GOATS 303 
stock. In winter a paddock or small lot for exercise is 
desirable. In either case substantial fences are needed. 
Goats are great climbers as well as great creepers. They 
go over and under things if the opportunity is offered. 
By nature they are climbers; unless trained to do so, they 
will not jump. The fences should be high and of such 
construction as to prevent climbing. 
11. Milking.—Milk goats are milked two or three times 
daily. Regularity is as important with these animals as 
with cows. Gentleness and kindness at all times have 
their value. It is a good rule to wipe the teats and udder 
before drawing any milk. The udder is then stripped a 
few times from above, downward. The milking should not 
be done in the stall on account of odors that tend to con- 
taminate its flavor. 
Each milking should be 
weighed and a record of 
its weight kept for fu- 
ture reference and as an 
aid in determining the 
value of each individual. 
12. Breeding.— As a 
rule goats are very pro- 
lific. From two to four 
kids are dropped at a 
time, depending on the 
breed or race. Angora 
goats breed once a year, 
but other goats breed 
very soon after kidding. 
Maturity is reached in 
from 15 +o 18 months. ONE Way oF MILKING 
lf bred before this time, Ia Europe goats are commonly milked 
from the rear. By placing the goat on a 
. ; box, as shown above, the operation is less 
the offspring are neither box as” 
