Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12

on rivers or ponds. A days ride
through tho Eastern Shore section OF
Maryland will convince any one that
there must be profits in geese, for
nearly every farm has its flock.
1t is pretty generally agreed that We
Americans do not raise enough geese.
and that do not appreciate their
possibilities. Europe has always
raised them in large numbers they
are an important source of fats. so
necessary to the human dietary.
..ike the guinea, the goose is not
taken seriously by the average farmer
notwithstanding there is no kind OF
live stock that can be fed with so little
loss and SO little attention. and that
requires such inexpensive equipment
as the goose. They are heir to very
lit;le sickness. In fact, a Eosling one
week old is virtually grown bird,
pasture over which to roam and forage
for itself.
GROWER MAY CHOOSE FROM
SEVEN VARIETIES OF GEESE
There are seven standard varieties OF
geese-Gray Toulouse. White Emden.
Gray African, Brown Chinese. White
Chinese, wild or Canadian and the coll
oreh Egyptian. Toulouse and Emdcn
geese are the most widely bred in this
country, and are to be recommended
! for the average farm.
Emden geese are probably the most
! desirable for all-round purposes. They
are rapid growers; their flesh is fine.
white and OF good flavor; they have u
| wealth OF pure white plumage, which
! has the highest marketable value, and
/ In disposition the Linden is less pug
/ nac;ous, more placid and more con-
| tented than the other breeds
houses Tor geese need be little more
/ than crude shelters. with straw or
similar material for litter on the floor.
! Fleids that are worthless for cultiva-
non may be turned into goose pas
lures. or where there is an abundance
| OF plant life geese may be left to
/ Craze III the same pasture with cattle
| and horses. Many poor pieces Of land
nave been converted into good pasture
lois by being stocked with geese for
few years
Unless too many birds are kept on a
small area. geese will gather the
greater part of their food by forarinr
Tor grasses, insects and other animal
and vegetable life. They may be made
ID Work in the stubbe OF grain fields
In place OF hogs. for it is a simple mat
Ter to drive geese to distant pastures
ana home again at night.
! Although the goose is aquatic. and n
must be admitted they seem 10 do bet
ler when given access TO body o!
| water, especially in the summer il is
not absolutely essential for them 70
nave swimming place any more than
Tor ducks. The greatest advantage OF
4 stream is that it affords a large
element Of food.
one or the most remarkable char.
acte:istics OF the goose is its long life
~ is not uncommon for birds TO live
ntteen or twenty years. and many have
heen known 10 live fifty years. AS a
rule they maintain their laying and
hatchinS qualities throughout life.
THERE Arr: NUMEROUS
POPULAR HREEDS OF DUCKS
The average farm has all the facilj.
tics FOR raising goodly number ot
ducks, which At a very small OUTLAY
! "i!l add considerable to the owners
! meat output Some duck breeders
| claim that ducks are more pron,ahle
! than chickens. because the ducks grow
| faSter and are not bothered with
/ rermin and disease. At present. how
/ ever. there is not the demand for duel
meat or duck eggs that exists 70,
/ chickens and hens eggs though the
forme- are gaining in favor each year
aha now bring good prices.
Pekins and Indian Runner ducks are
the most widely bred varieties in ,hi!