MILK GOATS. 33 



sumed. In some parts of the South kids are considered quite a 

 delicacy and are in demand. They are sold for slaughter when from 8 

 to 12 weeks of age. The flesh of young goats, or kids, is palatable 

 and has a flavor suggesting lamb. If properly cooked, the meat 

 from a mature milk goat is also good eating, provided the animal has 

 been properly fed and is in good condition. 



The prices of goats sold on the market for slaughter are always 

 considerably less than those received for sheep. Goats do not 

 fatten and carry flesh like sheep. Nevertheless it is known that 

 thousands of goats, both old and young, are annually slaughtered and 

 their meat sold as mutton and lamb. 



Owing to the fact that the United States imports in normal times 

 upward of 40,000,000 goatskins annually, it would naturally be 

 supposed that there should be a ready market for all skins that could 

 be produced. Skins from the short-haired goats, such as the com- 

 mon type of American goats of the milk breeds, are the kind used in 

 the manufacture of shoes, gloves, book bindings, pocketbooks, and like 

 articles. As a rule goatskins from the short-haired goat are worth 

 from 25 to 50 cents each. However, in large lots and properly pre- 

 pared for sale they will bring a higher price. The price depends upon 

 the size and condition of the skin. 



PRICES OF GOATS. 



Owing to the excellent demand and the limited supply of milk goats, 

 breeders are naturally asking good prices for stock. Pure-bred 

 bucks of any of the leading breeds cost from $25 to $100, depending, 

 of course, upon the breed, age, conformation, and breeding. Good 

 bucks from record-producing does are usually held at a higher figure. 

 Grade or crossbred bucks may usually be purchased for from $10 to 

 $25. Bucks of such a breed as the Nubian are very scarce and the 

 prices asked for them are usually high. 



The prices for does not only depend upon the breed, age, con- 

 formation, and breeding, but upon milk production. Pure-bred does 

 cost from $25 to $150, while grade or crossbred does range from $5 

 to $50. Persons who wish to procure a milking doe to furnish milk for 

 an infant or an invalid are only too glad, as a rule, to pay a fair price 

 and do not caro so much about the breeding of the goat. It is largely 

 milk production in the doe that establishes her value. 



In some herds, where breeders do not care to raise all the kids and 

 desire to dispose of them as soon as possible after birth, the prices 

 range from a few dollars up to $10 a head. 



