LESSON TWENTY-EIGHT. 
GOATS. 
1. In ancient times.—The goat, closely related to the 
sheep and the deer, likes 
warmth and dryness and is 
most at home in hot cli- 
mates. Originally it chose 
mountainous regions for its 
home. From time imme- 
morial the goat has been a 
domestic animal. Its cra- 
dle seems to have been in 
central Asia, from which it 
has spread to Europe, Af- 
rica, America and to other 
parts of the world. A fair 
i s 
estimate places the number As FINE AS SILK 
of goats in Europe at 20 millions and in the United 
States at over two millions. 
2. Uses.—In some communities goat meat is rel- 
ished. When kept in sanitary quarters and fed clean 
and fresh forage the meat is considered good, especially 
of the young. Sometimes it passes as mutton. Ma- 
ture goat meat is strong, and of nasty flavor. A great 
field is open for breeding flavor and quality in good 
flesh. The milk of goats has for a long time been 
greatly prized and is approved for infants and invalids. 
The skin of goats is used in our day for the manufac- 
ture of kid for gloves, morocco and other fine leathers, 
and also for parchment. The hair is very useful in the 
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