CHAPTER XI 



THE HALF OF THE HERD— THE BUCK 



The Choice of a Buck. — " The sire is the half of the 

 herd." In the hterature of stock breeding no phrase has 

 become so well worn as this by constant repetition. And 

 if it is true for stock breeding in general, it certainly 

 applies with special force to the milk goat herd. For at 

 the present stage of om- industry the pure bred herd of 

 any size is practically unknown, and the hopes for our 

 future are for the most part centered in the herds that 

 are being patiently built up from om* native stock and 

 pure bred sires. In these herds there can be no question 

 of the truth and significance of this ancient dictum. If 

 we feel convinced of its truth, the greater will be our 

 care in choosing the individual upon whom our fortunes 

 thus depend. 



Breed Characteristics. — Some of the points that will 

 influence our choice of a buck have been discussed in the 

 chapter on the breeds. There are other points, tradi- 

 tionally associated with the breed, that may appear to 

 demand attention in making a decision. One is the state- 

 ment frequently encountered that the Anglo-Nubian 

 buck has no odor, makes no noise, and is ready to give 



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