278 



Handbook of Nature-Study 



was a moss, tufted, stiff and dry to the touch. I also learned that the goat 

 is safe from predatory animals. With his impenetrable hide and his 

 disemboweling horns he is left by the wolves and mountain lions respect- 

 fully alone." (See American Animals, p. 57 ; Camp Fires of a Naturalist, 

 chapters VIII and XIII). 



Milch Goats Many breeds of these have been developed, and the 

 highest type is, perhaps, found in Switzerland. The Swiss farmers have 

 found the goat particularly adapted to their high mountains and have'used 

 it extensively; thus, goats developed in the Saane and Toggenburg val- 

 leys have a world-wide reputation. Above these valleys the high moun- 

 tains are covered with perpetual snow, and winter sets in about Novem- 

 ber 'ist, lasting until the last of May. The goats are kept with the cows 

 in barns and fed upon hay; but as soon as the snow is gone from the val- 

 leys and the lower foot-hills, the cattle and goats are sent with the herders 

 and boy assistants, to the grazing grounds. A bell is put upon the cow 

 that leads the herd so as to keep it together and the boys, in their gay 



peasant dresses, are as happy as 

 the playful calves and goats to get 

 out in the spring sunshine. The 

 herds follow the receding snows 

 up the mountains until about mid- 

 summer, when they reach the 

 high places of scanty vegetation; 

 then they start on the downward 

 journey, returning to the home 

 and stables about November ist. 

 The milk from goats is mixed with 

 that from cows to make cheese, 

 and this cheese has a wide reputa- 

 tion; some of the varieties are: 

 Roquefort, Schweitzer and Alten- 

 burger. Although the cheese is 

 excellent, the butter made from 

 goat's milk is quite inferior to 

 that made from the cow's. The 

 milk, when the animals are well 

 taken care of, is exceedingly 

 nourishing; it is thought to be the 

 best milk in the world for children. 

 Usually, the trouble with goat's 

 milk is, that the animals are not 

 kept clean nor is care taken in 

 milking. Germany has produced 



Poona {India) goat. 



Thompson. Twenty-first Annual Report Bureau 



^of Animal Industry, U. S. Deparcment 



of Agriculture. 



many distinct and excellent breeds 

 of milch goats; the Island of 

 Malta, Spain, England, Ireland, 

 Egypt and Nubia have each 

 developed noted breeds. Of all 



these, the Nubias give the most milk, sometimes yielding from four to six 

 quarts per day, while an ordinary goat is considered fairly good if it yields 

 two quarts per day. 



