256 Tht Book of the Goat. 



truth in this it is easily understood that the sex of the 

 goat is of no consideration. Anyway, the slipping of 

 calves amongst a herd of cows is so general and its effect 

 so disastrous to dairy farmers, whilst on the other hand to 

 let a goat run with them is so simple and inexpensive a. 

 matter, that the only good argument that might be used 

 against the efficacy of the plan is that if it were so invalu 

 able it would be more generally practised. 



Emasculation. 



It is a singular fact that by the process of emascula- 

 tion the character and attributes of the male goat become 

 completely changed. He is then as free from smell as 

 the female, and no longer practises those offensive habits 

 which render him when entire such an object of disgust, 

 but becomes well-behaved, docile, and tractable, so that 

 he may be petted and led about even by children. Under 

 these circumstances, also, he fattens readily, and if killed 

 when between one and three years old is really extremely 

 good eating. Not only indeed are the inward qualities of 

 the animal altered by castration, but his outer characteris- 

 tics also undergo considerable modification. His horns 

 and beard do not attain the same proportions, and his 

 coat is often quite short, whilst he loses a good part of 

 his masculine appearance. 



All male kids not intended for stock purposes should 

 be castrated as soon as possible, the best time being 

 between. two and three months old, and before the rutting 

 season has commenced ; it may be done later, but is then 

 attended with some risk. At this age, on the contrary, 

 no ill effects accrue, and although the creature becomes 

 remarkably quiet for a day or two, lies down a good deal, 

 and does not feed so freely, he soon regains his vivacity 

 and former appetite. If older than three months it is 

 better that the goat should be kept apart from the rest, 



