144 The Boofc of the Goat. 



best by far, being less wasteful, and at the same time it 

 appears to give more enjoyment to the animals. Mangolds 

 should be given chiefly after Christmas, for when first 

 pulled they are less nutritious and very apt to scour. 

 It is best in all cases to begin this kind of food gradually. 

 Small potatoes called " chats " may be supplied whole, 

 but these, as well as larger ones, are preferred chopped. 

 They require to be carefully washed free of all grit 

 first, otherwise they will be refused. Carrots and parsnips 

 are nice wholesome roots, and, containing as they do a 

 large quantity of saccharine matter, are fattening ; the 

 peelings of these and potatoes are generally eaten as 

 readily as the roots themselves. 



General Garden Produce. Amongst other garden pro- 

 duce may be mentioned the haulm of peas and beans, 

 lettuces run to seed, cabbage-stumps, the early fallings of 

 pears and apples when too small to be utilised in cookery, 

 the thinnings of raspberry-canes, ivy cuttings, the prunings 

 of all fruit-trees, the leaves even of dry autumnal fallings, 

 and the trimmings of hedges and vines ; lastly, acorns and 

 horse-chestnuts. No goat ever refuses the produce of trees, 

 such as fruit or branches : they have an especial preference 

 for the bark and peel, and even eat the wood itself when 

 of the first year's growth. Oak, elm, ash, lime, willow, 

 birch, hazel, vine, and all fruit trees are consumed with 

 avidity. It is said that the peelings of osier and the 

 bark of the willow are a cure for cachexy in the goat. 

 The falling leaves of the various trees above-mentioned 

 are capital food for goats, and much appreciated, as any 

 goat-keeper will soon discover if he watches these animals 

 devour each leaf as it falls in an orchard. 



Cabbages and lettuces will be consumed almost to the 

 bases of the stalks if they are hung up at an elevation so 

 that the animal may constantly nibble without soiling any 

 portion with its feet, otherwise only a small proportion will 



