Vol. VITT. No. 17.^. 



THE AGRICULTURAL NEAVS. 



55 



INDIAN GOATS. ^ 



As Indian (or Punjab) goa,t§ arfe reniarkalile fm- 

 their sizf^ and milking properties, an ajcempt. wns m.ple 

 in 1905 by the Imperial Departmerjjt of Agiicnlmre 

 to obtain rams of this variety direct froih India, 

 for introduction into the West Indies, where it was 

 thought they would be likely to prove of much value 

 in improving the local breads of goats. Unfortunately 

 the first attempt failed, since two animals purcliasi-d 

 died on the voyage : but in June 1906, two other rams 

 of I h(- Punjab'breed were successfully landed at Barba- 

 dos and proved to be fine animals These are slmwii 

 in the accompanying illustration (Fig. 8). 



The Indian goats are nuiet and gentle, and wlien at 



Fic;. 8. Indian Goat.s at Kakbados. 

 services were in considerable cleniand Ijy 



HINTS TO GOAT-KEEPERS. 



The economic value of goat-keeping tit holders of 

 small areas of land is fairly generally recognized in the 

 West Indies, yet with furthe,r knowledge and care on 

 the part of the owners of tliese animals much more 

 nnirht be done than is at 'present the case. The 

 more genei-al distribution of superior varieties — such as 

 the Toggenburg the Anglo-Nubian, and the Punjab — 

 which is being slowly effected, will be a great help- 

 towards the desired end. 



In resfionse to request, an article dealing with the 

 svstem of brpcdincr. feeding, and management of goats 

 that should be adopted by small holders in Jamaica was 

 given in the October(l908) number of the /ouriKt^ of the 

 Jamaica Agricnltural Society. 

 This contains some useful advice. 

 Poor feeding i.s bad economy 

 with all animals, and with goats no 

 less than other kinds. If goat.s are 

 led well, they grow ([uickly, and 

 mature in about half the time than 

 if tied out on bush land or poor 

 pasture, and shifted only once or 

 twice a day. 



The best feeding for goats is 

 a mixture of husli and grass, and 

 ill addition they will utilize profit- 

 alsly such waste products from the 

 kitchen as yam and potato peelings, 

 mango and banana skins, pea pods, 

 etc. Frequently these materials are 

 given to pigs, but the food necess- 

 ary for one pig will, it is affirmed, 

 suffice for several goats, and the 

 latter animals will be ready for the 

 iLiarket earlier than the pig. Goats 

 ii'i|uiie Httle water, but a supply 

 should always be within their 

 reach. 



Barbados, their 



goatdveepers. Numbers of their progeny can now lie seen 

 about the island, and are valuable additions to existing stork. 

 The kids of any ordinary Barliados goat are, in general, 

 worth from ICs. to £1, hut those resulting from a cross with 

 the Punjab rams have a higher value. 



One of the rams died towards the end of I'.IOT, but the 

 second — 'Rajah ' — is still the property "i the Department, 

 and is at present stationed at St. Kitt's. 



Progeny of the.se Indian goats, more especially male 

 animals, have in .several cases been ship[ied from P>arbados to 

 the neighbouring islands. 



A competitive examination for two ri'overnment Scholar- 

 .ships, tenable at the Dominica Granniiar School, will be held 

 at the School on April o and 6 next. The Scholarshi|is are 

 oiien to boys in the island under fourteen j-ears of age. One 

 .scliolar.ship will be reserved for candidntes whose parents live 

 at least -'S miles from Roseau, and will be of the annual 

 value of £16, together with books and stationery ; in the 

 ca.se of boys residing in Roseau, the value of the second 

 scholarship will be £(>, together with books and stationery. 

 Intending competitors must send in names, dates of birth, etc., 

 to the Head-master of the school before March 27 next. 



Under ordinary circumstances it is of course necessary 

 that these animals should be tethered at pasture, but they 

 should be moved at least three times a day. Goats do not 

 like rain, and it is important that the}' are not exposed to 

 continuous wet weather for any time. In regions where 

 heavy rainfall is experienced, therefore, it is important that 

 a small shed of simple construction be erected, to which the 

 animals can retreat when necessary. 



When a number of goats are kept, and bush or nther 

 such material is availalile, this may well be utilized for 

 bedding purposes in the pen or shed allotted to the animals 

 at night. By this means the liquid as well as the solid 

 excreta will be absorbed. 



Goats not inirequently sufl'er from lice, moie especially 

 when kept in dirty pens at night. In this case they .shuukl 

 be washed with carbolic soap and water, the solution being- 

 well rubbed in by means of a stiff brush. 



The need of care in breeding, as well as in feeding and 

 housing has already been referred to. It is mentioned that 

 one of the most frequent causes of deterioration among goats 

 is the early age at which these animals are frequently allowed 

 to breed. Nannies should not be mated till they are at least 

 eight months old, and only the best billies should be used for 

 breeding. 



