“If we could have an irregular shore line on the lake, and at that end where the dam is to be, have it taper off from a lake into something like a natural looking stream and then place the dam almost opposite the dining room windows so the music of the water falls will be heard as we sit at the table, I would like that immensely,” suggested Norma.
“If we had the stream above the dam stretch along as far as that, I see no reason why I should not have my water fowl swim and spend their summer days in the lake. They won’t have very far to waddle to reach the pond, if the dam is so far down towards the barn yard,” said Janet eagerly.
Every one laughed, because Janet planned all things to fit in with her stock’s pleasure and benefit. But Mrs. James added: “Girls, I think Janet’s idea of having ducks and geese swimming in the stream and lake is a good one, as live water-fowl always make the lake look more picturesque. A swan would be entirely too large for so small a body of water, but the ducks and geese will be just the right size.”
“You said you wanted to put goldfish in the water, but Janet’s water-fowl will eat them up the moment they see them,” said Natalie, grinning at her own astuteness.
“If we stock the goldfish in the lake from the first and only permit Janet’s goslings to swim about at first the fish will get accustomed to keeping out of their way and the goslings will not be experienced enough to snap them up at every turn. Then the adult ducks can be allowed to come to the lake when the fish are practiced in dodging their natural enemies,” suggested Norma.
“Or better still, why not have Janet select ducklings instead of grown ducks from Mr. Ames, just as she has the goslings instead of grown geese? Then all the little things can swim about in one happy family, and not eat each other up,” remarked Mrs. James.
“That’s just what I’ll do! I’ll have Mr. Ames exchange the six big ducks I just bought for twenty-four ducklings, as they are four times cheaper than a grown duck.”
“Why didn’t you take little ones, in the first place, if they are so much cheaper. They don’t eat half as much, either?” was Norma’s surprised question.
“Oh, but they do eat—more than big ducks. They can’t pick for themselves and so I would have to feed them cornmeal and cracked corn. But the main reason I chose the big ducks was because Ames said little ducklings were so hard to raise. If I had a nice clean pond of water where they could swim and bathe, he said it would be different, but that ditch running past the barn, was too small and scummy for ducks, he said. With the lake we plan to now have, the ducklings will thrive and enjoy themselves and not be so hard to rear,” explained Janet at length.
“You all spoke of moving the dam down to the barn to accommodate Janet’s fowl, but I say why not let Janet move her duck and geese coops up nearer the place where the dam had best be built, and the water fowl will appreciate it just the same,” said Belle.