196 MODERN MILK GOATS 



In other cases a long haired doe is merely trimmed 

 across the shanks and around the udder. If either of 

 these practices is to be followed, the clipping or trim- 

 ming should be done some time before the show, so that 

 the hair may have time to even up and to lie smoothly. 

 The gloss of the coat is enlianced by close housing and 

 the use of a blanket for some time before exhibiting. It 

 is a question whether these artificial devices are desirable. 

 They make the doe unnaturally susceptible to chill, so 

 increasing the risks of exhibiting. Normal good care 

 and good condition will usually produce an appearance 

 so satisfactory that one should hesitate to subject an ani- 

 mal to this extra risk. 



Hoofs. — What has been said elsewhere on the care 

 of hoofs should be specially in mind for the animal that 

 is to be exhibited. Not only must the feet be carefully 

 trimmed at the last minute, but long before the show 

 they must be watched to make sure the growth is quite 

 true and even. 



Milk Records. — Too much importance cannot be 

 given to the need of definite records, especially in herds 

 where pure bred bucks are offered for sale. By means 

 of convenient equipment and regular system the labor of 

 record keeping can be so reduced that no one will have 

 an excuse for omitting this important detail of 

 goat keeping. 



