If a stream flow through the grounds, in the vicinity of the house; or a
pond, or a small lake be near, a few varieties of choice water-fowls may
be kept, adding much to the interest and amusement of the family. Many
of the English nobility, and gentry, keep swans for such purpose. They
are esteemed a bird of much grace and beauty, although silent, and of
shy, unsocial habits, and not prolific in the production of their young.
For such purposes as they are kept in England, the great African goose,
resembling the China, but nearly double in size, is a preferable
substitute in this country. It is a more beautiful bird in its plumage;
equally graceful in the water; social, and gentle in its habits;
breeding with facility, and agreeable in its voice, particularly at a
little distance. The African goose will attain a weight of twenty to
twenty-five pounds. Its body is finely formed, heavily feathered, and
its flesh is of delicate flavor. The top of the head, and the back of
its neck, which is long, high, and beautifully arched, is a dark brown;
its bill black, with a high protuberance, or knob, at its junction with
the head; a dark hazel eye, with a golden ring around it; the under part
of the head and neck, a soft ash-color; and a heavy dewlap at the
throat. Its legs and feet are orange-colored; and its belly white. Taken
altogether, a noble and majestic bird.
[Illustration: CHINA GOOSE.]
The small brown China goose is another variety which may be introduced.
She is nearly the color of the African, but darker; has the same black
bill, and high protuberance on it, but without the dewlap under the
throat; and has black legs and feet. She is only half the size of the
other; is a more prolific layer,--frequently laying three or four
clutches of eggs in a year; has the same character of voice; an equally
high, arched neck, and is quite as graceful in the water. The neck of
the goose in the cut should be one-third longer, to be an accurate
likeness.
The White China is another variety, in size and shape like the last, but
perfectly white, with an orange colored bill and legs. Indeed, no swan
can be more beautiful than this, which is of the same pure, clean
plumage, and, in its habits and docility, equally a favorite with the
others we have described.
The Bremen goose is still another variety, of about the same size as the
African, but in shape and appearance, not unlike the common goose,
except in color, which is pure white. Young geese of this breed, at nine
months old, frequently weigh twenty pounds, alive. We have had them of
that weight, and for the table, none can be finer. They are equally
prolific as the common goose, but, as a thing of ornament, are far
behind the African and the China. Still, they are a stately bird, and an
acquisition to any grounds where water-fowls are a subject of interest,
convenience, or profit.
All these birds are more domestic, if possible, than the common goose,
and we have found them less troublesome, not inclined to wander abroad,
and, in all the qualities of such a bird, far more agreeable. We have
long kept them, and without their presence, should consider our grounds
as incomplete, in one of the most attractive features of animated life.
It is too much a fault of our farming population, that they do not pay
sufficient attention to many little things which would render their
homes more interesting, both to themselves, if they would only think so,
and to their families, most certainly. If parents have no taste for such
objects as we have recommended, or even others more common, they should
encourage their children in the love of them, and furnish them for their
amusement. The very soul of a farmer's home is to cluster every thing
about it which shall make it attractive, and speak out the character of
the country, and of his occupation, in its full extent. Herds and flocks
upon the farm are a matter of course; and so are the horses, and the
pigs. But there are other things, quite as indicative of household
abundance, and domestic enjoyment. The pigeons, and the poultry of all
kinds, and perhaps the rabbit warren, which are chiefly in charge of the
good housewife, and her daughters, and the younger boys, show out the
domestic feeling and benevolence of character in the family, not to be
mistaken. It is a sign of enjoyment, of domestic contentment, and of
mental cultivation, even, that will lead to something higher, and more
valuable in after life; and it is in such light that it becomes an
absolute _duty_ of the farmer who seeks the improvement and education of
his children, to provide them with all these little objects, to engage
their leisure hours and promote their happiness. How different a home
like this from one--which is, really, not a home--where no attention is
paid to such minor attractions; where a few starveling things, by way of
geese, perhaps, picked half a dozen times a year, to within an inch of
their lives, mope about the dirty premises, making their nightly
sittings in the door yard, if the house has one; a stray turkey, or two,
running, from fear of the untutored dogs, into the nearest wood, in the
spring, to make their rude nests, and bring out half a clutch of young,
and creeping about the fields through the summer with a chicken or two,
which the foxes, or other vermin, have spared, and then dogged down in
the winter, to provide a half got-up Christmas-dinner; and the hens
about the open buildings all the year, committing their nuisances in
every possible way! There need be no surer indication than this, of the
utter hopelessness of progress for good, in such a family.