mals compare very well with that of our best meat breeds of sheep and 

 is superior to that of the common goat. The delicacy of their flesh ought 

 to insure a ready market anywhere and the milch goat dairyman can un- 

 doubtedly realize a good profit on all male kids not to be used for breed- 

 ing purposes. 



As a usual thing the meat of goats is termed as "mutton" "goat mut- 

 ton" and "goat venison." When the goats are fattened on grain and fodders 

 the meat resembles sheep mutton, and when they are fattened on twigs 

 and leaves it resembles the meat of the deer and for this reason it is some- 

 times called venison. 



VALUE OF THE SKINS 



THE value of the skins from milch goats will undoubtedly be an item 

 of important consideration to the American goat dairyman in years 

 to come, but at the present time there are too small a number of 

 milch goats killed for the purpose of meat or skins, but of course some of 

 the male kids will have to be slaughtered, especially those from "grades" 

 and poorer milking does as such animals would not do for breeding pur- 

 poses. 



The following is quoted from a government publication: "The skins 

 of milch goats are of better quality than those of the Angora breed, and 

 are the kind used in the manufacture of shoes and gloves, and those from 

 the colder parts of the country are better than those from the warmer 

 parts. Inasmuch as the United States imports millions of dollars worth of 

 goatskins annually, it would seem that there should be a ready market for 

 all that might be produced here." 



Milch goat skins are used by furriers very extensively in the produc- 

 tion of imitation bear skin. Their market value will vary considerable 

 depending upon the seize, age, color, length of hair, and season of the 

 year when taken. 



LENGTH OF MILCH COATS LIFE. 



WHEN a doe has been kept under ordinary good conditions she will 

 be at her prime when from 5 to 7 years old, although good milk- 

 ers are reported at from 12 to 14 years of age; however, the 

 average length of usefulness will be not to exceed 12 years, and if good 

 care has been given them they may be expected to produce kids until that 

 age. 



A doe that gives 2 quarts of milk at her first kidding will often give 

 3 quarts at her third kidding and this amount during her entire life. 



The buck should retain his vitality up to 10 or 12 years of age, if good 

 judgment has been exercised in his management. 



In determining the age of a milch goat, the accompanying illustration 

 and description of same from B. A. I. bulletin No. 68, U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture, will be very helpful to an understanding of this matter. 



"During the first year of a kid's life its teeth are small and even and 

 sometimes separated, as shown in the illustration: the second year shows 



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