The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1915-03-11

iedlHerS were used TO make pillows
and feather-beds.
AT the present time the raising of
geese is not so extensively engaged
in as that of ducks. While the geese
cannot be raised in as large numbers
as ducks, they can be handled with
profit. On many farms there are
places that are worthless for cultiva-
tion that could be utilized with ex-
cellent results in rearing geese. Many
farmers are profiting by this and add
ing considerably to their incomes each
year. And many more might do
likewise.
The care and attention necessary
are small items when compared with
the returns. The cost of food is also
proportionately small in comparison
with that of other birds bred and
reared for market
Adult geese having range will gath
er the greater portion of their food,
consisting very largely of grasses, in
sects, and other matter from the
fields and brooks. During this time
the cost of keeping them is simply
the value of the grass they consume.
However, during the breeding and
laying season, they should be fed in
addition to the grass, a ration twice
day, consisting of shorts and In
dian meal, equal parts. thoroughly
moistened with cold water, but not
too wet lest ii produce diarrhea.
The mass should be dry enough to
crumble. Do not feed more than they
will eat up clean each time.
A Grazing Fowl.
The goose is naturally a grazing
fowl The bill IS provided with sharp,
interrocking, serrated edges, designed
to easily cut and divide vegetable
tissues, and the tongue at the tip Is
covered with hard, hair-like projec-
tions, pointing toward the throat,
which serve to quickly and surely
convey the bits Of grass and leaves
into the throat. Geese should have
liberal supply of crushed oyster
shell, grit and charcoal. Also all the
pure water they will drink.
When mating, for best results the
number of geese with one gander
should never be more than three, and
usually 1t is better if there be only
two. Geese have strong attachment
to their home, and removal at the
breeding season usually has an in
furious effect up on the egg yield and
the fertility of the eggs. When once
mated they are very much attached
to each other and seldom prove un-
faithful Therefore, mismating and
remating are often unsuccessful un-
less old mates are separated beyond
sight and hearing of each other. The
females are reliable and productive
breeders for many years, but the gan
ders often become unreliable after
seven to nine years. When they
should be replaced with young ones.
Much care should be taken in the Sc
lection of the breeders. If possible
have them two years old especially
the geese), large and vigorous.
Necessary Nests.
Early in February make large,
warm nests-barrels placed on the
sides, with clean straw, are good-if
they are comfortable in their quar-
ters and are not disturbed, they will
lay in the same nest every year. Do
not neglect to gather the eggs early
in the morning as they are easily
chilled. the goose covers the eggs
with the nesting material on leaving
the nest but when IL is cold weather
this will not be sufficient protection
from the cold.
When the goose becomes broody
after the first laying, keep her away
from the nest for few days, and she
will begin laying again. lncubate
their first laying with chicken hens,
giving them four to six eggs, accord
ing to the size of the hen. Have your
sitting hens free from lice Treat
them with a good insect powder every
week. Sprinkle the eggs with warm
water twice during the last week they
are Matching, and oftener in dry, hot
weather will do no harm. Twenty
eight to 80 days incubation is re-
uuired for Matching.
Grass is the most important Of all
foods for young goslings, therefore,
II is best not to have the goslings
hatched before there is good supply
of grass, as they devour quite an
amount OF It,
Feeding Young Goslings. !.
The first problem with young gos-
lings is, what is best to feed them to
produce fine, large, healthy birds
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