IN GOAT-KEEPING 35 



with goats in general and it would seem as if the permanent 

 success of a goat dairy depended upon the gradual building up of 

 a herd in which the Fall and Winter milkers would be in proper 

 proportion. Those considering this branch of the goat business 

 would do well to proceed slowly and determine by experimenting 

 on a small scale what can be done. 



RENTING GOATS. 



It often occurs that a person is desirous of trying goat's 

 milk for an infant or an invalid and yet does not want to pur- 

 chase for fear the results might not warrant their retaining the 

 goat permanently. When it is impossible to purchase the milk, 

 the plan is sometimes resorted to of renting the goat at so much 

 per month. The advantages of this plan are at once apparent, 

 and it can easily be made very profitable to the goat owner who 

 has a few extra does for the purpose and who advertises accord- 

 ingly. The price charged would naturally depend upon the 

 amount of milk the goat gives, and should be arranged upon a 

 sliding scale, decreasing month by month. 



REGARDING PRICES OF STOCK. 



The majority of people fail to realize at first the true value 

 of a good milch goat, but a little study of the subject and com- 

 parison of values will show that the prices generally asked are 

 not excessive. The breeder who succeeds in producing good 

 stock is entitled to a reasonable reward for his efforts and the 

 supply is so far short of the demand that he seldom has difficulty 

 in getting it. Kids that are not good enough to be raised can 

 usually be sold alive in the vicinity of our large cities at from 

 $2.50 to $3.00 each, when three to four weeks old ; they are used 

 for roasting and are considered a great delicacy, i)ut are not de- 

 sired for this purpose after being weaned. Many buck kids are 

 sold for cart goats or pets for children and at six weeks of age 

 bring about $3.00 each. If the owner kills the kids for his own 

 table, the skins can usually be disposed of at twenty-five cents 

 each. Where much of the food must be bought there is no profit 

 in raising kids from common stock, whether they are bucks or 

 does, and the profitable plan is to sell them as soon as possible for 

 the best price obtainable, or kill and dress them for the table. 



If the kids are grades their value depends upon their indi- 

 vidual markings and the percentage of pure blood. If inferior, 

 they should be disposed of, same as common stock and only the 

 best retained or offered for sale. Swiss grade buck kids sell for 

 $5.00 to $15.00, according to age and pedigree, and doe kids from 

 $10.00 to $20.00. Nubian grade kids from $10.00 to $30.00. Good 

 Swiss grade does, giving 2 to 4 quarts per day, that are fresh or 

 with kid, sell for $25.00 to $50.00, according to pedigree, age, and 

 milk record, while Nubian does bring somewhat more. 



