408 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



and will pay for the trouble. Willow, oak or any other 

 bitter or acid barks should not be used for this purpose, 

 because they impart unpleasant tastes to the milk. In the 

 summer a good pasture having a variety of forage and 

 fresh water is a splendid place for them. If these direc- 

 tions are observed, goats will give good wholesome milk 

 plentifully. If the milk has an uncommon flavor, the 

 cause is usually in the feed, unless the animals are sick. 



If pasturage is not available, then they should be let 

 out into a clean yard daily, for they must have exercise, 

 as in their natural environments they like to romp and 

 play. Fences must be tight, otherwise the goats will get 

 out even in places where it would seem almost impossible 

 for them to crawl. All braces should be on the outside, 

 and no boards should be allowed to lean against the fence, 

 otherwise the goats will climb over. Breechy goats should 

 be provided with so-called " puzzles " or frames. 



Kids should be separated from their mothers and fed 

 from a nursing-bottle, because their mother's teats are 

 usually too large for them. They should be weaned 

 gradually, and, when they are accustomed to eat well, 

 they will readily take care of themselves, as long as they 

 have plenty before them to eat. Young bucks that are 

 not needed as reproducers should be castrated early and 

 butchered when a few months old. Their meat is then 

 even more of a delicacy than lamb. 



498. Use for milk. Contrary to common opinion, 

 goats have decided virtues and capabilities that will 

 eventually gain for them a prominent place in the estima- 

 tion of the people, especially among the working classes in 

 the suburbs of large cities, and it is not at all improbable 

 they they may win favor even with the rich. 



The principal value of the milch goat is its eminent 



