FEEDING SHEEP AND GOATS 



333 



The number of goats in other States is very small, and it is safe 

 to say that the goats kept in them do not often receive any special 

 attention as to feed or care; they are, as a rule, kept in very small 

 flocks and are left to browse and find their feed along the roadside, 

 on vacant town lots, and in waste places. 



As in the case of sheep, there are two distinct types of goats: 

 One kept on account of their fleece, and the other type for milk 

 production. The former, which are by far the more numerous in 

 this country, are represented by the Angora goat, whose fleece fur- 

 nishes the mohair fiber ; the latter by imported milch breeds, espe- 



Fig. 96. — An imported Swiss milch goat. (Toggenburg.) These goats will produce over 1000 

 pounds of milk per year, or about one-fourth as much as an ordinary dairy cow. (Peterson.) 



dally Swiss milch goats. Angoras in the far western States and in 

 the north central States serve a useful purpose in keeping down 

 the underbrush; in California and other western States they are 

 used for keeping the fire lines in the forest reserves open and free 

 from underbrush. The goats greatly relish the fresh leaves and 

 buds and tender twigs of bushes and deciduous trees, and keep in 

 good, healthy condition on this feed with what pasturage they may 

 find. Grain is only fed when they are fattened for slaughtering. 

 Milch Goats. — While the Angora goats will do well on brush- 

 wood alone, the milch goats require a more varied feed to give milk 

 of good quality and flavor and to produce milk during a full lacta- 

 tion period of six to eight months. (Fig. 96). Goats' milk contains 



