Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-07-25
ABOUT MALTESE GOATS.
Animals Flourish Where Cows Would
Starve 70 Death.


For years the Maltese goat ha,
been regarded in all part Of the
world by those interested in raising
goats as very superior animal Their,
must be something in the climate Of
these islands that makes this possible
for pasturage is very scant, and the
herds which are driven out twice a
day seem in some way to find nutri
nent in places where an ordinary
COW would grow poor and pine away
If there is one thing receiving good
care at the hands of the Maltese il
is the goat, and there are stringent
laws in force requiring cleanliness and
attention to its welfare. The popula-
tion Of these islands is about 2O3,00O,
and almost wholly dependent upon
goats milk. A few cows are kept
here, but their milk is not regarded
with favor, owing. to lack of psstut-
age. In addition to the limited herb.
age, the sustenance Of the goats is
added to by feeding them with csrob
beans and mixed cotton seed and bran,
the extra feed costing abont 7 cents
per day per goat, It wonld cost
much more to feed cows to produce
even fairly good milk, which wonld
render the milk too expensive for
general use. For this reason such
COWS, milk as we have is Of very in.
ferior quality, and. very limited in
supply,
II has been estimated that there are
about 10000 goats on the island.
There are two varieties of the goat
the short and long haired In color
they are brown or white, about equal
ly divided. As a rule they are de
horned early. Tho milk produced is
Of very superior quality, perhaps not
as rich as that Of an ordinary COW,
and practically without cream, but,
nevertheless, very acceptable for Ia.
bic and cooking purposes. The aver.
age height of the goat is feet 9
inches, and its weight often reaches
nearly 100 pounds. No special at.
tempt seems TO be made by the herder
in the matter Of preserving or refn-
ing strains, but, nevertheless, the
Maltese goat seems to keep up its rep
utation for appearance and milk pro-
duction. As a rule the Maltese goat
does not breed before IL is IS months
old, and generally breeds once each
year. 1t is not MIXED within three
months Of breeding time, and will
produce milk until it is II or 10 years
old
Very few things are essential to
sare for the goats. They are kept in
herds of from six TO 80 animals, and
lhe attendant often has the full
,harge Of and milks the latter mum.
Der. II is an ordinary sight here 10
zee the herds driven through the prin.
'ipal streets and MIXED at the doors
Il residences where milk may be re.
luired. This occurs not only once,
,ut two or three times each day, and
or this reason househOlders do not
purchase their days supply at one
ime, but in small quantities, as it is
equired. Goats milk is sold at from
10 10 cents a quart. The small
uantity Of cows milk sold is bought |
" few English residents, and costs
bout cents a quart. Goats milk Is
ot used here for cheese or butter ma
ing. There is a variety Of fresh butt
er and peculiar kind Of cheese pro
ueed IN the islands, but II is made Of
heep4' milk. sheep, however, are
cry limited in number, and need hard.
: be taken into consideration. The
ieat Of kids, after inspection by the
ealth authorities, brings about 10
snts pound. The Law requires that
ley be at least month old before
aughter at which time they are TO
eigh not less than ~ pounds Goat
sins are sold with their hair on, and
Tins bring from Is cents each up
ard. The average yield OF the Nal
'se goat Is from 2 to 2h quarts Of
ilk daily. It's keeping quality is
bout the same as that Of COWS milk,
nj it is not uncommon for Il to keep
II "a hours
The average price Of a fair Nal
'se goat is SIS. Some Of extra merit
ing much more.
$500 a. ,1,-....,a