INTRODUCTORY 



Prom time immemorial, the milch goat has been an important 

 factor in the life of mankind. In the Bible, we find it mentioned 

 frequently as a source of supply of both meat and milk. King 

 Solomon ,the wisest of all men, said: 



"And thou shalt have goat's milk enough for thy food, for 

 the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maid- 

 ens." Proverbs xxvii, 27. 



In many sections of Europe, goats are now found in large num- 

 bers, Spain alone being reported as having 3,680,000 and Prance 

 nearly 2,000,000 . In this country, they are rapidly becoming more 

 popular as our people learn of their good points. They are used 

 effectively for converting brush land into superior pasturage at 

 little or no cost, while to the suburbanite or farmer they furnish 

 meat and milk of superior quality and free from tubercular taint 

 at lowest possible cost. 



The milk is not a cure-all ; neither is every one so situated or 

 constituted that they would care to undertake keeping goats; 

 there are, however, very many people whose health would be 

 greatly benefited by the use of the milk, and there are also many 

 who could find both "profit and pleasure" in keeping a few for 

 their home use or in breeding them for sale to others. It is for the 

 benefit of such that this little book is written, and in it I will en- 

 deavor to state facts and conditions as I have found them through 

 actual experience and careful investigation. 



Articles upon this subject which I have contributed to various 

 publications, have brought many enquiries for further informa- 

 tion, and herein I have endeavored to make suitable reply to same, 

 realizing from my own experience, that beginners are anxious to 

 get at the start, detailed information on many points that to the 

 .experienced breeder, may seem superfluous. 



