134 MILCH GOATS 



down either side of the face and around the ears (Fig. 53). They 

 are hardy, gentle, and tractable and are said to yield four quarts 

 of milk per day when fresh. 



Saanen. — This pure white breed was originated and is now 

 kept in the Saanen Valley in Switzerland. It is a breed of com- 

 paratively large animals, a mature doe occasionally weighing 150 

 pounds. They are hornless and being short-haired their angular 

 form is prominent (Fig. 54). The quantity of milk accredited 

 to this breed is from three to four quarts per day with isolated 

 cases of five to six quarts, though two or three quarts would 

 probably be more nearly an average for the nine to twelve 

 months of lactation period or about 1800 pounds of milk for 

 the year. 



Spanish Maltese. — This animal from the Island of Malta is 

 of two varieties, the short-haired and the long-haired. This is 

 the breed which has been so extensively introduced into Mexico 

 and other Spanish-American countries, and the one from which 

 our common goat was probably descended. Some varieties of this 

 breed grow horns, while others do not. They are about the size 

 of the ordinary Angora, and are better adapted to warm than to 

 cold climates. Their milking proclivities vary considerably 

 with the breeding. 



Milk Records. — A goat which gives less than a quart a day is 

 not to be considered a good milch animal. If it yields two quarts 

 it is a good animal, provided the period of lactation is nine 

 months or more. In the European countries the goats which 

 yield from three to five quarts a day are numerous and the period 

 of lactation is a long one (Figs. 51 and 54). 



It is a good goat of any breed that will average two and one- 

 half quarts (5.25 pounds) of milk a day for eight or nine 

 months of the year. One that will give more than this is 

 specially desirable. The Angora goat, which is not considered a 

 good milch animal, gives from two to three quarts of very rich 

 milk but for a comparatively short time. The Nubian, or Afri- 

 can, produces from five to ten quarts per day. The yield of the 

 best goats of Switzerland averages about four qiiarts daily. This 

 amount is not produced without good care and feed, however. 



