200 



OUR DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



In England the British Goat Society, 

 founded in 1879, works in this direction. At 

 the head of it are persons of wealth, whose 

 object is to favor the breeding and rational 

 treatment of these animals among the poorer 

 classes. The society provides instruction on 

 the goat, its milk and meat, 

 hoping to remove the English 

 prejudice against them, as 

 well as to improve the con- 

 formation of the animals and 

 their production of milk. 



In 1903 a Belgian society 

 for the impro\'ement of the 

 goat was formed in Brussels. 

 It has the same object as all 

 the other societies, with this 

 difference, that it not only 

 imports Swiss goats but en- 

 deavors also to improve its 

 own very beautiful indigenous 

 species of the deer goat, on 

 the principle that before 

 attempting to impro\-e a breed as to conforma- 

 tion and temperament, )-()U should first begin 

 by cultivating a pui'e race. 



VI. ClI.VR.ACrER OF THE Go.VT 



Every one knows the gayet\' of )-oung kids, 

 which prompts them to cut the most amusing 

 and burlescjue capers. The goat is naturally 



Plavfui.xess 



capricious and inquisitive, and one might say 

 crazy for every species of adventure. It posi- 

 tively delights in perilous ascensions. At times 

 it will rear and threaten you with its head 

 and horns, apparently with the worst inten- 

 tions, whereas it is usually an invitation to 

 play. The bucks, however, 

 fight \'iolently with each 

 other ; they seem to have no 

 consciousness of the most ter- 

 rible blows. The ewes them- 

 selves are not exempt from 

 this vice. 



The goat is a sociable ani- 

 mal ; take away her companion 

 and she will bleat for days and 

 refuse to eat or drink. She 

 loves to be caressed by man, 

 and is very jealous if atten- 

 tions are shown to a rival. 

 The bucks when trained will 

 draw their little masters by 

 the hour, if kindly treated ; 

 but if they are teased or ill-used, they will fre- 

 c|uently refuse positively to do their work. 

 The)' know very well whether or not they have 

 deserved punishment. Drive them out of the 

 garden, where they are forbidden to go, with 

 a whip and they will flee without uttering a 

 sound ; but strike them without just cause and 

 they will send forth lamentable cries. 



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