are the only
other kinds that ase worthy and profitable to
rear. In selecting breeding stock, retain
those that are trim built with rs little PEN
dant fold between the legs MS possible; this is
particularly essential in the males i'll both
geese and ducks, and like geese ought to be
kept short enough through the winter: for if
much corn be gwen them, they will COM
mence laying before cold weather is over, and
AS the duck is not particular about having
any nest until they get ready to sit. their
early laid eggs usually become chilled and
are worthless for Matching. Young ducks
and goslIngs will do much better if kept
away from ponds and streams until one
month old; after that they will usually take
care of themselves if properly looked after
during severe rain storms and fed. Sour
dough is destructive to young ducks and
the best food for them is dry wheat bread
crumbs and plenty OF water in a shallow dish
for the first month"; after that, meal and bran
mixed up fresh is sufficient. Young poultry
of all kinds require food that contains con-
phosphate of lime, and this is
found largely in wheat bran, and until two
thirds grown it should enter largely into their
food; after that the feathers have become
nearly grown and nature is not in want of
any more than the bird readily finds in its
starch after food
THE Cos1 OF TIrING POULTRY.
On farm where they are allowed free
range during most of the year, 10 not think
exceeds ono dollar each per year, but when
they are confined in small pens and yards
this estimate is not enough, and the profit
usually is in the way and manner in which
the poultry Is treated. | believe that if the
same amount Cf money was invested in poul- |
try that you would put into good COW, the |
poultry would pay the per cent. on the capt. |
tai stock, but 1t would want more thought |
and care than the COW. But TO effect this |
and carry out successfully such mode of |
requires study, a love of the |
work and good Judgment in selecting the |
fowls. We are continually hearing about the |
dissatisfaction that exists among the rising |
becoming farmers. Now would |
not little interest in some of the farming
operations. say that of poultry, which every
'on or daughter could properly attend to,
1--WE them better Ideas of farm life, and learn
hem 10 love il in all its yariousdeiails? Say
O the boy er girl, There are so many fowls,
md here is a book for you to keep a strict
Iccount of debt and credit with them; now
measure ont your grain, charge it to them,
md see how you will come out at the end of
he year. Also procure information for
hem, that they may know whereof they are
loing, 10y taking a magazine or paper devoted
o poultry, and if there are any poultry
hows, provide them with means of attend
ng it, OF. what is better, go with them and if
here is not boon displayed some pride in the
are and management of this department,
hen you can certainly set that child down
5 not being cut out for farmer or farmers
site, and some other calling is desirable. In
losing these remarks, would urge upon all
'ho keep and rear domestic poultry, the I'M
.ftn a.atL IL
arm situation and have it especially for
oultry, and then bear in mind the import
nee of having pure bred male. for natures
lws are imnIutable and they hever halt and
ever vary, and if We learn to work with and
trough them in breeding domestic poultry,
e do so at II profit; but If through Ignorance
nd neglect, We suffer them to run us in
ebt, the fault is ours and is chargeable to
ursclves.