THE HALF OF THE HERD, THE BUCK 99 



service in any month of the year — in these respects being 

 far superior to the bucks of the Swiss breeds. To a con- 

 siderable degree this statement would appear to be based 

 upon the description of the Nubian goat, referred to in 

 Chapter IX, found in Bulletin G8 of the United States 

 De2:)artment of Agriculture. In this description the fol- 

 lowing sentences appear: " The ' goat odor ' so common 

 in the males of other breeds is entirely wanting in this 

 one." " The Nubian is the most peaceful and gentle of 

 the goat family." No statement is made in this descrip- 

 tion of the long breeding season of the Nubian, but it is 

 reasonable to suppose that in the mild even climate of its 

 native home, all year round breeding would become a 

 characteristic of the race. The limited breeding season 

 is a provision of Nature in order that the goats of more 

 northern climates may droj) their young in the season 

 most suitable for their survival. 



We have said that the claims made for the Anglo- 

 Nubian breed in the United States rested in part on this 

 account of the Nubian breed. It rests also in part upon 

 the enthusiastic confirmation offered by many breeders 

 of these Nubian traits as characterizing our Anglo- 

 Nubians as well. On the other hand, we find well sup- 

 ported denials of these claims, offering instances of 

 Anglo-Nubian bucks who were extremely dirty, and 

 smelly, and noisy, and who had their " oflP-season " as 

 well as the Swiss breeds. The explanation of these con- 



