CHAPTER III 



THE POPULARITY OF MILK GOATS 



WhatExplains Their Popularity? — Wliat are the fac- 

 tors that account for this sudden risv> to favor of the 

 long neglected milk goat^ There are several, but first 

 of all in importance is the growing realization that goat 

 milk has a special quahty and value quite different from 

 that of cow milk. 



Quality of Goat Milk. -T/;f Taste— In the great 

 majority of cases goat milk cannot be distinguished from 

 the best cow milk, except by its superior richness and its 

 pure white color. The conuiion prejudice against it 

 probably has its origin in the fact that until lately the 

 goat in the United States was for the most part in the 

 hands of ignorant or careless peo})le, who did not keep 

 the goats' quarters properly clean, or who fed them im- 

 properly, and worst of all, who often kept a buck, or 

 billy goat, with or near the does. A properly cared for 

 doe is absolutely free from odor, even more so than a 

 cow; but this is not true to the same extent of the buck, 

 especially in the breeding season. The odor of imcleanly 

 quarters, or of the buck, is promptly absorbed by the 

 milk, and gives it such an unpleasant taste that many 



persons are sure they could never use it. This unfor- 

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