GOATS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3174, 31 August 1881, Page 4

GOATS.

By the efforts of the Baroness BurdetfcCoutfcs anil others, goat-keeping lias recently reeeiverl a considerable impetus in TCngland. out although this is a subject for congratuafcion, when we are pointed to the herds of oats upon the Continent as an example, it must riot be forgotten that the circumstances are altogether different. Where there are large expanses of coarse and scanty herbage in mountainous districts, while flesh meat is far less in demand f h ■ v"": and it? products, the goat may thrive and pay better than any other animal. But in a cultivated country highly farmed, it cannot possibly •'ompete-with the milch-cow, which can be fattened and sold to the butcher when she ceases to.be profitable at the pail. To be brief, the quality of the flesh is an insuperable obstacle co the goat eve. '.■■ v -"-g a place in England as regular dairy-stock, while its ues.ruct.ive propensities are another very serious objection. The male kids must be »ntf»rt very young, or are not eatable at all; •md the flesh of the female when past milking is practically of no value. Nevertheless it is possible tbat in souie cases a few goats might be a profitable investment, apart from Hie mere cottager and villa resident, to whom the. goat, would often be a great help, but. with whom we are not here concerned. Whenever goats' milk is wanted, about half-a-orown per quart has generally to be paid for it; and as it is becoming more valued than formerly, there is a possible profit here. We do not of course mean that anyone could in the least depend on selling milk at that price ; if ifc were so the case would be clear enough. But where there is likely to be any demand, inquiry might be worth while ; and ifc is needless to say thafc a far less price would yield very great profit. Again, while goats' milk makes bad butter, ifc makes ex•ellenfc cheese ; and ifc is jusfc possible that, ifc •night answer to attempt imitation of the Roquefort and some other of the choicest 'rinds, which, it 's well known Lire made in part from goats' milk. —Dairy Farming.