HISTORY. 



21 



large supply of milk after the kids are taken away, the profit 

 would certainly be greater than from the ewe under the same 

 circumstances. But as the hahits of a people, with respect to 

 food, cannot without great difficulty be changed, it is probable 

 that, in these Islands, the Goat will continue to be only par- 

 tially cultivated, as now, for the milk of the female. But for 

 this purpose its value, as a source of household economy, is 

 much greater than many imagine. Families who keep a 

 single cow would find a Goat or two always useful, as sup- 

 plying milk when that of the other was wanting ; and expe- 

 rience shews, that the humbler cottagers would derive a profit 

 from having one or two of these animals, which could be 

 maintained on food which the cow would reject. Persons 

 even in large towns could, by means of the Goat, readily sup- 

 ply themselves with milk far superior to that which they can 

 now obtain ; and it is surprising that a method so simple, of 

 avoiding the frauds too much practised in the case of this 

 kind of food, should be neglected. Goats bear well the 

 motion and confinement of shipboard, and are better fitted 

 for supplying milk on sea-voyages than any other animal. 



