Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-08-06
SOUTH PARIS, MAINE, TUESDAY, AUGUST s, 1918.


IT. II. sanborn. In New England Homesteada
Twill give some reasons Why I think
the milk goat should stand way mp
among our live stock. Goats are practi-
cally immune TO disease. They ere les
liable to wounds and injuries than any
other domestic animals. An injury re-
ceived 10 quickly and easily treated, a.
the animal is healthy and recovery is
rapid. They are naturally neat and
clean, selecting clean spots to lie down,
keeping their coat always in good condi-
tion. They are the easiest OF animals to
house: large numbers may be kept TO-
gether comfortably. There is hardly
another domestic animal that reproduces
- quickly and in - large numbers. The
products OF the herd are richer and
purer, beth milk and meat, than those
from other domestic animals.
There b always . ready sale for their
pelts. As they grow older they produce
better stock, they increase In size until
they are five or six years old, at least,
aud their milking qualities improve
with age. When turned away to pas
ture they are not as likely to become
wild as other domesticated animals.
They are more thoroughly domesticated.
Their dressing is the richest of manure
fertilizers. They stand change in clt-
mate better than other animals. They
are the most conveniently. shipped from
one part of the country to another Of
any known animal of their size. They
undoubtedly may become moro useful to
human beings in the United states, both
north and south, than any other animal.
Families that could keep no other
animal or live stock may see their way
clear to keep Q few goats. They might
accomplish more for our people than the
reindeer has for the Alaskans.
Their living may consist OF wholly
what Is now going to waste and at the
came time this wastage forms the best
kind of living for milk goats, as 1t has
been proved that they thrive best on
bushes and weeds, which growth 10 q
hindrsnoe to our fields and forests. Il
may readily be deduced what great
advantage the introduction of the milk
goat will be in clearing up this wastage.
Their entire living In winter may be se-
cured from exactly this source by out
ting and drying the bushes In August or
September and stacking them for winter
use. Goats keep In the best condition
on this kind Of feed. Hence milk goats
may be kept in this country In exceed
ingly large numbers without hindrance
In any way to other live stock industries,
as their living draws In no way from the
store of other animals. They may be
kept and thrive like dairy cows on hay
and grain but the dried bushes alone, or
the bushes with small amount of grain,
are far better and in this way the pas
lures will be cleared up for the other
animals.
A good goat, we'll matured, will give
from two to six quarts of milk per day,
while the milk, cheese, butter and cream
each excell the similar product OF the
dairy COW, both In purity and richness.
Phi ysiciaps are generally agreed that
goats milk is one OF the very best foods
for babies and invalids. An average OF
seven out of ten families in Germany
keep milk goats, and q much larger per-
csntage in Switzerland. II the milk
goat forms such great part OF tho
wealth of those countries, 10 there
single reason why 1t should not become
as great source of wealth to usP
In promoting this industry, New Eng
land may truly become an important
starting point as 1t has been proved that
goats thrive here through all seasons OF
the year, while there is any amount OF
natural feed for them. The women and
children of q household may handle and
care for milk goats perfectly when there
might be question about their ability to
manage other live stock. Young goats
make playful and fine pets, while the
older, or driving goats, are sure to find
warm place In the heart of every child.