COMMERCIAL HERDS 53 



Methods of Management. — Such a band, even if half 

 wild, could be turned out on the range in the fall in the 

 care of a herder. In the spring, when the kids come in, 

 the little does could be collected and dehorned, and the 

 buck kids castrated, then left with tlieir dams, much as 

 the kids in Angora herds are handled. When the kids 

 were weaned, the dams could be allowed to go dry, as 

 does of that quality would not pay for the labor and the 

 equipment for milking. This process could be repeated 

 another year. 



The third year the half blood does of the first year 

 would be ready for use. These does, being hornless or 

 dehorned, more or less gentled, and of good milk blood, 

 would now repay their owner for a regular dairy plant, 

 and the poorer foundation stock would be gradually 

 eliminated. The sale of the buck kids for meat would 

 be a substantial source of income, providing the range 

 was not too remote from a market. The surplus milk, 

 after the kids were weaned, could find a market even at 

 a distance in the form of cheese. But the most impor- 

 tant source of income would be from the sale of the 

 annual increase of the stock. 



In order to establish the best possible market for his 

 does, since the herd would probably be too far distant 

 for inspection before purchasing, the owner would have 

 to build up a reputation for honesty and square dealing. 



