The 'British Goat Society. 293 



The JC/f 'Register. 



This is another form of registration instituted in the 

 early days of the Society. It is simply a register of 

 births, and in no sense one of pedigree, having been intro- 

 duced chiefly for the sake of exhibitors, as a guarantee 

 of correct age. Once a goat has been accepted in this 

 Register its age cannot be called in question, whether 

 entered for show or advertised for sale. It is one of the 

 conditions under which a show is " recognised " by the 

 Society that all entries in the kid or goatling classes shall 

 be accompanied by the registered numbers in the Kid 

 Register. A kid can be entered free by members up to 

 six months from the date of birth, provided that a certifi- 

 cate of the date of service of the dam, signed by the 

 owner of the stud -goat, has been sent to the editor of 

 the Herd Book within fourteen days of such service. 



The Stud-Goal 



The next important step was the establishment of a 

 Register of Stud- Goats worthy to be recommended to 

 breed superior stock. Such animals were in those days 

 selected also mostly from the Prize Record, though a few 

 were passed by inspection, these latter being generally im- 

 ported stock. Later they were chosen mainly through being 

 the offspring of proved good milkers as well as of prize- 

 winning sires, both attributes being generally combined 

 in the same animal. These goats, which were stationed 

 in different counties and placed at stud at a reduced fee 

 to members, had a far-reaching effect in improving the 

 milking qualities as well as the type of the common goat 

 of the district, and this result is particularly noticeable in 

 certain parts of England at the present day. All owners 

 of such goats had, and still have, to be members of the 

 British Goat Society, the Society itself owning some stud- 

 goats at one time. As will be seen from the above condi- 



