UNUSUAL OCCUPATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 63, 12 February 1936, Page 12

UNUSUAL OCCUPATION.

AMERICAN GIRL. Gardening and the breeding of goats seem anomalies as one person’s hobby, but an American girl who recently visited Sydney is much interested in landscape gardening, although she spends most of her time breeding goats at her. home near New York City (says the Sydney Morning Herald). Landscape gardening was the first choice for a career of Miss Gertrude Tompkins. In recent years she lias abandoned it for the breeding of goats. Miss Tompkins lias studied the subject, and her goats are very special ones from Switzerland.

“Goat’s milk is increasingly demanded, not only because of its nutritive qualities,” says Miss Tompkins, “but because in the congested areas one can keep several goats where one cannot, for instance, keep a cow.” There is also a financial aspect to the sale of gout’s milk. In New Jersey Miss Tompkins can soil it at 80 cents a quart as against 15 cents for cow’s milk. In addition, it is in particular demand in hospitals, because goat’s milk, she says, does not carry tuberculosis germs. It is excellent for cliese making and many mothers prefer it for their children. “So, you see,” she added, “it is quite a business proposition.” It is quite wrong to imagine that goats arc not fastidious eaters. The Saancns, the Swissnn bred favoured by Miss Tompkins, necessitate very careful feeding and handling. “It is quite incorrect to believe that goats can exist on tin cans and any old rubbish.” declared their mistress. “For instance, they are very fond of pea shells, but they will only eat them when they are quite fresh.” Miss Tompkins is much travelled and, despite her interest in goats, when in Italy last year returned to her first love of landscape gardening, for. which she holds a diploma.