MILK GOATS. 



11 



selected in Switzerland by F. S. Peer, and were imported for other 

 persons. R. N. Riddle, of Xew Jersey, imported 20 head in 1905. 

 An importation of 19 head was made in 1906 by Fred Stucker, of Ohio. 

 The latest importation was of 2 head in 1913 by Mrs. Lee, of Toledo, 

 Ohio. 



Very little information is available regarding the milk pro- 

 duction of the Saanen breed. The bureau has not yet owned any 

 pure-bred does. Reliable breeders have stated, however, that their 

 best does have produced from 6 to 9^ pounds a day during their 

 best period of lactation. A pure-bred doe at the N ew York Experi- 

 ment Station, at Geneva, produced an average of 1,421.6 pounds a 

 year for three years. In 1911 she produced 1,845.2 pounds. This is 

 an especially good record. 



FIG. 4. Saanen buck owned by the Bureau of Animal Industry. Age, 2 years 4 months; weight, 



132 pounds. 



At the Bureau of Animal Industry's Experiment Farm, Beltsville 

 Md.. Saanen bucks have been used for crossing on the common 

 American type of does with excellent results. The Saanen is a very 

 prepotent breed, and in crossing with common does not only is the 

 Saanen color obtained, but the size, conformation, and mammary 

 development show great improvement over the common goat. 



Cross-bred Saanen does have a longer period of lactation than com- 

 mon goats, which is of considerable importance. From records kept 

 regarding the Government herd, these cross-bred and grade does have 

 milked from 7 to 10 months after kidding and produced an average 



