The Emden Goose.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 20 August 1915, Page 3

The Emden Goose.

Between the two popular varieties of geese —Emden and Toulouse —there isverylittleto choose in point of merit although there is considerable difference in colour and contour. While the predominant colour of the Toulouse is grey, that of the Emden is pure white, spotless throughout, and of the two the Emden is the more graceful. Its head is characterised by iength and straightness, the bill being short and stout. Both bill and legs are orange in colour, and the eyes light blue. The body is long, broad, well-rounded and plump, and the neck swan like, but rather thick. The body is not carried so close to the ground as that of the Toulouse, and its attitude is more upright, sprightly and defiant. In the ordinary way the Emden attains to a weight averaging 201 b in the gander and 181bs in the goose, but it is capable of reaching a much greater weight. In irroducing the best goslings for the table a cross between the two is mostly found satisfactory, resulting in heavier and larger progeny. One cross is desirable, however, as beyond that stage degeneration is apt to show itself in any subsequent generation. Goose rearing is not so much indulged in as the sister industry of poultry, yet to anyone who goes in for mixed poultry farming it will be found a profitable side-line. Of course, geese are principally fed for the table, and their eggs are not much in demand, nor is there a large market for them.