GOATS OX FAR WESTERN RANGES. 15 



however, that where goats are quietly grazed for short distances 

 from the bed ground each day the straying is materially reduced. 



The bad results of the use of a single bed ground throughout the 

 year are uneven utilization of the entire allotment, a large over- 

 grazed area about the bed ground, poor condition of the goats 

 throughout the year, decrease in the value of mohair produced, slow 

 growth of goats, loss and suffering from lack of feed when snow is 

 on the ground, and loss and stunting of kids at kidding time. In 

 addition, there may be injury to timber reproduction, erosion, and 

 even pollution of the water supply to such an extent as to necessitate 

 exclusion of goats from the area. 



Several ted grounds. — The use of several bed grounds at different 

 places on the range aids materially in securing more even utiliza- 

 tion of the forage over the entire allotment, lessens the concentration 

 of grazing, and makes possible the recuperation of the overgrazed 

 areas and the utilization of each part of the range at the most ad- 

 vantageous time. The improvement in the quality and quantity of 

 the forage and the reduction in trailing and driving of the goats 

 results in better growth of goats and mohair. 



Representative kids in two herds using several bed grounds dur- 

 ing the year showed 6.5 and 8.3 pounds greater increases in weight 

 than was made by kids of the same grade in a herd using only a 

 single bed ground for the whole year. The does in all three herds 

 were practically the same size when grazing began. Those in the 

 two herds using several bed grounds were kept in a superior condi- 

 tion, which aided materially in the growth of the kids. Kids of 

 average size and condition in the two herds using several bed grounds 

 weighed in the late fall an average of 38.3 and 40.1 pounds, respec- 

 tively. Representative kids in the herd using the single bed ground 

 weighed an average of only 31.8 pounds at the same time. In this 

 herd a few kids of does in good condition averaged 41 pounds. In 

 the other two herds some kids of does that were in very good condi- 

 tion throughout the summer weighed approximately 50 pounds. 



It is seldom possible to apply successfully the principles of im- 

 proved goat range management when only a few bed grounds are 

 used. The use of many bed grounds, however, makes possible appli- 

 cation of these principles. When a bed ground is used for only a 

 short period the goats can be quietly grazed close by throughout the 

 day. The longer a bed ground is used the greater distance it is 

 necessary for the goats to travel for fresh feed. When a bed ground 

 has been used a week, the feed around it is dirty, and since goats are 

 fastidious animals they trail over much unused, soiled feed. The in- 

 creased trailing- is apt to cause overgrazing, at least to some extent. 

 Just as soon as overgrazing begins to take place, and the goats must 



