THE HEART OF THE HERD— THE DOES 155 



appetite. Granting these conditions, with care and 

 abundant feed, she should not suffer in her ultimate de- 

 velopment. It would not be advisable, however, to re- 

 peat this early breeding with her daughter and then again 

 with her granddaughter.* 



Indication of Season. — What are the signs of season, 

 or heat, in a doe ( Twitching of the tail, redness of the 

 vulva, restlessness and noisy bleating are the usual indi- 

 cations that she is ready to go to the buck. If not pre- 

 vented she will often break loose and find her way to the 

 nearest buck even at a distance of several miles. This is 

 a potent argument against any community permitting 

 the existence in its precincts of a scrub or grade billy goat. 



Duration of Season. — The does are usually in sea- 

 son, or in heat, about every twenty-one days. In most 

 herds the season is well under way by September, and 

 breedings are dependable through the following months 

 up to the end of February. Many does come in season 



* In the last year or two breeders of experience have been more and 

 more incUned to try out the effects of early hreedinf^, mating does as 

 early as ten months. Complete reports on these tests are not available, 

 liut there seems to be a g-rowing; feelinp that a doe is improved rather than 

 handicapped by early kidding and lactation. 



It is the opinion of the author that the milk gi>ats of the United States 

 have profited immensely by the precept and practice of our pioneer 

 breeders, notably of Mr. Winthrop Rowland, in this matter. The breeds 

 are no doubt stronger and better established than if we had practiced 

 early breeding indiscriminatincly with the imported stock and its increase. 

 Upon the strong foundation thus laid very likely it is now safe in many 

 instances to take a stand for early breeding. If this practice is backed by 

 experience and good judgment, probably no harm will follow and time 

 will be gained. For the inexperienced breeder, however, the more conserva- 

 tive rule is recommended. 



