^^^^^^1" I Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2010 with funding from Tine Library of Congress http://www.arcliive.org/details/newindustryorrai01blac A New Industry, Raising the Angora Goat, and Mohair, for Profit, Embracing the Historical, Commercial, and Practical Features of the Industry'; together with Notes from a number of Practical Breeders giving their experience in handling the animal; with Tables showing the great Profit in Rotising the Angora., or Mohair, Goa.t, A number of Letters from Farmers, and I^anchmcn, in Iowa, Oregon, California, and other States, concerning the utility of the Angora Goat in Clearing Brushy Land, and How the Work is Done. WITH A COMPLETE MANUAL UPON THE Care and Marvag'emervt of Goats, AND How to Gra-de Up the Common MexicaLn,,Gg^t, Append i.:^" ' ;'** { ': ;*•.•:* .*.:*.* :*'••. Containing a Paper on the celebrated "Cashmere Goat" of Asia; the "Llama" and "Alpaca" of Peru, in South America; the "Rocky Mountain Goat" of the United States, and the "Ibex" of Asia. TOGETHER WITH A FORMULA FOF Dressing the Angora. Goat Skin JD OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INDUSTRY. Fully Illustrated, WM. L. BLACK, OF TEXAS. FORT WORTH, TEXAS. LStorarv «rf Conyresa 0T>5-j^''*' Copies Receivfd DEC 1 1900 nasi copy. Coi'ykh;ht, 1900, liY Wm. L. IJl.AfJK. Imperfect Claim. TO THOSE KNTEKPRISING AND PERSEVERING CITIZENS OF THE UN.TED STATES OP AMERICA, WHO, WITHOUT GOVERNMENTAIi ASSLSTANCB, HAVE I>AID THE FOUNDATION FOR A BRANCH TO OU R AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY, IS THP: raising of the angora goat, and MOHAIR, WHICH PROMISES TO BE OF GREAT NATIONAL BENEFIT, THIS WORK IS RESPECTFUr.LY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. Table of Contents. PAGE Introdtjctor3- remarks i oo HISTORICAL. CHAP. I. When. -R-here and how, did the Angora goat originate... 25 II. The Prorince of Angora .31 III. Distrbution of the Angora goat into other countries.... 34 IV. Character of the earlj^ Angora goat 40 V. Introduction of the Angora goat into the United States. 45 VI. Subsequent importatons into the United States 48 \ II. Spread of the Angora goat industr}' throughout the various States and Territories .. 52 VIII. Census of .Angora goats in the United States 103 IX. "Why the industrv' has made such slow progress in the United States and what we can expect in the future. 10.9 X. Concerning the manufacture of Mohair in Asia Minor, England and the United States 117 COMMERCIAL. XL Where to sell ]\Ioh&ir and how it is graded 135 XII. How to prepare Mohair for market 145 XIII. The trade in -Angora goat skins and how to prepare them for market 147 XIV. Concentrating upon one market 151 XV. Angora venison, as a salable product 154 XAT'I. Is there any danger from over-production 15.9 XA^II. Tarif? on Mohair, live goats, and .\ngora skins ItJl PRACTICAL. XA^III. The science of breeding, our past experience, and the result of crossing the common goat with the Angora 173 XIX. Cross breeding, or how to grade tip the Mexican goat. . 243 Index to Illustrations — Continued. IT^TE PAGt: XXIII. Group of thoroughbred Angora goats (Ham & Baylor). SO'T XXIV. Two thoroughbred bucks and one doe (.Hani & Baylor).. 311 XXV. Thoroughbred Angora buck (Hughes) ol-t XXVI. Thoroughbred three-year-old doe (Hughes) 315 XXVII. Angora buck, twenty-one months old (Arnold) 31T XXVIII. A group of yearling Angora goats (Fuchs) 321 XXIX. A group of thoroughbred Angora does (Houck) 325 XXX. Thoroughbred Angora doe, yearling and kid (Conk- Hn Bros.- 32^ XXXI. Group of Angora goats (Hightower) 333 XXXII. Yearling Angora Buck (Taylor) 335 XXXIII. ihoroughbred Angora does, twenty-one months old (Standley) 337 XXXIV. Flock of thoroughbred Angora goats (Harris) 341 XXXV. Group of thoroughbred Angora goats (.Harris) 345 XXXVI. Thoroughbred Angora kids, after weaning (Harris) 385 XXXVII. A doe bringing her kid to camp 398 _XXXVIII. Dug out 132 XXXIX. Portable camping outtit 170 XLf. Cashmere (doe) goat 454 XLI. Rocky Mountain goat? 4t)2 XLII. Group of Alpacas 4t)l) XLIII. Ibex 480 TWO PRETTY KIDS, I'roiu fi iihotii.nraph ta:;e'.i cii thf raiiclie (if the author. PREFACE. When this work was commenced, in the early part of 1899, it was for the purpose of supplying a demand for information from farmers in the Northern states, whose attention had been called to the Angora Goat as a Brush Exterminator. They had heard of the wonderful saving of labor in clearing away briers, and brush, by the use of this animal, and many were anxious to purchase some, but were totally ignorant of their habits, and how to breed them. The great call for information, touching these questions prompted me to write a complete manual, through which a stranger might understand how they are han- dled ; and, as I pursued my work, I learned of the existence of a non-shedding type of Angora, as well as a hornless variety, which I considered to be of such importance to the old breeders in the industry that I determined to delay its publication until I could investigate more fully into the merit of the matter. I distributed a large number of question-blanks over all the States, that had been raising them, asking breeders if they had ever observed any such types of goats in their flocks, and, am pleased! to say, I have received an abundance of testimony as to the existence of the same, and I feel quite sure that the discovery will be received with great delight by all who are interested in this new industry, particularly the non-shedding type ; for, if there is any one objectionable part to the raising of the Angora goat, it is the unfortunate feature of casting its hair so early in the spring, necessitating the early shearing of the animal to prevent the loss of the valuable fleece, which so often results in the death of many from a sudden change of weather, or a cold, rainy, season. Col. Richard Peters, of Georgia, always maintained that, the most serious objection he had ever experienced with the Angora Goat, was its tendency to shed its fleece too early in the spring. If they can be made to retain their fleece as securely as the sheep does, so as to admit of shearing at the pleasure of the breeder, a great drawback in the industry will be overcome. That such a type as non-shedding Angoras exist, there can be no doubt ; and, whether it has been produced by a freak of nature or has been evolved through the action of the American climate, or by crossing with our short-haired varieties, I cannot say. I realize the importance of the changed condition of the animal, and feel certain that all old breeders will rejoice to hear of it. The hornless variety is another valuable type ; and, although not at all new, has been entirely overlooked by most breeders. The horns of an animal were undoubtedly provided by a wise Creator, as a means of defence ; and, in a wild state, are very useful, and necessary; but, in a domestic condition, they are a very decided objection in many respects, and should be removed. The advantages of ho7'nlcss stock are so well known it is hardly necessary that I should dwell on the subject. It was to be able to show, by the testimony of practical breeders, of the existence of these tv/o new varieties of mohair- producing goats (which I have arranged under appropriate headings), and to secure some photographs of representative American goats, showing their full fleece, that compelled me to delay the publication of my work, which I am sure will be more generally useful now than it would otherwise have been. I regret that many of the breeders were unable to supply me with photographs of their goats, and that so few of those I received show a full year's growth, which is due to shearing twee a year, a custom that, unfortunately, seems to prevail largely with the breeders of our finest animals. Such as I have received, however, will afford a very good illustration of the great improvement that has been made since the introduction Mof the animal to this country. WM. L. BLACK. Fort McKavett, Texas, June, 1900. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. I shall not undertake to investigate very closely into the origin of the Angora goat. This has been attempted by a number of writers, in the past, and there seems to be as much doubt, today, as to how the animal originated, as there is about the origin of man. Some writers believe that the Angora and sheep were, at one time, very closely related to each other ; but, if they ever were, there must have been a serious rupture in their family relations at some time or other, for they have not been known to mix with each other for many centuries. Others claim that it originated from the "Ibex," an animal resembling the goat in some respects ; but I am not willing to accept this theory, either, for the reason that, the period of gesta- tion with the "Ibex" is only ninety days, while with the Angora it is about 150, and I can't well understand how there can be any close family relationship between the two. Another school of naturalists claim that the Angora sprang from the "Wild Goat," or Pesang of the Persians, an animal found in the mountainous regions of Central Asia, resembling the domestic goat very closely. A wiia goat is also found in the Rocky mountains of America, which is no doubt of the same family as the Asiatic wild goat. Judging from the looks of the two animais, the "Ibex" and the "Wild Goat," I think it more than likely that the Angora goat originated from the latter; but, I confess my entire ig- norance of the subject; and, it seems to me, it is of very little consequence how the human family have come into possession of this animal. We know we have a goat, known to the commercial world as the "Angora," and, whether this particular species belongs to the family, called by naturalists, the Capra acgagnis, or the Capra hircus, makes but very little difiference, as far as I can 12 A Neiv Industry. see. It is an interesting study, I admit, but there's no money in it, and I shall leave the question to minds more scientific than my own to determine, and will endeavor to show my read- ers the practical value of the Angora Goat in a purely business sense. I shall place in my appendix correct photographs of the "Ibex," and "Wild Goat," with a full description of their general make-up, habits, etc., and my readers can form their own conclu- sion ; and, by way of assisting them to reach this conclusion, I refer to the following authorities : Jno. L. Hayes, L. L. D., "Angora Goat, Its Origin and Culture." J. G. Wood, "Natural History." R. Ramsay Wright, Ph. D., "Riverside Natural History." Lydekker, "The Royal National History." Mr. S. C. C. Schreiner, of South Africa, has more recently (1898) published a work through Messrs. Longmans Green & Co., of New York, which is perhaps as complete upon this subject as it is possible to make it. Mr. Schreiner has undoubt- edly made a very close study of this matter, and has quoted from all the authorities I have named, as well as others. He also gives a most interesting account of the Angora goat industry in South Africa, and I can commend his book as being one of the most painstaking, with reference to the origin of the animal, of any I have ever read on this subject. My first experience with goats began in the year of 1876 in the State of Texas. In connection with raising sheep, I learned that Mexican herders preferred to eat goat rather than sheep, and being much the cheaper animal of the two, I purchased a small flock for the purpose of supplying my herders with fresh meat. About the year 1881: my attention was called to the Angora as being a superior breed, and possessing greater commercial value than the common species {Mexican), which I had on hand. I found out that I could very easily grade up my common goats by introducing full-blooded Angora sires; and I therefore pur- chased from Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, eight males and four females, which cost me close to $750 delivered Introdncfory Remarks. ij at my ranch, or about $60 for each goat. This appeared to me as being an enormous price to pay for goats, but the investment turned out a very good one. In a few years I had improved my flock to a condition which justified me in shearing, and I then commenced to enjoy a revenue which I had never counted on; for, in addition to supplying my ranch with an abundance of fresh meat, I received, annually, quite a handsome return from mohair, and my goats increased so rapidly that, in 1892, I had upwards of eight thousand, head of well-graded Angoras, many of them being very superior. I figured that unless I could thin out my stock of goats they would very soon overrun my ranch ; disease and poverty would occasionally thin out my sheep and cattle, but my goats seemed to be proof against these two power- ful elements, for it was only once in a while that a few old does would die from extreme old age. I inquired of a personal ac- quaintance, who was engaged in the meat packing business, if he would purchase a thousand fat wether goats ; but he declined to do so, and explained to me that goat meat was not at all fashionable ; and, although he knew it was quite as good as sheep, he could not venture to slaughter them in large numbers until the people had overcome their prejudice for it. I knew I could dispose of them in a retail way, in the small towns in Texas, but the expense, and annoyance, attending this plan was too great for me to attempt, so I determined to slaugh- ter them myself for their hides and tallow, and put up the meat in hermetically sealed tin cans. I procured the necessary machinery for this purpose and slaughtered 3000 head that year (1893), and in 1894 I slaughtered 4000 more, which reduced my number to a more reasonable size. I realized from the sale of canned meat, tallow and hides (the latter I had dressed for making into rugs and robes), about $3.00 to the animal, and, considering the fact that I had never regarded the goat branch of my ranch interests as being of any importance, I was well pleased with this result. I found no difficulty, whatever, in find- ing ready sale for my dressed skins, selling as many as one thousand to a single wholesale house in Chicago ; and, the brokers through whom I placed my tallow have been exceed- 1 4 A Nezv Industry. ingly anxious to receive more ever since. They reported to me it was of a superior character, and would command a pre- mium over ordinary tallow for making fine candles. In 1896 my goats had again increased to a considerable number, and I concluded, rather than resume my slaughtering operation, to dispose of my surplus stock to others who might be disposed to engage in raising them. I had become very much interested in the beautiful little animal ; and, from investi- gation, was convinced that the United States was better adapted to the propagation of this class of livestock than any other part of the world, not excepting Turkey in Asia, where, it is sup- posed, they originated. It is true. South Africa has made greater headway in breed- ing them than we have, but this can be very easily explained, and I shall probably refer to this matter later on. We have had ample time to test the merits of our climate, and the opinion of manu- facturers is that American-raised mohair is fully equal, if not superior, to any that is produced in either Asia or South Africa. Some of them claim that the American product makes a smooth- er fabric, but of course our entire clip will not do this, for the reason that many of our flocks are only partly graded ; but the higher grades of American goats will bear comparison with the best in the world, not only as to quality, but in their shearing capacity as well. In addition to this, our goats have never de- veloped any disease, while in both Asia and South Africa (which, by the way, are the only parts of the world where the Angora goat is raised, outside of our own country), they have suffered serious losses from pleuro-pneumonia, scab and other diseases. In Mr. Schreiner's work, on the Goat industry in South Africa, he makes especial reference to the "Pleuro-Pneumonia Epi- demic in the Cape Colony," upon page 219, of his book, and believing it to be of some interest to the breeders in the United States, to know the history of this epidemic, and how it was finally controlled, I shall take the liberty of copying it in full, which may be seen under the head of "Diseases." In view of the foregoing facts,Iconsidereditacrime upon my part to put the knife to animals which I believed could be made Introductory Remarks. 75 so useful and valuable to others ; particularly when there was such a limited number of them in this country, and the cost of importing- them was out of all reason. I, therefore, decided to publish a little booklet, setting forth some of the advantages of the goat industry, and calling upon farmers in the Northern States to take advantage of the opportunity offered them in this new, and valuable, industry. It was not long before I had a number of inquiries, asking all manner of questions ; whether they would live in a cold climate; what kind of fence was neces- sary to hold them, etc., etc. In the early part of 1897, Dr. J. R. Standley, of Platteville, Iowa, visited my ranch for the purpose of interesting me in shipping some into his State to be sold at pubhc auction. He explained to me that he had succeeded in clearing about 500 acres of his farm that had been covered so densely with brush, as to be practically worthless until he began running goats upon it, and it was now the finest portion of his farm, being well set with blue grass, and perfectly free from brush and weeds. He was well satisfied I could dispose of all the goats I would send there, and the fact of his having traveled upwards of fifteen hundred miles to see me, and his great enthusiasm on the sub- ject, gave me confidence to make the experiment; and I at once entered into an agreement to ship one thousand goats to be sold at auction on his farm. Our sale took place in July and was entirely satisfactory. In the fall, of the same year, I made him a second shipment of one thousand, which were sold in December. The following year (1898) I concluded I could not repeat my shipments in such large numbers, and determined to wait until the purchasers of my goats, at the "Standley sales,'' had had sufficient time to prove the value of them, fully expecting to be able to sell all that I cared to, from the introduction I had made. In this, I was not disappointed, having reduced my individual holdings to one flock of about a thousand head, and have had to purchase a great many from my neighbors to fill the orders I have received. From the time that Dr. Standley first visited me in 1897 I have shipped upwards of fifteen thousand goats to the state of Iowa alone ; i6 A New Industry. and have had inquiries enough from farmers in that State and others to absorb every Angora goat there is in the United States. I commenced selhng at $3.00 per head, because it paid me a fair profit in raising them ; but, very few ranchmen were situated Hke myself ; and, when asked to sell their smaller flocks, they put a price on them that made it impossible for me to con- tinue my sales at that low figure. I knew, furthermore, that it would be impossible to find enough graded goats to meet the demand that was springing up all over the country, and this gave rise to the idea which prompted me in writing this book. I realized, if the farmers of the United States expected to engage in the Angora goat industry they would have to begin at the bottom like we all had done, and grade up the smooth-haired goat. We have an abundance of full-blooded males to stock the entire country, but the Mexican female must be used as a foundation if we expect to build up the industry in any reason- able time. This was the course pursued in South Africa, except that they used the Boer goat instead of the Mexican, which are practically the same class of stock, strong and vigorous, with smooth hair ; and it was followed in Turkey, to a large ex- tent, as soon as the demand for mohair exceeded the annual supply, which took place between 1860 and 1870. Mr. Schreiner refers to this in the following language : "The European demand for mohair became so great, that it was im- possible for Asia Minor (which practically had a monopoly of the trade till the early seventies) to meet it merely by the normal increase of the pure Angora goats. It was therefore necessary quickly to obtain a more rapid increase in the number of i.aohair goats than could be ob- tained through the normal increase of the pure Angoras; and, at the same time, a larger area of country was essential for the production of the amount of mohair required. "To secure these ends the Turkish farmers resorted to grading up the common ewes by means of in-breedirg to Angora rams. The mo- hair demand being so great, in proportion to the supply, quality ceased to be the first essential; weight of fleece was required and a large num- ber of goats. * * * With this end in view, crossing became very general, and was so persisted in that in the early sixties the original pure Angora was becoming very scarce. * * * By its means, en- Introductory Remarks. ij tirely new districts were rapidly populated, indeed such a hold had this method of increasing the numbers of the mohair goat obtained on the Turkish farmers, and so eager were they to avail themselves of it, that, not content with introducing Angora rams into flocks of Kurd ewes in outsides districts, they actually imported the Kurd ewes into the very center of the mohair region — the home of the pure Angora — and, put- ting them to Angora rams, graded them up there." It is very popular with American farmers to want the very best class of stock that can be obtaineu, and I recognize this a-; being true economy not only in live stock but in all kinds of farming machinery, as well as in manufactured goods for home use. I think it will justify paying a very high premium to get well-improved Angora goats rather than begin on the smooth- haired Mexican — but, if these cannot be had, there is no other remedy than to begin with the low grade. We have reached a point in the United States similar to that which existed in Tur- key, between 1860 and 1870, with the exception that, the demand in this country calls for goats to exterminate brush, in place of supplying a larger amount of mohair. The common goat will answer the purpose we need them for, even better than the Angora, from the fact they are stronger bodied, and are not burdened with long hair, which is often torn out on the brush when feeding. In my chapter referring to Cross Breeding I shall give pho- tographs showing the dififerent grades of Angoras, which will convey a fair idea of the rapid change that can be made in these common goats. There is perhaps no animal that will stamp his progeny so decidedly as the Angora goat will ; and, it is only necessary to get full-blooded males to be able to build up a good flock of shearing goats in a very few years. Referring again to Dr. Standley's work of clearing land, I shall procure and place a photograph of the land he cleared of hazel brush, imder my chapter on "Clearing Brush Land, and How the Work Is Done." It is well worth a trip to the farm of this gentleman, in Taylor County, Iowa, to see the marvellous change that was made in two years' time by the aid of goats. Up to the very edge of the wire fence, dividinsf his land from a neighbor's, the Doctor's 18 A Nezv Industry. land is finely set in blue grass, while not a blade can be seen (or any other kind of grass) on the other side. When I first visited this farm it was a revelation to me. I always knew the goat would eat brush, but I had no idea it could be turned to such a useful purpose as Dr. Standley's work will demonstrate ; and, no better evidence than a personal visit to his farm is needed to convince the most skeptical that the goat is the best land grubber on earth. He will not only destroy the brush, but will enrich and tramp the soil more thoroughly than any other aunnal can possibly do, wliich is so essential in producing a fine stand of blue grass ; and, he will thoroughly remove all noxious weeds as well. The Doctor tells a very interesting story on one of his acquaintances who was rather doubtful about the value of the goat. It was, I think, at one of the annual State fairs in Iowa, and, if I may be excused for digressing a little, I want here, to commend the Iowa system of fairs over any I have ever at- tended. Instead of coming and going every day, farmer? come prepared to camp out for a week, or as long as they care to re- main. A certain part of the ground is set apart for campers, and V6i*y nicely arranged hotels are provided for those who are not prepared to "camp." The officers are on the ground night and day, during the period of the fair, and an exhibitor can transact any business he may have with them, without the slightest trouble. I had the pleasure of visiting these grounds in the fall of 1897, and took with me a lot of rugs and robes, to show the people what some of the by-products of the Angora goat looked like. I had a number of skins in their natural shape, and others cut into shape for floor rugs and buggy mats. In my exhibit I had a rug arranged with a large wolf skin, in the center, which attracted considerable attention. I also took with me ■500 head of goats (the first that many of the visitors had ever seen), and, while I was there, a drizzling rain had made the race track very heavy, and the superintendent asked me if I would allow my goats to be driven around the track to tramp it and put it in better condition for the races in the afternoon. This was an entirely new departure from old customs, and I Introductory Remarks. iq- did not know whether my Texas goats would relish it or not. I was afraid they might become scared at the multitude of people, yelling and shouting, as they usually do on such oc- casions ; and the bands of music were also a new thing to my country goats ; but I told the supermtendent that I would have the herder try the experiment, which proved to be very suc- cessful. They walked around the track a number of times, and seemed to enjoy the notoriety they were creating quite a good deal, and the races went on as usual. It was at one of these fairs that Dr. Standley was telling some of his friends of the wonderful work the little goat had done for him in clearing his land ; and when he told them of the splendid stand of blue grass he had now in place of a hazel-brush thicket two years before, a Mr. — . — . of county, who also owned a quantity of hazel-brush land, quietly remarked : "Doc- tor, are you not putting that a little too strong?" The Doctor was surprised, and, very naturally, nettled at this lemark; and, after recovering from astonishment at having^ his statement doubted, he replied : "Mr. , it will only cost you about $10 to make a personal inspection of the land I have been telling about, and you can return here by tomorrow's train ; now, I will make you this proposition : if you do not find that I have stated the matter correctly, and fairly, I will return you every dollar you expend on the trip, including your board and lodging." The gentleman accepted the offer, and upon his return to the fair the following day. Dr. Standley asked him how much he owed him. Mr. replied : "Not one cent. Doctor, you did not tell it half as strong as you should have done."' -^ I believe that Dr. Standley has done more in the way of bringing the Angora goat into prominence and favor than any individual in the United States. Many men before him have owned goats, and great credit is due to Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, who was so impressed with the importance of the industry to this country as to pay to Dr. Davis of South Carolina (who was the first to bring any Angora goats into the United States), $1000 each for all the pure-bred goats he -20 A Nczv Industry. had. An investment of $1000 in a little goat calls for consider- able nerve, and Col. Peters may be justly called the "Father of the Angora goat industry in the United States," for in all probability if he had not become interested in them they would have been scattered and soon died out. Mr. Jno. S. Harris, of Oakley, Idaho, is likewise entitled to great credit. This gentleman took a deep interest in the Angora goat very early, and made a voyage to Asia in 1875 for the purpose of bringing back some pure-bred stock. He reached America the following year (1876) with twelve head, after having had an endless amount of trouble in getting them out of Asia Minor, and they cost him over $500 each before he landed them at his ranch in this country. There are many other gentlemen in Texas, California and Oregon that are entitled to credit in having given a start to the industry, among whom I recall the names of Parish, Devine, Haupt, Fink, Arnold, Landrum, and Bailey, some of whom are still engaged in the business. Many others are equally entitled to credit, but I do not think there are any who have shown to the world how this animal can be made use of as profitably as Dr. J. R. Standley, of Platteville, Iowa, has. His work is worth millions of dollars to the State of Iowa, and will result in great benefit to every State in the Union where brush and weeds are ruining pasture lands. The brush question is a most serious one in a great many of our states. As long- as land can be kept under cultivation brush can be kept down, but when it is once thrown open to pasture, briars, and brush of all description begin to grow, and soon covers the entire surface. Even in our own State of Texas many millions of acres, in the west, are growing up into brush thickets, which will, sooner or later, become worthless for pastur- ing cattle ; and, in many of the western territories the same condi- tions exist. It is supposed that this has been produced by an increase in rainfall ; but, I am inclined to think it is not alto- gether due to this cause. That brush and trees are indigenous to many of our, so-called, arid districts can be very easily proven by the great quantities of roots the present inhabitants dig out of the ground for fuel purposes. Not a tree can be seen for hun- ■^^ Introductory Remarks. 2r dreds of miles, yet these great roots can be found almost every- where, on the prairies, and are a substantial witness to the fact that there were an abundance of trees there at some time or other. Before this portion of the United States was occupied by the white race, it was a common practice of the Indians to burn the high prairie grass every fall, or winter, in order to hunt wild game that was very abundant. Buffalo and deer, were as common then as cattle, and sheep, are now, but the grass was so high, in places, they could not be seen, and the Indian would burn it off to be able to hunt them more readily. This, undoubtedly, destroyed much of the growth of trees ; and, in my opinion, is the trvie explanation of the roots that are now found in many parts of west Texas, New Mexico and other western territories. The question is a very important one, and if the Angora goat can be used to keep this growth back it is certainly well worth the attention of many of our land owners, who may, in a few years, find their land practically worthless. A personal friend writes me that : "Many pastures are growing up to oak brush, and hazel brush, in the north ; and in New England they are bothered with ferns (called brakes), berry bushes, black- berries, raspberries, etc." This kind of fare would be "peaches and cream" to a goat, and in a year or two the owner would be relieved of a great nuisance, the goat would grow fat, and the land would be restored to a proper condition for grazing other stock on it. Another correspondent in Massachusetts speaks of a certain small island he owned which v/as so densely covered with brush as to be utterly valueless except to grow mosquitoes. I hear of many parts of the East that are seriously troubled with brush, where many thousands of acres are of no use for grazing pur- poses, and the profit in farming will not justify the cost of grub- bing it. In the Southern States many farms have become worn out, and are growing up into brush and weeds. In Dr. James B. Davis' report to our government, after he had made his first importation of Angora goats from Turkey, he makes use of the following language with reference to brush in the Southerr States. .22 A Nezv Industry. "The want of calcareousness in nearly all of the soils of the Southern States, together with the heat of our sun, makes an inaptitude to peren- nial grasses for grazing animals, hence more suitable for browsing, as both tend to originate shrubbery and weeds." The Angora goat is the proper animal to employ to put these lands in a proper condition either for cultivating or grazing cattle. But a number of my correspondents have asked me what they could do with the goats after they had cleared their land. In reply to this, I will say they can well afford to slaughter them and feed them to their hogs, but this will not be necessary now. The fashion has changed since I slaughtered goats for their hide and tallow, and there is no trouble now in selling all the goats you send to any of our large meat packing markets. I shall refer to this subject more particularly under a proper heading, as well as to show the great profit in the incidental or by-products of the animal. Historica-l Facets Coi\cern.ing tKe Angora^ Goa-t and Ma^nuf QLctur e of MoKa^ir. 24 CHAPTER I. WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW, DID THE ANGORA GOAT ORIGINATE. The exact time, or period, when the Angora goat first originated has never been ascertained. We have an abundance of testimony in the Bible of the existence of goats, at a very early period of the world (1800 B. C), see Genesis, xxvii, 9, but as to whether they were the same class as we now call "Angora" or not, is altogether a matter of conjecture. The account given of them rather leads to the impression that they were of a different character entirely; for, they are, generally, referred to as producing hair (Exodus, xxv, 4), and that they did not shear them (I Samuel, xxv, 2). But, upon the other hand, we read in Exodus, xxxvi, 14, "* * * And he made curtains of goats' hair, for the tent, over the tabernacle * * *" ; and, again in Numbers, xxxi, 20 "* * * And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' -hair ''' * *", which rather leads one to think it was fine enough to be woven into cloth, for wearing apparel. But, it will be observed, Moses does not s.ay raiment of goats' hair, but 7vork of goats' hair, which may have been some kind of coarse material like the curtains over the tabernacle are likely to have been made of. This opinion is, to some extent, confirmed in Leviticus, xiii, 47, where he says: "* '^^ * Whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment * * *," which conveys the im- pression that goats' hair was not used for wearing apparel, or it would have been mentioned with wool, and linen ; for Moses was giving out a law concerning the "cleansing of a leper", and if the people had been accustomed to use goats' hair for clothing, he would surely have included this kind, as well as that made from other material ; for, in the very next verse (Lev., xiii, 48) CHAPTER I. WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW, DID THE ANGORA GOAT ORIGINATE. The exact time, or period, when the x\ngora goat first originated has never been ascertained. We have an abundance of testimony in the Bible of the existence of goats, at a very early period of the world (1800 B. C), see Genesis, xxvii, 9, but as to whether they were the same class as we now call "Angora" or not, is altogether a matter of conjecture. The account given of them rather leads to th-e impression that they were of a different character entirely; for, they are, generally, referred to as producing hair (Exodus, xxv, 4), and that they did not shear them (I Samuel, xxv, 2). But, upon the other hand, we read in Exodus, xxxvi, l-t, "* * * And he made curtains of goats' hair, for the tent, over the tabernacle * * '^" ; and, again in Numbers, xxxi, 20 "* * * And purify all your raiment, and all that is made of skins, and all work of goats' -hair * * "■'", which rather leads one to think it Vi^as fine enough to be woven into cloth, for wearing apparel. But, it will be observed, Moses does not s.ay raiment of goats' hair, but work of goats' hair, which may have been some kind of coarse material like the curtains over the tabernacle are likely to have been made of. This opinion is, to some extent, confirmed in Leviticus, xiii, 47, where he says: "* * * Whether it be a woolen garment, or a linen garment * * *," which conveys the im- pression that goats' hair was not used for wearing apparel, or it would have been mentioned with wool, and linen ; for Moses was giving out a law concerning the "cleansing of a leper" , and if the people had been accustomed to use goats' hair for clothmg, he would surely have included this kind, as well as that made from other material ; for, in the very next verse (Lev., xiii, 48) 2(5 A Nezv Industry. he specifically says : " * * "" Whether it be in the warp, or zvoof ; of linen, or of woolen; whether in a skin or in anythinr made of skiji * * ''''." Coming down to the Greek authors — Homer and Hesiod — referred to by Dr. Hayes — though frequently mentioning the goat, as a domestic animal, they make no allusion to any par- ticular race. yEHan, referring to the goats of Lycia, and the practice of shearing them like sheep, says, that the wool is used for cords and cables. Apian mentions the stuffs known under the name of kilikia, from Cilicia (the ancient name of the country in which Angora is situated), as a means of protection against projectiles; implying that, the goats of Cilicia were not distin- guished for their fineness. Virgil gives the wool of the goat no other destination than to serve for the necessities of the camp, and for the use of poor sailors. .__^ It was not until the year 1555 that the Angora Goat was distinctly made known, through Father Belon, who had travelled in Asia Minor, by a brief, but sufficiently characteristic de- scription, which has, doubtless, given rise to the popular belief that the animal originated in that country; but there is nothing whatever to support the same beyond the mere fact that the modern world first heard of them in the Province of An- gora, which is a part of Asia Minor, belonging to Turkey, and that they have always been known as the Angora goat. The argument advanced by those who maintain this belief is that the climate of Angora possesses some pecuhar characteris- tic which has produced the silky hair on the animal, and to strengthen their opinion, they point to the rabbit, and cat, of that country, Vv^hich produce the same kind of hair as this goat. The theory is certainly very plausible, and would be hard to overcome, if all the goats, rabbits and cats produced hair ex- actly the same ; but, it is well known, they have a low grade of goat, called the "Kurd" goat, which has black, coarse hair,* and it is not uncommon to find cats and rabbits of various colors, *Peglar describes the "Kurd" goat as being a black goat, rather larger than the white or Angora proper, the hair of which, although long and of a fleecy nature, being at the same time coarse in quality." When, Where, and Hozv, Did the Angora Goat Originate? 2/ of hair as well, hence, it would seem that the beautiful hair of the "Angora" goat, is not due to the influence of climate, otherwise, all the goats of Asia Minor would be afifect^fi-by^t alike. Upon the other hand, there is a breed of goat that is said to have existed for countless ages, in central and northern Asia, known as the "Cashmere," which has the same kind of hair as the Angora, and, to all outward appearances, is one and the same kind of animal. In leferring to the Cashmere goat, Dr. Hayes* makes use of the following language, in his work on "The Angora Goat, Its Origin, Culture and Products." "The only goat besides the Angora, which is strictly lanigerous, is the 'Cashmere' or 'Thibetian' goat, which abounds in Central Asia, but whose origin is still obscure, although it has, according to Brandt, affinities with the Angora race. The size of the Cashmere goat is quite' large; the horns are flattened, straight, and black, and slightly divergent at the extremities. The ears are large, fiat and pendant. Ihe primary hair, which is long, silky and lustrous, is divided upon the back, and falls down upon the flanks in wavy masses. Beneath this hair there is developed, in the autumn, a short ;i |>;ipfr fiirnisliC'] hy llic ];d>- lion. Israel S. Oicjij, flic Ai]^.(ora jj;o;i,t lia'l ix-ni sn< rf:'-sfu]|y raisf:'! in no less than tliirl.ccn of llic Sl.at,(:s cast, of Ili<; iV]ississip];i Kivcr, as early as \H(>2. SOIiTll CAK'OIJNA li;t,s tlx- honor of h'-in^ the first, to lian'llc tlif: animal, thron^'i'li \)r. J.-iinc, I',, havis, of Colnnihia, as early as \H'i'.). In l^r;:;, l;r. iJavis wrr;te to llie li. S. I'alenL (Jfficc as follows : "()u iiiy ;i,rriv.'i.l I iiiiin<-'li;i(cly proniri'l ;i nniiihon the other Cashmere I;uck, and it was flifficnlt to flistingnish these from the pure breed, and the subsefjuent cross cannot hi' dclcrtcfl. In ihe ■,|)rin|.', I eontemijlate erff;(:tin|:< still unotlier rro:/,." S<-e i'a.L (Ji(. Kejjort, \'<<:',, j.aj^c i^O. Only a few j.(oats w(;re owned \>y l)r. iJavis, ami, owin^ to 1.1)c vctry lii;^i) ]jrire tlx-y cfjiiunaii'li-fl, it is natural that hut a liniitc'l nniiihcr of hreeders in any particular Statr- coiil'l hccfjine »inl(-reslcd in then) very soon. U[>on tliis subject, hr. Uavis writes : "I ronsidci' llii:, a most v.'ilualde and useful ex); of the mountains lo tiie sea- bo;ird, botij in (^;uolina ;ind d-or^ia." .See IJ. S. t'al. Off. \_nsive and when their pasture is once fenced in, I cannot afford to shift them to other pastures as often as would be desirable for they should have a free run in order to do well. I believe that the Angora goat husbandry is bound to suc- ceed in the newer States like Texas; but in the older States the cost of fenc- ing is an objection." ( See Hayes, page 100 ) In a letter I have received from Dr. M. Barrett, of Maidens. Va., dated 28th of August, 1899, this gentleman savs : *Col. B. Davenport, of Harpers Ferry, took the first Angora goats into Virginia, which he purchased from Dr. Davis in 1852. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 6/ '"I have been raising three-fourth grade Angora goats for the past twent}' years. I find them very strong, hearty and healthy, have nev- er lost one from disease. They are, I think, the best fresh meat we can raise. They are but little trouble, and no expense, as they do not re- quire feeding if let loose on the farm. They are very prolific sometimes kidding twice a year. I have never made use of their hair except for pad- ding, as it is a little coarse. They grow large, and usually, get their growth by the third year. There is no market for them in this section, once in a v-hile, however, I sell a few at $2.00 per head. I keep them for table meat as I think it the best fresh meat we can raise, and will soon take the place of sheep as we have no pasture lands. "The goat lives on briars, brush, weeds, pine and cedar, rarely ever grazing. If once we can introduce them in market they will become very profitable as thej' can be raised very profitably here at one dollar and fifty cents per head. "My kids at six months dress 35 to iO lbs., giving a nice lot of tallow, which is superior to mutton tallow, as it keeps even in warmest weather. The skins are very pretty and useful, as they make lovely mats, rugs or robes. I value my goats more than sheep. I have several goats now that are seventeen years old, still fat and hearty."* Mrginia is said to have only three hundred head of goats at this time. Mr. Diehl makes the following quotations from some of the breeders that he had the pleasure of meeting, or correspond- ing with, upon the Angora goat industry, in 1862. (See Agtl. Dept. Rept. for 1863, p. 22i.) MISSOURI. Mr. John Walker, of Fayette, a distinguishsed far- mer and stock raiser, who has a very superior flock of about seventy, saj-s: "We raised most of them in this State, and so far they have done *From the description Dr. Barrett gives, it is quite evident that his goats have degenerated, and that very little of the Angora blood remains in them. The hair of the Angora is alwaj^s soft, and silky, even on the three-quarter grades: and the kids very seldom weigh as much as Dr. Barrett says his will dress. Another evidence is, the Angora will never haA-e kids more than once a year. I would infer that the Doctor has a speceies of the "'Maltese" goat, which a great many people confound with the "Angora." His experience in handling the goat, however, is an assur- ance that the Angora will thrive in Virginia, and it is gratifying to be able to assure him that there is no longer any prejudice for goat mutton in our Western markets — like Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha — and it is reasonable to believe the Eastern markets will soon fall into line. 68 A Nczv Industry. remarkably well. They stood the cold weather of this winter better than other stock we have. They are very hardy and increase rapidly. The does take care of their young. The cost of keeping these goats is less than any other animal. They graze upon coarse herbs that are not eaten by any other stock, such as iron-weed, dock, mullen, briars, buds and broken sprouts. My buck sheared nine pounds and three quarters, and my pure-bred ewe five pounds."* But, pursuing" my inquiries further, I learned through Mr. Wni. J. Seever, Secretary of the "Missouri Historical Society," St. Louis, that a very considerable interest is being manifested, by c[uite a number, and that the .A.ngora is now owned, in a small way, by upwards of twenty farmers, throughout the State, and he believes the Ozark mountains, where the timber and brush abounds very abundantly, will afiford exceptionally fine advantages for the propagation of the animal. It is estimated that Missouri !i&s about 1500 head of An- goras now. TENNESSEE. Col. R. Williamson of Gallitin, agent of the "Sum- ner Cashmere Company," says by letter that, "so great has been, his suc- cess in breeding and selling these goats, and their crosses, that during 1858, we disposed of twenty-seven thousand dollars worth, and with an increased success, until the war commenced. Brig. Genl. E. A. Paine, commanding the U. S. forces at Gallitin, Tennessee, also writes: "I have been stationed at this post for nea-ly eighteen months, and have been deeply interested in making myself per- fectly acquainted with the habits, increase and value of these animals, and am thoroughly satisfied that the 'Cashmere' wool is to be one of the greatest staples of the country. It is to be to the common wool what silk is to cotton." (See Diehl. Agtl. Report 1863, p. 226.) *In response to a letter addressed to the State Board of Agriculture, asking about the condition of the Angora goat industry in Missouri at the presnt time, Mr. J. R. Rippey, the Secretary, says: "T do not know of a herd of Angora goats in Missouri. Col. John Walker, of Fayette, Howard County, some fifteen or twenty years ago, had three or four hundred. At that time the wool buyers in this State knew nothing whatever of the value of the fieece and offered practically nothing for it. Then again the owners of the goats knew nothing of the necessary care of the fieece when it should be clipped, or as to the care of the goats for producing the best fieece. If there is a herd in this State I do not know it." spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 6g NEW YORK.* Charles S. Brown of New York, writing of his flock of Angora and Cashmere goats, says: "AH these goats can be propa- gated with great profit. They are easily kept, requiring only the coarsest food, and will thrive better upon low bushes, than green pasture. I have found them robust and healthy and have never known any sickness among them." Diehl. Agtl. Report 1863, p. 22(3. MARYLAND. The Hon. Geo. A. Porter, of Baltimore, writing of his flock of Angora goats, says: "I herewith send you two numbers of the 'American Farmer' April, 1860, and July, 1861, which will give you some interesting particulars respecting these goats, also some idea oftheir value. I think you will be convinced that the half-breeds, will prove quite valuable. I have lived many years at Constantinople, occupying the post of United States Consul, and procured and shipped for Dr. Davis the first goats that were ever brought to this country. You will see that Dr. Davis and Mr. Peters, have made a profitable business crossing back to the full Angora." ( See Diehl. Agt. Report 1863, p. 226. ) OHIO, f S. S. Williams, Granville, Ohio, writes: "T have about one hundred head of goats. In regard to the breed of my goats, whether Angora or Cashmere, mine belong to that breed first introduced by Dr. J. B. Davis as 'Cashmeres' and which have generally gone by that name to this day. But, if the Cashmere goat is the animal bearing a coat of coarse hair, with an undergrowth of only a few ounces of fine fleece, then mine are not 'Cashmeres' though known as 'Cashmere' in this coun- try, and from the description of Rees, and others, mine are the Angora for they describe my goats as correctly as I can myself. I rest satisfied that our goat, whatever it should be called is valuable, and I care little for the name. I send you a sample of the wool of my buck 'Sampson' which clips over six pounds. Of course I think he is more valuable than an animal yielding only three ounces of but little finer quality." ( See Diehl in Agt. Report 1863, p. 228 . ) PENNSYLVANIA.^ Genl. J. S. Goe, Brownsville, has a fine flock of twenty in a good condition, beautiful and thriving. He says "they have stood the severe winter well, and are promising; and I am en- couraged with the experiment and prospect." Also Dr. F. F. Robinson of Freedom, Pa., says: I have been quite successful in breeding from the -common goat to my Cashmere buck; find them to be hardy and pro- lific." (See Diehl Agt. Report 1863, p. 226.) *The Angora was introduced into New York in 1852 by Dr. D. C. Ambler, of Waterville, Oneida County, who purchased a pair of young pure-breeds from Dr. Davis, of South Carolina, for $2,000.00. j- As near as I can learn, there are but a very few goats in Ohio now. ;}; Miller & Sibley, Franklin, Pa., were more recent breeders in Penn- /O A Nczv Industry. - MASSACHUSETTS.* Winthrop W. Chenery, '^Highland Farm," Belmont, Massachusetts, one of the most enterprising importers, and stock raisers of the country has made several successful importations, and has a very choice flock of some twenty pure imported Angoras upon his cele- brated stock farm, near Boston, in a good and prosperous condition, where they wintered admirably, standing the rigors of the past severe win- ter and are doing well. Mr. Chenery feels much encouraged with his success in importing, and is quite confident of ultimate profit and value. He writes as follows: "The goats will prove profitable in this country and I would say that, with proper attention they may be bred, and raised as safely, and surely, as ordinary sheep. One gentleman in Western Pennsylvania, to whom I sold a small flock writes me that his goats are about a third heavier than they were and that he has no more fear of raising them ihan pigs." (See Diehl in Agtl. Report 1863, p. 227 . ) It is estimated that Massachusetts has about 1000 head of goats at he present time. The foregoing quotations and references, from the paper of the Hon. Israel H. Diehl, who himself, afterwards, in con- nection with Mr. Charles S. Brown, of New York, made quite sylvania, and sold quite a number of goats to breeders in the West. In a letter to me, of recent date, they say they have disposed of all of their goats, and do not know how many are in the State. I presume there are very few. * Within the past year, more for the purpose of clearing brushy land than for laising mohair, there have been about five hundred head of goats shipped into Massachusetts, and a very considerable interest is being manifested by the owners of lands in this class of stock. The following newspaper extract bearing on this question will be of some interest: "It looks as if the Angora goat might be the means of the reclamation of a lot of the abandoned farms of New England," said a woolen man from that section yesterday. "Two carloads of these animals have arrived at one of these farms in the interior of Massachusetts within the week, coming from Texas, I believe. The animals thrive on the rough pastures of hilly lands and if the climate proves suitable, there is a fortune in the wool and skins compared with the returns from other animals and products of even the better grades of New England farms. At all events, some friends of mine have bought a couple of these farms and are going to stock them with the goats and see if the scheme is not a practicable one. You know We will have to do something to counterbalance the stealing of our cotton industry from us by the people of the South." spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories, /i a large importation of goats from Turkey, is quite sufficient to prove that the Angora goat will thrive well in any portion of the United States, and yet it is a remarkable fact that, in each and every one of the States referred to by him, there are at the present time very few goats. There is, perhaps, but very little doubt that most of the so-called "breeders" he speaks of were gentlemen amateurs, who had been attracted to the an- imal more by its novelty, and beauty, than by any profit they expected to realize from handling it. Or it may be as Mr. Fulmer, of Virginia, expressed it : "I believe that the Angora goat husbandry is bound to succeed in the newer States, like Texas; but, in the old States, the cost of fencing is an objection." At all events, there was no very decided interest taken in the animal by stock raisers until after the close of the war in 1865-66, when the Western States, and Territories, seeing the opportunity for the establishment of a very profitable industry,, began to purchase some Angoras, and it is not unlikely that many of the goats that were formerly held in the old States were transferred to the new, as has been the case largely with sheep. TEXAS is entitled to the credit of leading in the move- ment of starting this new industry, through her very worthy citizen, Col. W. W.. Haupt, of Hayes County, a kinsman of Gen. Herman Haupt, of Virginia, referred to by Dr. J. L. Hayes. Col. W. W. Haupt was born in Green County, Alabama, in the forks of the Bigbee and Warrior rivers, on the 10th of February, 1828, of German-EngHsh extraction. His father was a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and migrated to Ala- bama when he was quite a young man. In 1833 he bought largely of lands on the Bigbee river from the Choctaw Indians, upon which he settled, and died very soon after. His mother was a woman of remarkable energy, and practical sense, as has been clearly demonstrated by the manner in which she reared her -son, who was only five years of age at the time of his father's death.- He received his scholastic education at /2 A Nczv Industry. DtMiiopolis, Alaljama, and was two years at the Centenary col- lege in Mississip])i, and two years at the Washington college; in Virginia, during which he drilled the Cincinnati company of College Cadets, on the Virginia Military Institute grounds. In 1848 he returned home, married, and moved to Texas, where he settled on a farm in the bend of the Colorado river, just below Bastrop. His wife was a Miss Colguin, who soon died. He then married her cousin, a daughter of Capt. John Rugely, of Matagorda County, Texas, and in December, 1857, he pur- chased the farm upon which he is now living, near Kyle, in Hayes County, where he ran the first steam cotton gin that was used in Western Texas, constructed with a steam whistle and a pipe from the boiler to the pick-room,' to extinguish fire, and discharged the exhaust pipe into the chimney as a spark- arrester — all of which was his own construction. His father was of an inventive turn of mind, and had the honor of digging the first artesian well ever sunk in the United States. Gen. Herman Haupt, the noted civil engineer, who still lives, at the age of eighty years, was a cousin, and it would seem that a very decided inventive strain courses through the Haui)t family. Col. Haupt was never fond of a city life, and boasts of the fact that he "never lived a day in town in his life." His prefer- ence was for a farm life, where he could surround himself with all the comforts of a home, and indulge his fancy for various kinds of live stock, of which he was especially fond. He in- troduced the first Essex hogs, and tirahma cattle, into Western Texas, and has invented many appliances for economy in farm work. He has always been a regular subscriber to agricultural papers, and has contributed many valuable articles upon various subjects relating to live stock and farming. In 1858, he thought he would like to try goats, and com- merxed raising some of the conmion stock ; l)ut, concluded it was economy to raise the best, so ne made arrangements with Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, to let him have a small lot of eight head, for which he paid him $100 each. This wa: the conmicncement of the flock of "Haupt" goats which, in 73 Col, W. W, Haupt. spread of Angora Goaf Industry in the States and Territories. 75 ]ater years, became so popular with other breeders. He was always exceedingly careful in b,'"eecUng", and kept a close record of the grade of every gor : on his farm ; and, it can be said of him, that he never deceived a purchaser in the character of the goat he sold. Knowing his own marks of breeding, he could easily distinguish one from another, and it was his invariable custom to price his animals at $30, if he selected them, or $25 if the purchaser made the selection. In 1895 he concluded to turn his attention to horticultural farming, and was forced to dispense with his goats, for which he had formed a very strong attachment. He, at first, thought of retaining an interest in them, but finally decided to sell them out and out, and Mr. W. G. Hughes, of Hastings, Kendall County, became the fortunate owner, and is still continuing to breed them. True to his nature. Col. Haupt established his garden upon the most approved plan, and now has under the most skillful cultivation thirty acres, which is said to be the most magnificent sight, in the shape of a garden, that has ever been seen in the Stat 2 of Texas. He has several thousand fruit trees, consisting mostly of plums, which have prove! to be most profitable, and a large amount in grapes, which are likewise very productive. But the main product is the dewberry and blackberry, of which he has fifteen acres, which supports a small army of women and children during the "berry time." Depending upon the elements for water, in West Texas, has always resulted in failure, and Col. Haupt has provided against all contingencies in this respect, by the means of a pow- erful windmill, and a tank, covering one acre of ground, in the center of his garden, from which he can irrigate his land at will. He is now contemplating the purchase of a gasoline en- gine, to be used in the event of necessity, which, however, occurs only for a short time, in the hot months of July an( August. His magnificent estate consists of 3000 acres of beautiful land, 2500 of which is a pasture, on which three hundred improved cattle are run, and the remainder, between 400 and 500 acres, in farm and garden. j6 A Nnv Industry. Col. Hanpt has a peculiarity of always imagining he is "hard up," and, with a man of his activity, it is not likely he would keep much loose cash around his house, yet he is recog nized by all who know him as being as nicely situated in the comforts that this world can supply as any one could wish to be. and his ranch is the envy of all who have had the pleasure of visiting it. He enjoys the good will of his neighbors, and is alwa}'s glad to entertain his friends. He visits town about once a month, but rarely takes a seat, and is back at his ranch in a very few hours. At the advanced age of seventy-two, he is as active in mind and body, as a man of forty, and bids fair to live a considerable time, which is, doubtless, explained by the even tenor of his hfe. In a recent letter, with reference to others who took an early interest in the Angora goat, Col. Haupt writes : "In regard to the Angora industry in Texas from its inception, I was at one time perfectly familiar with the names of all of the early breed- ers, but my memory is treacherous and I find difficulty in recalling names of most familiar faces. If Col. Parish is rilive l.e can supply you with this information, and a nicer gentleman never lived. The Arnold Bros, in the Frio Canon, were among the beginners, as was also Judge J. P. De- vine of San Antonio. Mr. J. V. Abranis was another breeder in the Frio Canon, but he sold out and moved back to the north. His brother, A'l. C. Abrams, now lives in Manor, Travis Coun- ty. Mr. R. R. Claridge, formerly of the 'Stockman & Farmer" did much with his pen, and paper, to encourage the industry and I regret very much I cannot give you the names of many more who should be referred to in this connection." The Rev. D. S. Babb was one of the early breeders, having started his flock in the seventies from Col. Peters' stock of goats. Mr. Babb is still engaged in the business, and has a fine flock near Sonora, Sutton County. Mr. R. H. Lowry, of Camp San Saba, was another of the early breeders, who started with some of the "Haupt" stock, and later some from Messrs. Peters and Landrum. The success which attended the introduction of the Angora goat into Texas was qtute remarkable in the increased weight of fleece over the s.-oats that had been raised in Georgia. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories, jy Referring to this subject. Judge J. P. Devine, of San Antonio, in a letter to Dr. J. L. Hayes, says: "Col. Peters expressed much surprise when I told him of the heavy clips sheared from the same class of goats that in Georgia sheared much less. As the goats have an inexhaustible quantity of rich evergreen food, all during the winter, they are. in better condition than at same season elsewhere, and consequently the clip is heavier; and the dry atmosphere gives the same gloss, or lustre to the hair that it has in Asia; and some think, our production is the glossiest. The heaviest fleece I have ever taken from a pure nanny, was three and one-half pounds, also from Col. Peters' stock, whose pure-bloods, I think, cannot be rivalled for gloss, a id length of staple, by any pure bloods I have ever seen, and they com- pare very favorably with other pure-bloods in the weight of their clips. "The heaviest fleece I have ever seen clipped from a grade goat was from one of my original breeding billies, which sheared six and a half or seven and a half pounds, I forget which, at three years of age in 1877; and I have sheared four and five pounds from several other grades.* So you will see that a high grade will shear fully as much, and even more, hair than the best specimens of pure blood, and have all the dis- tinguishing marks of a pure blood; and without you take a strong glass, you cannot distinguish any difference in the fibre; and. con- sequently the great difficulty of discovering a fraudulent 'pure-blood" except you put him to nannies, and then hlood zvill tell. ( See Playes, page 112. ) Judge Devine took a great deal of pride in his goats up to the day of his death, which occurred shortly after that of Col. Richard Peters, between whom there seems to have grown up quite an attachment. I have been informed that it was always the wish of Col. Peters thai Judge Devine should con- trol his flock of goats after his death ; but, it was ordered other- wise, and these two leading lights in the Angora goat industry of this country passed away very close together, and their re- *It should be borne in mind that this letter was written about twenty years ago and it is proper to state that the shearing capacity of Angoras has increased considerably over what Judge Devine then referred to. Attention is called to the "Notes of Practical Breeding" upon this sub- ject. Plate XVII represents two full-blood does, raised by Judge Devine, which sheared four and a half pounds in 1896. 7^ A Nnv Industry. spective flocks have gone into other hands, to be improved on it is hoped.* Great credit is due to Col W. D. Parish, of Seguin, Texas, who is mentioned by CoL Haupt as being one of the early breeders. This gentleman secured two very fine goats from a sea captain, who had brought them direct from Constantinople to Galveston in 1875, but he had been interested in the industry several years before this. The impression prevails in the minds pi many breeders that Mr. Parish made a direct importatioi himself ; but this appears to be a mistake. Mr. Jno. S. Harris writes me that when he was in Con- stantinople, in 1876, he investigated all the shipments of goats that had been made to this country up to that time and there were none mentioned as having been exported to Mr. Parish in person. Mr. Jno. S. Brown, of Sonora, Sutton County, Texas, a personal friend of Mr. Parish, says he remembers distinctly that in 1867 or 1868 he (Mr. Parish) stopped with him after having gone somewhere for the goats that he first started his flock with. There were two or three wagon loads of them, and they were at his ranch two or three days resting. Mr. Parish was then going to his ranch in Kendall County. Mr. Geo. W. Baylor, of Montell, Uvalde County, writes me that "In his opinion Mr. Parish did as much towards starting the Angora goat industry in Texas as any one. After he sold his ranch in Kendall County, he moved to Old Mexico and engaged in mining." There is very little doubt but the goats that Mr. Parish brought into Texas in 1867-68, referred to by Mr. Brown, had been purchased by him from one of the importations that had been made about that time by Mr. W. W. Chenery, of Boston. It matters very little, however, where they came from They were exceptionally fine goats, and the "Parish" stock of Angoras figures extensively as a pure-blooded strain in many of our flocks today, the owners of which are very proud of. *The flock of Col. Richard Peters was sold to Dr. J. R. Standley of Platteville, Iowa, and the "Devine" goats were parcelled out to several breeders, Mr. Gunzer buying quite a number, and Mr. J. W. Garrett of Mountain Home. I understand, purchased some also. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 79 The industry in Texas made but very little progress vuitil within the past tew years, when the demand for Angoras to be shipped into the Northern States, more especially Iowa and Kansas, commenced ; and it is safe to say it is now upon a very firm foundation, and will continue to grow rapidly from this time forward. There is a vast stretch of territory in the western border of the State that is unfitted for any other class of stock, which Avill sooner or later be occupied by gcat breeders. It is estimated there are at least 100,000 head of Angoras now m Texas, ranging from one-half bloods up to full-bloods, besides a number of pure flocks started from the "Peters," "Haupt," "Parish," "Devine," and "Plarris" (& Baylor) goats. CALIFORNIA was second to begin raising mohair, and too much credit cannot be paid to Mr. Wm. M. Landrum for the enterprise, and perseverance, that he displayed in carrying the first Angora goats into that State. He had thought of the matter some time, and, in 1860, decided to make the experi- ment, and arranged with Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, to let him have a couple of young bucks from his breeding of the "Davis" goats. He had expected to return to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama, but the rate of passage having been advanced enormously ($600 for himself and the same for live stock, which embraced his little goats), he was forced to abandon the ocean route and go overland, a distance of over 3000 miles that he had to travel by wagon, at the slow average of 21 miles per day. He reached California in the year 1861, with his two goats, and begati improving some common short-haired goats at once. The climate proved to be admirably adapted to them, and from. that day to the present he has been closely identified with the industry, His name has been so long associated with that of the Angora goat they have almost become synonymous. Mr. Landrum is a native of Georgia, and was born near the line of the Cherokee Nation, on the 10th of April, 1829. His father, lames H. Landrum, was born, and raised, in Rutherford 8o A ' Nezv Industry. County, Tennessee, and moved back to his native State when W. ]\I. was (|uite a small boy, and he was sent to school at A'ersailles. In 1845 the family returned to Forsyth County, Georgia, and in 1847, at the age of- eighteen, he engaged in the agricultural implement business, making everything used by a farmer in those days, from his gun to a crowbar — plows for cotton cultivation being a specialty. In May, 1850, he and his father went to California where the father remained until 1853 and then returned to Georgia. W. M. stayed there, and engaged in farming and hog raising. He was one of the first men to sow grain in the great San Joaqui i valley, in the fall of 1852. Dr. Ash, Dr. Chambers, Judge Emory, George Islip and him- self sowed the first grain in that noted valley, and had to pay '■35c per pound for seed, and $5.00 per day for labor. He made a number of improvements in machmery for plowing, and har- vesting, and was successful generally. In 1860 he returned to Georgia for the purpose of getting some of the Angora Goats from Col. Peters, which he carried all the way to California by the overland route, as above stated. In J 863 he went into Mexico under contract to build some mining machinery and a grist mill. He returned to Califcnia in 1866, and took charge of his goats, which he had placed in his father's care during his stay in Mexico, and determined upon making a second importation, which he did in 1867, bringing eight selected goats from the W. W. Chenery importation to Boston, Mass. The following year Mr. Landrum sold a one-half interest in his goats to Butterfield & Son, and the business was then conducted under the firm name of Landrum, Butterfield & Son. The new firm added two choice bucks to their flock from the Diehl & Brown importation, one of which was the celebrated hornless "Costamboul." The same year Col. Peters shipped twenty-five head of choice pure-breeds to the Pacific coast in charge of Mr. E. Holland, seventeen of which were purchased by Landrum, Butterfield & Son. In 1870 Diehl & Browr shipped out the most of their flock, of which about sixty head survived and were placed in the hands of Butterfield & Son to be kept on shares, and sold on commission. Wm M. L\ndrum. Sf^rcad of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. H^ The firm was soon after this dissolved, and Mr. Landrum secured, by purchase, the largest number of the firm's goats, among which was the hornless "Costamboul" buck above men- tioned. In 1870 Mr. Landrum formed a partnership with Jamef: M. Rodgers, selling him one-half interest in his goats and sheep, and the business was afterwards carried on under the name of Landrum & Rodgers. In 1872 the new firm made a large purchase from the "Peters" flock, which gave them the prominence of being the largest holders of pure-bred Angora goats in the United States at that time. Mr. Landrum was instrumental in starting the industry in CJregon, Xew Mexico and Utah. Jn ( )rtgon he had great success, and decided to move his entire flock to the State. In 1883 he shipped his pure bloods to Texas and established a ranch in Uvalde County, where he now resides, enjoying excellent health at the ad- vanced age of seventy-one years, in full possession of his great energy, which has been one of his chief characteri,stics through life. He is a strong believer in the industry, and is actively engaged in breeding and distributing his goats, in which his sons, W. E. and F. O. Landrum, are of great assistance. Jn addition to the goats taken into California by Mr. Landrum and his business associates, Mr, Brock imported a few from a flock owned by Mr. Ogden in Ohio, in the year of JSr;4. In 1867, Gray & Gilmore imported nine head from the \V. W. Chenery flock, in Boston, and the following year they brought in seven more ; and Flint and Sargent three ; all of which were out of the "Chenery" flock. In 1871, Shirland &; Thomas imported eight head from the "Eutichides" flock, and in 1872 they made a second importa- tion. in 1870, Mr. Jno. S. Harris, in connection with Mr. Wm. Hall, imported twelve head from Asia Minor, consisting of two bucks and ten does, which, with the increase of three kuU 84 A Nczv Industry. on the way to this country, made fifteen head. These goats were selected by Mr. Harris in person, and were considered to be very superior animals. In 1893, Mr. C. P. Bailey imported from South Africa two bucks, one of which was considered very fine, and in 1899 this same gentleman made a second importation of several nure. At the present time it is estimated there are fully 40,000 head of well-improved goats in California, which, as a rule, are held in large flocks. OREGON began raising the Angora in 18()9 or 1870, and the credit is due to Mr. Ari Cantrell for having started the in- dustry, which has proven to be very profitable to all who have engaged in it. Mr. Geo. A. Houck, of Eugene, Oregon, writes under recent date that, "Mr. Ari Cantrell brought the first goats to the Willamette Valley sometime in the latter part of '69 or '70's. He bought 150 head of three- fourths and seven-eighths nannies from Mr. Butterfield of California at $12.60 per head. He also bought a pure-bred billy, 'Old Boxer' and a one-year-old nanny, giving for the two the price of $1600.00 or $1000 for 'Old Boxer' and $500.00 for the nanny. Mr. Cantrell brought the common goats overland, and had the fine ones shipped, and stopped with the whole band near Corralles in Burton County. He afterwards bought pure- bloods from Landrum and Rodgers, and from other parties but I have heard him say that none were as good as 'Boxer.' The cHmate of Oregon has proven to be admirably adapted to the production of the Angora, end it is believed by many that the character of mohair from that State is superior to any in America. The industry has grown very .steadily. The flocks are not large, as a general thing, ranging from fifty to 350 head (with a few large ones), which are used chiefly for cleaning up brushy lands for farming and grazing purposes. It is estimated there are at leact 80,000 head of highly im- proved goats in the State at the present time. The industry was organized at Independence in 1896 under the name of "The Oregon Angora Goat Breeding Association," spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 8j of which Mr. J. H. Hawley, of Monmouth, is president ; Hon. Jno. B. Stump, of Monmouth, vice-president, and L. G. Garnett, of Portland, is secretary. NEV ADx^ has in the vicinity of five thousand head of An- goras, many of the owners residing in Cahfornia. NEW MEXICO offers very fine inducement for the breeding of goats in many parts of the Territory. Mr. Maxwell, of the "Maxwell Land Grant Farm," took seventy head into the Territory in 1872, and Mr. Frank Garst took live hundred fine goats from California in 1882, but has since that time moved his entire holdings into Texas. It is estimated there are 30,000 head at this time in the Territory, among which are several very superior flocks. The "Onderdonk Live Stock Company," of Lair.y, z:2 holders of about eight thousand head of the common short- haired Mexican goat, and it has been reported that they have just made a beginning, and intend to increase the numl^er to fifty thousand, which they expect to breed for the hide, prin- cipally. This report, however, is groundless, as may be learned from the following cjuotation from a letter addressed to me by Mr. Clias. S. Onderdonk, the general manager of the company. "It has been the general impression in the West that we are raising common goats for their skins alone. This impression gained ground from the fact that the President of our Company is the largest tanner of goat skins in the world; is very prominent in the East; and the newspapers, knowing that he is connected with us naturally supposed that we were raising goats for the purpose of supplying him with skins. You can appreciate the absurdity of this when I tell you that he has a capacity for tanning fafty thousand goat skins every ten hours. From this you can se^ that the whole territory of New Mexico could not supply him, if it was all devoted to goat raising. We started in to raise the common goat, both for the skin and for the meat; but, we are now also turning our attention to the raising of the Angora, the skin of which you know, is of very little value for leather purposes." Mr. D. C. Taylor, of Lake Valley, is a breeder of the An- gora, and speaks in the highest terms of the Territory as adapted to the raising of them, and there is very httle doubt but the industry will extend very rapidly. 86 A Nczv Industry. Mr. J. C. Hig'htower, of Ruidoso, is another very success- ful breeder. It is estimated that New Mexico has upwards of sixty thousand goats of all kinds, of which, perhaps, one-half, or thirty thousand, are graded Angoras. IDAHO has but few breeders of Angora goats, but is quite prominent in the industry, from the fact that Mr. Jno. S. Harris, who formerly ranched in California, and who visited Cashmere and Asia Minor, in 1876, and brought back twelve head of very fine Angoras from the latter country, selected this territory as combining more of the characteristics of Asia Minor than any portion of the Northwest, where he moved in 1884. Mr. Harris was born in Scotland, in 1836, went to California in 1868, and married Miss Josephine Whittin, of that State, engaging in cattle raising in San Benito County. In the early seventies, his attention was first attracted to the Angora goat. Referring to the subject, in a recent letter, he says : "It was in the early 70's that I first got interested in the 'Cashmere goat,' as it was called in those days, and the newspapers, and those who were engaged in raising them at that lime, represented that the fieece was manufactured into fine Cashmere shawls. Butterfield and Land- drum had some of them which the}' kept on the mountains at Mr. But- terfield's place on the San Benito river, some fifteen miles from where I was living. Landrum lived in Watsonville, in the same county, Monte- rey. I lived on the edge of a farming district and kept a small bunch of cattle. In the fall, after the grain was cut, Mr. Butterfield used to bring his goats and sheep down to be pastured on the wheat-stubble, and I be- came greatly interested in the goats, and traded cattle with him for about seventy-five head of his grades, which was my first introduction to the 'Angora.' I estimate the cost of the goats I received from Butterfield sixteen dollars each and am well satisfied now that they were not more than half-breeds. Mr. Butterfield afterwards asked me to take care of his en- tire lot of goats consisting of some thoroughbreds which had been ship- ped to him by Diehl & Brown to be kept on shares. There were about sixty head of the Diehl & Brown goats, being the last of the importation made by Hon. Israel H. Diehl in 1870. I had them in my care for some time and tried to learn all I could about them. Mr. Butterfield would sometimes come to see them and would always pick out individual ani- John S. Harris. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 80 mals and say that is a 'Thibet,' and this is a 'Cashmere,' and those you see there are 'Angoras,' 'Bei-Bazar,' and 'Kastamboul.' I am well satisfied now that Butterfield did not know anything at all about them. Upon one of his visits, he brought with him a Mr. Wm. Hall of San Jose, Cal., who purchased all of the goats (140) and ?.bout one hundred and fifty head of Buck sheep for $19,000.00, which he asked me to continue to care for until I heard from him again. "I had made up my mind to try and learn something about these goats from headquarters, and as I had an old schoolmate living in India I wrote to ask him what he knew about the 'Cashmere' goat. He wrote me that it was a long way from where he was (Madras) to Cashmere, but he sent me a sample of their wool which was so beautiful, and fine, that I at once determined to have some of the animals direct from their na- tive home. "In the meantime I had sent a sample of the hair from a buck which Butterfield had valued in the sale at $500.00 to Paisley, Scotland, which they reported to me was too coarse for them to use but it was estimated to be worth twenty cents per pound in Bradford, England. "This convinced me that the goats that I had in charge for Mr. Hall were not the real stuff, and I set my house in order to visit Cashmere where I intended to make a purchase of some, for my own use. "I notified Mr. Hall that I wanted 10 see him and he wired me that he would be at San Jose on a certain day. In my letter to him I had en- closed the reply I had received about the goat hair I had sent to Paisely, Scotland, and stated to him I was preparing to go to Cashmere. "When we met, he remarked that, he had no acquaintance with the An- gora goat, and had bought them from Butterfield upon speculation, with the expectation of establishing a large goat ranch in old Mexico upon a grant of one million acres of land which he was then arranging to have legally fixed in the State of Chihuahua. He stated that, if I would go to Cashmere he would be glad to join me in the undertaking, which was then and there agreed upon, and I was to be the general manager of the ranch upon my return. But 'man proposes and God disposes,' for, when I was in the City of Angora a telegram was flashed across the ocean that the Bank of California had failed, and the few commercial men in that city seemed to think that the whole of America had gone under. Mr. Hall was largely interested in the bank, and was also a large owner in Virginia City both in property and mining stock; the bottom went out of 'Comstock' which caused Ralston, the president of the Bank of Cali- fornia to commit suicide; a revolution in Mexico occurred about the same time, which upset our Mexican grant of land, to say nothing of the loss of money spent in getting the bill passed; and to make a long story short the great castle we had built in the air had tumbled all into little pieces, and when I returned to the United States with twelve head of as fine goats as ever came across the water, into any country, I was po A Nciv IndnsiVj,. very glad to settle down on my old ranch in California. The twelve head of goats had cost us $6500.00 and Mr. Hall was partner with me in the business until 1880 when I bought his interest and have gone it alone ever since that time." Referring to his trip to India, and into the Hymalaya motnitains to reach Cashmere, Mr. Harris mentions it with as much unconcern as one would a journey OA^er our own Rocky mountains into CaHfornia, Httle dreaming that his Hfe was in danger every moment of the time he was there. The foHowing letter from the governor's secretary of Punjab, an English official at Lahore, India, which was very kindly given to him by that gentleman, by way of assisting him in his travels, will be interesting : Government of India, Lahore, 9th Sept., 1875. My Dear Jenkins: I give this to a very intelligent man named John S. Harris who came all the way from California to get a dozen Cashmere buck goats to im- prove his stock in the former country. Considering the man knows noth- ing of the language I think it shows he is a very sporting character to come so far on such a speculation, and deserves every assistance. The man is game to go into Cashmere to buy the goats himself, but he has only a month left before he must leave the Valley again. I have advis- ed him to go and see you as I have no doubt you will admire the fellow's pluck, and do all you can to help him, or if you send a man up to Jehlum either with him, or alone, you could get from the Maharaja's peo- ple, the goats. He has money to pay. It is really a very enterprising thing and you are just the man to appreciate arid encourage it so I do not hes- itate to ask you to help him. Best regards. Yours sincerely, M. MAUGHER. Mr. Harris, very fortunately, made the journey without trouble, and then decided to go into Asia Minor and look at the goats in that country before purchasing any. Passing through the Sviez canal, at Port Said, he took passage on a vessel that was manned entirely by Russians, and there was only one passenger, besides himself, who seemed to be an educated person. No one on board was able to speak English until they reached Tripoli, when a young lad of fifteen got on, spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. Qi who proved to be a Greek, and had attended an American mis- sion school at Smyrna and had been on a visit to his parents, and was on his return to schooL ''This boy." Mr. Harris writes, "was kind enough to act as my inter- preter, and I was pleased to learn that my fellow-passenger was a scholar of great learning, and was a native of the interior of Asia Minor. The boy told me he was a professor of a language that was now nearly dead, belonging to tribes that formerly inhabited the interior of Asia Minor, and he had been for the past year at Cyprus studying ancient Greek. The people of the Isle of Cyprus had originally been driven from Asia Minor by the Mohammedans. He said he was well posted on the Angora goat and if the weather was good the next day, he would get out a book on the ancient history of Asia Minor and it had in it some beautiful steel en- gravings of the original Angora goat. The young lad read the book and interpreted to me, the Turkish gentleman sitting beside us and explaining: "The book stated that about Alexander the Great's time, before Mo- hammed, and his Arab followers conquered Asia Minor, there lived a tribe of people in those mountains that kept beautiful mohair goats, and made from their fleeces fine fabrics and disposed of them to the nobility of the neighboring countries. The engravings showed the family in their rude dwelling fondling and playing with their goats, and the book stated that it was customary to bathe the animals in the wine of Cyprus, and comb their hair with ivory combs dipped in olive oil. "In my travels through Asia Minor I saw evidences of large cities, that had existed at some period, or other, but were now totally ruined, be- ing in a desert, waste place, where there was no sign of vegetation or life of any kind, yet the ruins of the city was proof that this great plateau country was one time largely populated. 'Tt has often occurred to me, since I left Angora that, there was a time when a beautiful, perfect mohair goat existed in that country very different from any that I saw there or that has been imported into this country. The engraving I saw in the book just referred to showed no long pendant ears; but small ones and the animal seemed to be small, and very intelligent. If it would be of any benefit to trace the history of this beautiful animal I feel quite sure that much information can be had in Greek history." Mr. Harris has devoted great care in the breeding of his goats, and has never used any bucks but those of his own raising, and by careful selection has greatly improved the gen- eral appearance of them, besides adding largely to their mo- hair-producing qualities. His original goats sheared 9 pounds for bucks and 4 pounds for does ; and he has raised one buck ()2 A Neiv Industry. that sheared as high as I8I/2 pounds and does as high as 9 pounds. The tuft on the forehead is pure mohair, six to seven inches long, and as fine as any portion of the fleece, which is a strong evidence of the great strength of blood they possess. For a number of years he did not offer any bucks for sale, making wethers out of them, and deriving his profit from mohair alone, but he has recently divided his fiock into three parts, placing one in Texas, in partnership with Mr. Geo. W. Baylor, at Montell, Uvalde County, ad another at Salem, Ore- gon, in connection with Mr. J. B. Early, keeping the remaining third at his home in Oakley, Idaho, for the purpose of supplying other breeders with males, for which he receives a great many orders ; and, it was for the purpose of supplying his customers at a distance with bucks that he determined on dividing up his flock. Although Mr. Harris is on the shady side of sixty, he cannot be called an old man, for he is as full of vigor, and en- terprise, as a man of forty; and, if he thought he could find any better stock of goats than he already has, he would not hesi- tate to make another journey to the remotest corner of the earth to get them. He has been blessed with three children, two girls and a boy, who take the same pride in his fine fiock of goats as he does himself. There are probably not over one thousand head of Angora goats in Idaho, the majority of which belong to Mr. Harris. UTAH got her start in 1873 or 1873 through Brigham Young, President of the Mormon Church. He purchased two pure-blooded animals from Mr. Wm. M. Landrum, since when dher stock has been imported and it is estimated they now have 3000 to 4000 head. WYOMING has paid but little attention to the industry, and has only about 3000 goats. WASHINGTON has only a limited number, perhaps 2,500 They were first started there in 1881. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. 95 MONTANA has but few breeders. They were first intro- duced about 1881, by Mr. T. C. Miles of Silver Bow. Mr. H. A. Brannin of Marysville, has a small flock and speaks very encour- agingly of the climate, etc. It is estimated they have one thous- and Angoras now. MINNESOTA has only a few. Mr. C. D. TuthiU of Tut- hill, Anoka County, was perhaps the first to become interested in them in 1894 and his experience is assuring that Minnesota is well adapted to their propagation. It is estimated there are about 500 head in the State at this time. NORTH CAROLINA. Mr. T. K. Bruner, Secretary Board of Agriculture, writes that : "The Angora was introduced into North Carolina about twenty years ago by Mr. Jno. A. Boyden of Sahsbury, N. C, but very Httle attention was paid to them and they strayed ofif into the mountains and were shot by mountaineers as wild game. Mr. Lafayette Holt of Burlington, N. C, is interested in a small flock, which he started in 1893." One hundred head will probably cover the number of goats in North Carolina at present. NEBRASKA has no Angora goats, but a correspondent from Gering, in that State, who seems to be very much interes- ted in the industry, writes : "We have the best goat country in Northwestern Nebraska that can be found anywhere." ARIZONA received her first goats in 1882 through Col. Wm. Hardy, of Phoenix, and, it is estim.ated, there are upwards of ten thousand in the Territory at the present time NORTH DAKOTA. Mr. O. O. Johnson, Dep. Com.. Agr. writes : "There are no Angora goats in North Dakota." SOUTH DAKOTA. Dr. F. A. Spofford, of Flandreau, writes : "From my connection as Regent of Education with the State Agricultural College, I must say that, so far as I can ascertain no one has engaged in raising goats in this State. A year ago we corresponded with dififerent parties with a view to their introduction upon the College farm, but up to this time nothing has been done. I am personally very much interested in this question." g4 A Nczv Industry. COLORADO has taken but little interest in the Angora up to this time, and has perhaps six thousand head of goats. KANSAS has just commenced breeding the Angora goat, and, judging from the interest that is being manifested by her people she will play a very prominent part in the industry very soon. Mr. R. C. Johnson of Lawrence, writes me under date o: 15th February, 1899 : "I have handled 3500 head of Angora goats, since September and ex- pect to handle that many more before 1st of June of which I have 2000 now on the way from Texas. I had no idea of the demand for goats when I entered the business, and it is on the increase. I purchased the 'Gun- zer' flock of goats for my own breeding. They are said to be one of the finest flocks in the State of I'exas."* It is 'estimated that Kansas has at least 5000 goats at the present time. OKLAHOMA recieved her first Angoras in 1890, and has pernaps two thousard head. ILLINOIS has very few Angoras, and has only recently taken any notice of the animal. In reply to a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Illinois Statu Board of Agtl. in August, Mr. W. C. Garrard writes: "I don't think they are raised here at all." Btit Mr. C. S. Horn of Chicago, informs me that he "Imported a car load in the early part of 1899 for the purpose of cleaning some brush land, he had purchased near Quincy, and that he has been remarkably well pleased with his investment." I suppose three hundred head will cover the number owned in Illinois today ; but, to judge from the vast amount of brushy lands that are in the State I am ((uite sure many others will follow in the footsteps of Mr. Horn. MICHIGAN. Mr. C D. Smith, Director of Michigan Ex- periment Station, writes: ^' *The "Gunzer" flock of goats was started from "Di.ine" stock, and '.re said to be a very superior lot of Angoras. spread of Angora Goat Industry in ihc States and Territories. 05 '"I am now looking up the question of Angora goats for some of our poorer lands in Crawford and adjacent counties. I know of no extensive breeders of goats in this State." One hundred head will probably cover all the Angoras now lield in Michigan. INDIANA. According to a "Report of the Indiana State Board of Agriculture," published in 1866, an effort was made to encourage the raising of the Angora goat in Indiana and the "Committee on Awards" strongly recommended the raising of this class of animal because they were found to be very profit- able. See Agtl. Rept. for 1867, p. 353. Mr. Charles F. Kennedy, the present Secretary of the Ind- iana State Board of Agriculture, writes under date of 9th Aug- ust, 1899, that "There are very few Angora goats in the State of Indiana." Dr. P. C. Plaster of Indianapolis, writes me that interest in the animal is being revived, and it is not unlikely that consider- able numbers will soon be introduced into the State. MAINE. A report was circulated some years ago by an Eastern newspaper that a strong syndicate had been formed to raise the Angora goat upon a mammoth scale, and that they contemplated starting with one hundred thousand goats. In reply to an inquiry about the matter, Mr. B. Walker McKeen, Secretary of the Agtl. Dept. of the State, says : "Whatever you may have seen in print in relation to the matter originated in the fertile brain of a newspaper reporter and has no foun- dation whatever in fact. We have no Angora goats in our State." NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mr. N. J. Bachelder. Secretary of Board of Agriculture, writes : "We know nothing about Angora goats." VERMONT. Mr. C. J. Bell, Master of Vermont State Grange, writes : "I do not know of any Angora goats in the State." p<5 A Nnv Industry. CONNECTICUT received some Angoras soon after they were first introduced into the United States, as did Massachu- setts ; but there was never any very general interest taken in the industry, and only a very few farmers have kept them. Mr. James A. Bill of Bill Hill P. O., writes me that, he "Has been breeding a few for thirty years, and has found them the most profitable part of his farm." It is estimated Connecticut has three hundred Angoras. ARKANSAS. Has no Angora goats, but has some com- mon stock. ALABAMA. Has no Angora goats, but has some of the common stock. LOUISIANA. Has some common and probably three hundred head of Angoras. MISSISSIPPI. Has no Angora goats, and a few thous- and common. The last named States have all got more or less of the com- mon short-haired goat and there is no doubt but that the An- gora can be made very profitable in many sections of these vStates except where the land is low and swampy. IOWA did not take any particular notice of the Angora goat until 1893, when Dr. J. R. Standley of Platteville, in Taylor County, imported between three and four hundred for the pur- pose of clearing some hazel-brush land, and his success vv^as so remakable that it has resulted in making Iowa the third largest Angcra State in the Union. It is estimated there are at least forty thousand head of Angora goats in this State at the present time, which have been shipped principally from Texas ; and, to judge from the great number of inquiries that are being made by farmers who think of patterning after Dr. Standley's very prac- tical way of clearing land, it is safe to predict that, Iowa will soon outstrip all other States, in point of numbers. The amount of good that has resulted, and will result hereafter, from this gentleman's enterprise, is immeasurable. It has not only been of immense benefit to the owners of land in his own State, but spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. Q7 has extended into other States as well, and has injected new life into the industry in all of the States that have been raising Ango- ras for mohair. There is not a single State that has not already felt the influence of his work, and the demand that has been created for goats, to be used in clearing brushy lands alone, will call for more animals than can possibly be furnished from the present supply, which will result in the building up of a very large industry in all of our Western States and Territories, where suitable lands can be controlled at a reasonable expense. Dr. vStandley was born in Hendrix County, Indiana, 22d December, 1831. His parents moved to Putnam County, in the same State, when he was an infant, and in 1845 they moved to Pike County, Illinois, where they remained until the spring of 1850, and then moved to Davis County, Iowa, where the Doc- tor reached his majority. He was partly educated in Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, entering the Iowa State University at Keo- kuk, from which institution he graduated as a Doctor of Medi- cine in 1855, and he secured a second diploma, as a physician, in 1889, from the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louis- ville. On the 4th July, 1854, he was married to Miss Radical Hornback of Pittsfield, Illinois, with whom he settled on a large tract of land he had acquired in Jefferson, T. P., Taylor County, where he has resided ever since. He practiced his profession, more or less, but having a great fondness for agriculture devoted much of his time to farm- ing and stock raising, which he always conducted upon scientific lines, and prided himself upon having the most improved strains of cattle, sheep and hogs, that could be purchased. With his characteristic enterprise he established a store, to supply himself, and neighbors, with merchandise, which had to be hauled, by wagon, from the Missouri river at St. Joseph, Mo., a distance of seventy-three miles. He set aside a certain part of land for school and religious purposes which has resulted in the building up of the thriving little village of Platteville, sit- uated about midway between Blockton, on the "Chicago & Great Western R. R.," and, Bedford, on the "Chicago, Burling- ton & Ouincy," which is now supplied with a daily "^-ail and tele- phone service. p8 A Nczv Industry. About six hundred acres of his farm had been left in tim- ber, for pasture purposes, but the hazel-brush soon became very thick, and interfered greatly with the growth of grass. The com- mon method for getting rid of this nuisance w^as, to cut the brush down, and run sheep, and cattle, on it, but the Doctor only suc- ceeded in clearing eighty acres of it in fifteen years, and for a man of his progressive ideas this was altogether too slow a way. The cost of grubbing" up the roots would be expensive and for a time he was undecided what course to follow. He had always heard that the goat was very fond of brush, and decided to give this animal a trial before resorting to the more expensive meth- od of grubbing it out. He visited Texas and purchased about three hundred and fifty head of graded Angoras in 1893, and the shipment created considerable comment on the part of all who saw them. Many of his neighbors thought it was a piece of folly, but in a short time they realized that his judgment was good, and by fall, the portion of the land that had been used to hold the goats, looked very much like a prairie fire had passed over it; and in less than three years, this lot of goats, with their increase, had destroyed every hazel-brush on his farm, and the blue-grass had taken a stand far superior- to any in the vicinity which is doubtless explained by the rich fertilizing quality of the droppings from the goat. Dr. Standley does not believe in "keeping his light under a i3asket," he therefore, proclaimed the great success he had achieved through the press, so that his fellow-farmers might profit by his experience ; and, in 1897, he imported two thous- and head more, which he sold out in small lots at auction, and in less than twelve months after, the demand for Angora goats was almost universal among Iowa farmers. The Doctor was convinced that this demand would continue, so he concluded to engage in raising the animal for profit, and in 1897, succeeded in purchasing the entire flock of pure bred Angoras from the estate of the late Col. Richard Peters of Atlanta, Georgia, who had been a conspicuous breeder of thoroughbreds from a very early period. He has since shipped breeding bucks into the Dominion of Canada, and to many of the States as well and, at the present time has a little over one hundred of the "Peters' " goats on 99 Dr. J. R. Standley. LofC. spread of Angora Goat Industry in the States and Territories. loi hand, which he takes great pride in breeding, and is confident he will be able to improve their high standard, in the climate of Iowa, over what they had attained in the warmer climate of Georgia. The following is a copy of the opinion of an expert in Bradford, England, who examined some of Dr. Standley's clip of 1898: Calverley, Nr. Leeds, August 5th, 1899. Mr. J. R. Standley, Platteville, Iowa. "Certificate of Merit," ^ I beg" to acknowledge receipt of the sample of Mohair grown by you and sent through Messrs. Wm. R. Payne & Co. of New York. Permit me to say that the sample of mohair is first-class in every respect. I showed it to several of our largest users, and was asked if I had any for sale, all l^eing agreed, it was a very useful style of hair and well suited to the present requirements ot the trade of Bradford. It was a very good quality, capital length, good lustre, very free of kemp, and on a par with average Turkey. Yours faithfully, S B. ROLLINGS, Wool Expert. There is no doubt that Dr. Standley's long experience in handling live stock will greatly assist him in his new undertak- ing, and the Angora goat breeders of the United States have good reason to congratulate themselves in having so practical a member in the industry. Dr. Standley had the misfortune to lose his wife in 1898, who had been his constant companion for nearly half a century. His two children, Mrs. Asa Terrel, and Dr. Joe Standley, Jr., have farms close to their father's ; and between the three fami- lies, they occupy in the neighborhood of five thousand acres of as fine blue grass land as can be found in the State of Iowa. Among others who have become interested in Angoras may be mentioned Dr. Bevington of Wintersett, the owner of about six thousand acres of fine land, some of which was unproductive until he invested in goats. This gentleman first bought a few; and, when he realized their great value, he imported about one "thousand head from Texas. Mr. Benj. F. E'-bert of Des Moines, is another prominent convert. He had heard of the wonderful work of the animal, 102 A Nczu Iiuhistry. and decided to make a purchase of a few hundred at one of Dr. Standley's auction sales ; and, afterwards, invested in eight hun- dred well improved goats, which he runs upon his farm, and is now a strong advocate of the Angora. Mr. J. C. Morton, of Indianola, imported a carload from Texas in 1898, and has not only accomplished the work of clear- ing his farm of brush but is breeding them for profit as well. Mr. S. S. McKibbin of Earlham, was another early convert. He had heard of them through Dr. Standley's work, and made a purchase of some in 181)7. He engaged in dealing in the animal and has disposed of upwards of five thousand head, if not more, within the past two years. Mr. McKibbin noticed a "hornless" male kid among some of the shipments he received, and decided to keep him, and see if he could not develop a "hornless" breed, which has been very satisfactory and I intend to refer to the matter more particularly later on, as T deem it of great impor- tance to the industry. Capt. J. Murray Hoag, of Maquoketa, is another who saw the opportunity of dealing in Angoras and has been quite an active agent in distributing them for the past year, sending come as far East as Massachusetts, and he feels verv much en- •couraged. This gentleman has engaged in breeding, as well, and it is reported he has recently taken steps to import some stock from South Africa. Many others have purchased Angoras upon a large scale, but the bulk of the holdings, in Iowa, run from twenty-five up to one and two hundred head. The demand has been so steady for the past few years, it is now very difficult to find any improved goats for sale, in Texas, and buyers are beginning to look to California and other States for a supply. I am quite sure it will soon become necessary to buy the short-haired "Alexican" goat, and grade them up as the early breeders had to do. CHAPTER VIII. CENSUS OF ANGORA GOATS IN THE UNITED STATES. ■ The number of Angora goats in the United States is en- tirely problematicaL There has never been any census taken of them by the U. S. authorities and it is impossible to arrive at any absolutely correct number, but v/e can come to a reasonably fair approximation through the agency of the amount of mohair that is marketed, which is the basis of the following estimate, and I feel under obligations to Messrs. Wm. R. Payne & Co. of New York, for the information. In sending me this estimate Mr. Payne writes : ' "We have yours of the 10th inst. and regarding your query as to the number of Angoras in the country, you doubtless know that there is no statistical data at all to base on. The census returns give goats of all kinds in, together, with sheep, and the proposition is, therefore purely hy- pothetical, and about as near guess work as anything can be. The only way we can arrive at a remote, and very unreliable, approximation is to get as near as possible the mohair grown in each State, so far as can be ascertained, and average the fleeces to represent the probable number of goats represented. This is next to an impossible matter and the whole estimate is crude and uncertain. We would not want to be committed to the figures or in any sense be responsible for their correctness, and they are subject to criticism therefore as we give them." Through the medium of the question blanks, that I distributed among the breeders, wiiich I have summarized in Chapter XXIV, I am able to approximate the weight of our shearing per capita in each State, and in this way I reach the fol- lowing estimate of the number of Angoras in the different States at this time, or say, on 1st January, 1900. ESTIMATED NUMBER OP ANGORA GOATS IN THE UNITED STATES, JANUARY 1, 1900. State Te Oregon . , California Iowa New Mexico. Arizona . Colorado Nevada . Kansas Utah Wyoming . . . . Washington . . Oklahoma . . . Missouri Idaho Montana . . . . Massachusetts Georgia Virginia Ohio Pennsylvania . Connecticut . . Illinois Tennessee . . . . Kentucky . . . . Minnesota . . . Indiana Michig'an . . . . New York. . . . N. Cai'olina. . TOTAL ... Classification of Fleece Mostly short, six-months' staple, but very clean and light fleeces, fluffy, and cottony Mostly bright, and good condition Heavier in condition, earthy and coarser Mostly bright, and good condition Mixed grades, and condition (dusty) Heavy average carding, very earthy Ordinary carding, dusty Mostly average carding, some earthy Heavy and earthy Heavy alkiline and frowsy Average carding Poor carding, hard fibred, low. . Fair carding Product Of MOHAIK IN Pounds Mostly bright, and good condition Good carding •250,000 225,000 120,000 100.000 4) O 876,450 21/3 3 3 2% 75,000 I 21/2 20,000 2 15,000 2% 12,500 2% 12,500 2y2 9,000 2V2 7,500 2% 6,000 2V2 5,000 2V2 3,000 2 4,000 4 3,000 3 2,500 2% 750 21/2 600 2 600 2 600 2 900 3 750 2y. 400 2 400 2 500 2Vz 250 214 250 2yo 250 J 2V^ 200 329,300 Census of Angora Goats in the United States. lo^ Mr. Payne adds : "Of the above 876,450 which may be called Mohair, perhaps about one-half will run to a Combing staple of six inches and above. About twenty per cent. Medium staple five to six inches, and about thirty per cent, short kid Carding and Blanket hair. "There are, probably, of cross-bred goats, yielding a very coarse, kempy, hairy fieece, only suitable for low carpet yarn, in addition to the above (which may be called Angora) some 40,000 pounds to 50,000 pounds, scattered throughout the Southwest and Territories." Mr. H. M. Williamson, editor of the "Oregon Agriculturist, and Rural Northwest," of Portland, Ore., says : "I have not enough facts at my command to justify a close estimate of the amount of mohair produced in the United States in 1899, but believe the figures to be a little larger than the estimate of Mr. Wm. R. Payne. I do not think the amount was less than one million pounds. Mr. Payne certainly underestimated materially the amount produced in Arizona and New Mexico. "From the best information available, the mohair clip of Oregon last year was about 200,000 pounds. The four buyers who handle nearly all the mohair grown in the State claim to have bought in the aggregate nearly 260,000 pounds. One of these dealers claims to have bought more than I think he got and most of the mohair grown in Idaho and Washing- ton, and part of that produced in Northern California, was included in these figures. On the other hand, some Oregon mohair was consigned direct to the East, by growers. For the present year, I estimate the clip of the State at 240,000 pounds." It will be seen that with few exceptions every State and Territory in the Union has had the Angora goat at one time or other, and there has never been a failure in raising them. The more Northern States have an advantage over the Southern in a greater weight of fleece, which is doubtless explained by the action of the colder chmate. If the Industry were to depend al- together upon the demand for mohair it is not likely the in- crease would be very rapid ; but, with the demand for goats to be used as brush exterminators, there is hardly any way of esti- mating the number the United States will probably have with- in the next decade. It is very reasonable to believe we will have to export a surplus of mohair sooner or later for we can hardly expect our manufacturing industry to keep pace with our in- '--epse in goats when we take the brush feature into considera- tion. io6 A Nezv Industry. The South Africa breeders are evidently afraid of this result from the fact that they have recently introduced a meas- ure in the Colonial Parliament placing a duty of $500 on all Angora goats that are exported from that country, which how- ever is not likely to become effective, as the adjoining colonies will have to co-operate with Cape Colony to carry out their purpose, which undoubtedly is, to prevent the American breed- ers from purchasing any of their goats. It is gratifying to know that we already have cjuite enough of pure blooded stock to be entirely independent of this selfish country, provided proper care is used in breeding-, which is more than likely to be followed l^y those who are fortunate enough to own a stud flock. But, as above stated, it is not at all likely that the law will ever become operative and we may expect quite a considerable trade with the breeders of South Africa, who have pure stock, which will assist us greatly in developing our own industry and be a source of profit to breeders in that country. In justice to the broad minded gentlemen who were oppos- ed to the placing of an export duty on goats, I take pleasure in copying the following extract from the "Midland News and Karoo Farmer." of Craddock, Cape Colony : (Taken from the "Oregon Agriculturist and Rural Northwest.") SOUTH AFRICAN OPINIONS ON THE EXPORT TAX. "The bill to prevent the export of Angoras has passed the Legisla- tive Council, but as the export duty will not come into force until Natal and Mozambique have passed similar laws, it will be inoperative for some time to come. In the Upper House an amendment was introduced by- Mr. Maasdorp, and carried, stipulating that a similar restriction be placed on exportation from German West Africa, before the act takes effect in the Colony. When all the maritime states have agreed, no export will be allowed to the Inland Republics and Rhodesia, unless they agree to similar restrictions. It will thus be seen some tiriie must elaspe before exportations can be checked, and meanwhile a more liberal policy will probably find favor amongst our farmers. The Farmers' Association, that has far away the greatest claim to be heard on this subject, the Zwart Ruggens Association, has pronounced against this bill; such well known farmers as !\fr. C. Lee in the Lower House and Mr. G. H. Maasdorp in the Council spoke strongly against the measure, but the "dog in the Census of Angora Goats in the United States. 107 manger" policy is the popular one in both houses today. We are con- vinced that the more our enterprising stock breeders (the men who have done more practical co-operative work in developing their industry than has been done in any other branch of farming) are encouraged to continue the improvement of their stud flocks the higher will the stand- ard of Cape rhohair be raised. At the last Angora ram sale in Grafif- Reinet, there was no sale for a large proportion of the animals, offered; this was of course partly in consequence of the drought, but the fact remains that unless a fresh outlet is found for our best bred rams, some breeders will go out of the business; competition will be lessened, and a check given to that continued improvement that has been such an en- couraging feature during late years. The average quality of our staple will only rise as the average quality of stud flocks rise. The standard can only be raised by widening our market for rams. We repeat our belief that whatever rams go abroad, the best will be retained in the Colony, and from personal knowledge of our stud, breeders have every confidence that they will hold their own against Americans, Australians and all comers." The "Oregon Agriculturist" makes the foUowing comment on the above : "From reports of the debates in the Legislative Council and Assembly, published by the same paper, it appears that the leading opponent of the bill in the Legislative Council was Hon. Mr. Maasdorp, a group of whose goats are illustrated in Cronwright Schreiner's 'Angora Goat.' He said it was not a fair principle to restrict the trade. If trade in mohair is extended and taken up by other countries, mohair, instead of being as now an article of luxury and fashion, will become an article of cloth- ing and we will have a stable price. He also pointed out the fact that the only practical effect of the bill, if it became operative, will be to prevent Cape Angora breeders who have spent a large sum of money on their stock from getting a good price for a ram from an occasional American buyer. The bill would, however, be inoperative because it depended on the governments of Natal and the Province of Mozambique adopting similar legislation. Even in the remote contingency of their doing so there would remain the chance of goats working out through the German West Coast Territory. "Hon. Mr. Van den Heever, who supported the bill, charged Mr. Maasdorp with self interest in opposing the bill, because he was a breeder and if the bill did not pass might sell goats at high prices to Americans. If the bill did not pass the result would be that within a year or two 30,000 Angora goats would be exported to America. No words were strong enough to describe the action of his honorable friend who was animated only by self-interest and did not care what became of the Colony or even of the Maasdorp family in the near future provided he made his ten or twenty or fifty thousand pounds. io8 A Nezv Industry. In the Legislative Assembly the bill was opposed by Mr. C. Lee, (who is undoubtedly the Mr. C. G. Lee who is secretary of the Angora Goat Breeders' Association of Cape Colony), and byMr. Hockly, who rep- resents Somerset East, the district which contains more Angora goats and produces more Mohair than any other district in Cape Colony, and Sir P. Faure. The leading advocates of the bill were Messrs. Van Heerdefn' and Wienaud. The great interest that has been manifested for the Angora goat in the past few years has encouraged our very efficient Secretary of Agricuhure, the Hon. James Wilson, to incorpor- ate in his report for 1898 a bulletin which was prepared by Mr. Almont Barnes of the Division of Statistics, with great care, and covers a vast amount of valuabk information, touching, ''Value of Goat Skins, Imported," "Number of Domestic Goats in the United States," "Goat Products," "Available Pas- turage," "Supply of Labor," and many other matters of impor- tance, which can be seen by reference to the Agricultural Re- port for 1898. CHAPTER IX. WHY THE INDUSTRY HAS MADE SUCH SLOW PROGRESS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE FUTURE. Considering the fact that we have imported upwards of three hundred head of Angora goats from Asia Minor during the past fifty years, and that it is possible to grade up the short haired goat to a mohair producing animal with four or five crosses from a pure bred sire, it is quite evident that something must have interfered seriously with the growth of the industry in this country or we would be able to make a much better ex- hibit than we do. Our total production of mohair at the present time is less one million pounds, while South Africa had passed the two mil- lion pound mark early in 1879, and is today producing more than twelve million pounds of this valuable fibre. What has been the reason for such slow progress on the part of American breeders, when the industry was so quickly developed in South Africa? In 1882 Dr. Hayes, referring more particularly to the efforts of Col. Richard Peters of Georgia, and Col. Robt. W. Scott of Kentucky, says : "The most valuable result they have accomplished is the preservation, and acclimation, of undoubtedly pure stock, which may serve as a founda- tion of a more systematic enterprise in this direction than has hithreto been attempted in this country. That these breeders, skilful as they are, have not accomplished more, is due partly to the fact that residing in the South, their enterprise was retarded by the war, but more to the circumstances that perhaps, without abundant capital they have sought to derive their profit rather from selling animals than from increas- ing the flocks and selling their fleeces. The increase having been sold in scattered pairs, have got mixed up, with the common breed, and have been no A Nezv Industry. practically lost. Thus the greater part of the enterprise devoted to the Angora goat culture, has been frittered away. The majority of breeders (always excepting such as I have above named) who have crossed pure animals upon common goats have sold the grade animals, as if they had all the excellences of absolutely pure goats. The purchasers, in their turn, breeding the grade bucks to common goats have been naturally dis- appointed in the results, and have let the breed run entirely out." See Hayes, p. 65, 66. I think Dr. Hayes' conclusion is correct with reference to the injury caused by the sale of grade sires for pure bred, but he is certainly wrong in attaching blame to either Col. Peters or Col. Scott, for the slow growth of the industry. These gen- tleman never contemplated raising mohair, as their surround- ings did not admit of their holding any large number of goats. Their purpose, evidently was to breed pure blooded stock and sell to others, who were differently situated, and who were in a position to engage in carrying on the goat business upon an extended scale; and, in this, I think they were eminently suc- cessful, for a great many flocks of Angoras in the United States can be traced back to either the "Peters" or "Scott" blood. Both the Texas and California industries can be traced di- rectly to Col. Peters' efforts, which resulted in the importation of all the goats that were brought into this country by others, for it is reasonable to think the importers would not have en- gaged in such an undertaking, if they had not believed they would be able to sell their stock to breeders upon arrival. With the single exception of the J. S. Harris importation (which was for his own personal use), every one of the others was on spec- ulation, and they were all sold at very satisfactory prices. That the selling of high grades called "full blood" for pure bred stock has had a tendency to retard the growth of the industry, there can be no doubt, but this cannot be the only cause, for there has never been an American industry established yet that has not had to contend more or less with fraudulent prac- tices, even to the selling of wooden hams and nutmegs. Refer- ring to the industry in Australia, which was started in 1858, only four years after Col. Peters bought the Davis goats. Dr. Hayes quotes some very interesting observations from Sir Samuel Why flic Industry Has Made Such Slow Progress. Ill Wilson, a very eminent breeder of sheep in that colony, who had encouraged the introduction of the Angora goat, and was ex- ceedingly anxious to see the industry fully established. Dr. Hayes says : "The evident preference of this eminent breeder is for the system of increase from absolutely pure flocks, a preference which I regard as a strong justification of the orig-nal views in the text of my essay. Sir Samuel seems to think that, from a National point of view, the time requir- ed to create immense flocks of pure animals is of little moment. His calcu- lations of the result which can be attained in four decades will astonish the reader, he says: "The flock of Angora goats, now (1873) on the Wimmera, is 108 in number, besides a few young k'ds. From calculations carefully made. and which, as well as other figures in this paper, have been verified by Professor Strong of the Melbourne University, this small flock, if care- fully managed, and sufficient pasture allowed for it to graze upon, will, at the ordinary rate of increase, reach in thirty years the very large num- ber of 44"2,.368. This number should be sufficient to displace most, if not all, the common goats in the Colony. In forty years, at the same rate, the pure flocks would increase to over 7,000,000. "The pure flock should, if possible, be kept in one district and not scattered about. From this point, as a centre, th; great profit to be ob- tained from them should enable them to push their way and drive out the common goat. The above estimate of increase I arrive at by the simple calculation of doubling the number of the flock every two and one-half years. This was found to be about the rate of increase which sheep were observed to make on their first introduction into Australia. I have reason to believe that the Angora, will, with care, increase in an equal ratio. The calculation is as follows, showing the estimated number at each period of two and a half years: Present number of flock 108 Estimated number in two and one-half years. . . : 216 Estimated number in five years 432 2 Estimated number in seven and one-half years 864 2 Estimated number in ten vears 1,728 112 A Nerv Industry. Estimated number in ten years, carried forward 1,728 2 Estimated number in twelve and one-half years 3,456 2 Estimated number in fifteen years 6,912 2 Estimated number in seventeen and one-half years 13,824 2 Estimated number in twenty years 27,648 2 Estimated number in twenty-two and one-half years 55,296 2 Estimated number in twenty-five years 110,592 2 Estimated number in twenty-seven and one-half years 221,184 2 Estimated number in thirty years 442,368 2 Estimated number in thirty-two and one-half years years 884,736 2 Estimated number in thirty-five years 1,769,472 2 Estimated number in thirty-seven and one-half years 3,538,944 2 Estimated number in forty years 7,077,888 "By calculating the rate of increase at 80 per cent., yearly, on the num- ber of does, of any age, to produce kids; and, making the proper allow- ance for deaths, from age, and other causes, the result would be still great- er, and the above calculation would seem moderate in comparison. As a matter of fact, the flock has actually been doubled in number by nat- ural increase in the first two years, and with sufficient pasture and proper care and management, would doubtless reach the large number of 442,368 in ihe year 1903, and upwards of 7,000,000, in the year 1913." See Hayes, pages 52 and 53. Dr. Hayes then proceeds to show that, "If the United States had followed the above theory with the 'Chenery' and 'Diehl' importations alone, we would today be enjoying the fruits from a large industry of pure-bred Angora goats, which, he estimated (so early as 1882) would reach 2,792,000 animals producing 11,000,000 pounds of merchantable mohair." (See Hayes, p. 54.) Why the Industry Has Made Such Slozv Progress. 113 I would here remind my reader, that an industry, and more especially an agricultural industry, requires something more than dry theory, and mathematics, to feed upon. The first thing, in my judgment, is a market for the product ; and, the next is a complete knowledge on the part of all who engage in it, as to where that market can be found, together, with a perfect understanding of how to produce the article, and how to pre pare it to meet the wants of consumers. Of all these essentials, our early breeders were in total ig- norance, with the exception, perhaps, of a very few of the lead- ing members ; and, even at the present time, not one farmer in ten thousand has ever seen mohair ; has no idea of what an Angora goat looks like, and has not the remotest idea of how to handle the animal, or how to prepare the fleece it produces for marketable purposes. The following letter written by Mr. J. R. Rippey, Secretary of Missouri State Board of Agriculture, in reply to an inquiry T made with reference to the industry in this State, is a very strong confirmation of what I have just stated: "Columbia, Mo., August 15th, 1899. Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Tex. Dear Sir — I do not now know of a flock of Angora goats in Missouri. Col. John Walker of Fayette, Howard county, some fifteen or twenty years ago, had three or four hundred head, but I think they proved un- profitable and he disposed of them. At that time the wool buyers in this State, knew nothing whatever of the value of the fleece, and offered practically nothing for it. Then again the owners of the goats knew noth- ing of the necessary care of the fleece, when it should be clipped, or as to the care of the goats for producing the best fleece. If there is a herd in this State, I do not know it. Respectfully, J. R. RIPPEY. The prime reason for the slow growth of our Angora goat industry, in my opinion, is due to the fact that breeders could not make is as profitable as raising other kinds of live- stock. If they had started with goats that would pay their way with mohair at the commencement, and had known exactly how to handle the stock, and where they could market their mohair, as above mentioned, conditions might be difterent ; but. //-/ A Nczv Industry. it must be remembered, the early breeders Had to begin with common goats, and grade them up ; and, even many of those, who used nothing but absohitely pure bred sires, found it un- profitable, for the reason that their first and second crosses would not pay to shear, and there being no sale for goat meat in our large markets, were forced to accept ruinously low prices (often as low as fifty cents per head) from local ranchmen, who used them for ranch meat purposes. This had a tendency to discourage others from engaging in the business, and the re- sult has been, that only a few have had the confidence and ablHty to hold their goats, until they had graded them up to a paying basis, while the many gave up in despair, very early in the strug- gle, and their goats have been sold out and slaughtered. My personal experience, which is outHned in rriy "Introductory Re- marks," is, I think a very good illustration of this condition. I had accumulated as many as 8000 head of goats of all grades, from the common "Mexican" to very high grades, and was com- pelled to thin out my goats for two reasons : 1st, my old goats would soon die of old age ; and, 2nd, my range was not suf- ficient to accommodate so many goats, with my other stock. I tried faithfully to find a market for one thousand fat wethers, and the following letter received from a Chicago packing house will show what poor success I met with, (the name of the writer is omitted for obvious reasons) : Chicago, 111., Sept. 25th, 1892. Wm. L. Bhick, Ft. McKavett, Tex. Dear Sir — Yours of the 15th inst. offering to sell us 1000 fat wether goats is at hand and we regret to say we c nnot use them. We recog- nize the fact that grade Angora mutton is fully equal to sheep, and we do not hesitate to slaughter them in a limited way, when we receive them with a flock of sheep, but the preiudice for goat meat is so strong, that we do not feel justified in slaughtering them in such large numbers as you propose to ship. Very truly yours. Being compelled to do something, I resorted to the scheme of slaughtering thetn myself for their hides and tallow. The American farmer is impulsive and will often sacrifice years of labor spent in grading up stock that he finds to be un Why the Industry Has Made SiieJi Slozv Progress. jzK profitable in a moneyed sense. It is the dollar that influences him and not sentiment. During the two periods of depression we have had in our sheep industry in the past 17 years, (1883 to 1886, and 1890 to 1894, both caused by adverse tariff legislation) which resulted in a temporary decline in wool, millions of fine sheacing sheep were sent to the shambles, and sold for a trifle, because the proceeds from wool did not pay for keeping them. Horses, too have been sacrificed in the same ruinous way, dur- ing the past few years, for the same reason, which has resulted in setting back both of these industries very seriously. That our country is well adapted to the culture of the An- gora has been clearly proven, and all who held their goats until they had reached a shearing capacity, of say two pounds per head, have made money, and are now enjoying better results from this branch of their livestock than any other ; but, it is not reas- onable to suppose that all breeders would have the patience, and financial strength to hold on to stock for a number of years at a loss when they could use their land, and their energies with a different kind of stock that would yield them better re- sults. Because South Africa has been so remarkably successful is no reason to think they have a country better suited to the Angora goat than the United States is. Conditions in the two countries are very different. In the United States we have a large home and export de- mand for fresh meat, and farmers naturally prefer raising such stock as will meet with ready sale. In South Africa the sale for fresh meat is limited, and far- mers are compelled to rely more upon incidental products like wool and mohair, which can be easily transported to market. But, matters in this country, respecting the Angora goat, I am pleased to say have changed very materially wiihin the past few vears, and it is now possible to sell these animals in any quan- tity, at any of our large meat packing markets as readily as sheep. Besides this an unexpected demand has recently sprung up from Northern and Eastern farmers who want to use the animal as a brush exterminator, which will call for more goats than we can supply in many years to come ; and if all ii6 A Neiv Industry. signs do not fail we shall soon begin to show our South Afri- can friends, and others, the way Americans can develop an in- dustry when all their disabilities have been removed, and they make up their minds to go to work. As for the breeders who sell "full-bloods" for pure breeds, these will soon be found out and will disappear from the field, as all frauds have had^to do in the past.* *It is perhaps proper for me to say that, I do not share the opinion that, all breeders, who sell graded goats for breeding purposes, are nec- essarily rascals, or frauds. I do not think it possible to trace the lineage of any goat either in America, South Africa, or Turkey, to an absolutely pure-blooded sire and consequently it is impossible for a breeder to know if his goats are "pure bred," in the strict sense of the term, or not. The Turks have interbred with common goats for many years, and so have South Africa breeders, as well as ourselves. What I should have said, perhaps, is that, all who sell grades, that, they know are grades, having only the appearance of pure-hred goats, without the strength of blood to transmit, and impress their progeny, as they should, will soon be found out in their rascally practice and disappear from the field. I believe we have many "Angoras" that have been graded up from the common goat that, have greater power to transmit mohair blood, than many goats bred in Turke3^ and entitled to the proud title "thorough- bred." Blood will tell, and, I think, it has been the experience of all breeders of stock, in the past that when an animal has been bred a sufficient length of time so as to thoroughly fix his type, he can be re- lied upon t'o reproduce his kind with absolute certainty, but, I shall say more on this subject, when I get to the "Practical Parts of the Indus- try." CHAPTER X. C3NCERNING THE MANUFACTURE OF MOHAIR IN ASIA MINOR, ENGLAND, AND THE UNITED STATES. IN ASIA MINOR. Although goat hair has been used for clothing by many of the Eastern Nations for a great many cen- turies, it is, comparatively, a new textile in the manufactures of the present age. It is referred to as early as 1600 B. C. In Exodus, xxxv, chapter, 23, verse, we read : "And every man with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet and fine linen, and goat's hair brought them." Again in Exodus, xxxvi chapter, 14th verse : "And he made curtains of goat's hair for the tent over the tabernacle eleven curtains he made them." Mention is made in other parts of the Bible, of fine linen and "goat's hair" being spun by the women, which leaves no doubt that the ancients had learned a way of utilizing this fibre at a very early period in the history of the world. The Turks, in Asia Minor, at one time employed as many as 1200 looms in working up the fleece of the Angora goat, which was cahed by them ''tiftik." It was not allowed to be ex- ported in a raw state, in order to give employment to many of the laboring classes of that country, through whose hands the fibre had to pass in order to prepare it for the loom. As may well be supposed their methods were very primitive, and it is surprising to read of the beautiful fabrics that these ancient peo- ple made with their crude machinery. An EngHsh traveller, by ii8 A Nczv Industry. the name of Capt. Conelly, referred to by Mr. Southey in his work on "Colonial Wools," gives a very interesting description of the manner in which this ''tiftik" is manipulated. Capt. Conelly says : "The women of Angora moisten their carded goat's hair with much spittle before they draw it from the distaff, and they assert that the qual- ity of the thread much depends upon this; nay, more, that in the melon season thpir yarn is incomparably better, as eating this fruit imparts a mucilagenous quality to the saliva." The spinning of the thread is performed by men on a loom which is descibed by the Hon. Israel H. Diehl in a report made to the U. S. Department of Agriculture, as follows : "The fleece is first taken to a running stream, where it is washed by hand and tramped under foot in the water. It is then spread upon the sand to dry and bleach, after which it is assorted according to fineness, length, and purity. It is then hackled on a simple old-fashioned hack'e consisting of a few dozen long iron nails driven through a board. After hackling, the fleece is placed in bundles or rolls and spun into yarn, mostly by the women and children. For this purpose a common distafif is used, or a stick from 12 to 18 inches in length, with cross pieces, rendering it about equivalent to a large spool. It is then ready for the loom. This instrument in Angora is of the simplest and rudest construction, and of the same unvarying type, that has been used by countless generations. Asia- tic industry is frugal in labor-saving processes; when once machinery is brought to such a degree of efficiency as to render it barely possible for an unlimited amount of labor to supplement and supply its deficiencies, no further improvement is made. Men then subject themselves, their minds and muscles, to a training which makes them almost a part of the machines they operate. Caucasian mind seeks to emancipate itself from all unecessary labor by transferring it to machinery, thus leaving the mental faculties free for intellectual labor. Each of its tasks it devolves successively upon inanimate matter, while it continually ascends to high- er results. But this function of intelligence seems to be entirely ignored by Asiatic mind, and Asiatic art. "The Angora loom, of which engravings are presented, consists of two upright posts, from four to six feet apart, planted in the ground and running up through the floor (if there is one) to the roof of the house. Near the top of these posts a cross bar is rudely fastened, often with ropes, from which the simple weaving apparatus is suspended by pulleys and worked by treadles. These are located beneath the level of the floor, on the edge of which the weaver is seated. The woven cloth, passing 119 ^iE=-^^iSE=sg=^ipiMffliBM I i i '11' ;ill ^:-^-.><^^S^»>^rs^lj^^ B^lajjiiu.^ggpv 'i^r^- 0^iS^ Concerning the Manufaciure of Mohair. 121 round a roller in front of the weaver, is then drawn by weights over another roller above his head. These looms cost from $5.00 to $25.00, some of them being ornamented with rude carving. "The ordinary expense of a loom is given at $20.00 per month. A number of these looms are strung along the sides of the house, some houses containing as many as twenty looms." See Agtl. Dept. Report 1867, page 229. Dr. Hayes says : "The natives displayed great skill in making gloves, hosiery, and cam- lets, for exportation, and summer robes of great beauty, for the Turkish grandees. The town of Angora flourished, and the whole population was busy and happy in the pursuit of their beautiful industry. "After the Greek Revolution the Turkish government was tempted by British influence to admit free of duty, the products of European ma- chinery and to permit the export of the raw 'tiftik.' This fatal step was the death blow of the town of Angora. "The whole product with the exception of 20,000 pounds only, still worked at home, was exported to England. The looms employed were reduced from 1200, to not more than 50; and the town, although having at its command the raw material for a most important and characteristic manufacture, offers, in its sad decline, another monument to the desolating influence of that system which would make the raw material of every country tributary to the one great work-shop of the world." See Hayes, page 03. When we consider the fact that the Turks are now enjoy- ing benefits from a much greater number of goats than they would, probably, have ever had any use for under their primitive way of v^'eaving mohair, it seems to me Dr. Hayes was hardly justified in making the above statement. My personal opinion is, the entire world has been largely benefited through the enter- prise of English capital, and are today permitted to enjoy the privilege of using fabrics made from this valuable textile, which would not be the case if Sir Titus Salt had not invented proper machinery. IN ENGLAND. Mohair was first shipped to England in a raw state in 1820. In that year a few bales came to that market but so little was the material appreciated that it only real- ized lOd per lb. (see Vol. XVI, Encyclopedia Britannica, page 5M.) 123 A Nczv Industry. It was fifteen or twenty years later, before any decided in- terest was taken in the fibre, or about 1836, when Mr. (after- wards "Sir") Titus Sah, a wool broker and manufacturer in Bradford, purchased a quantity of Alpaca in Liverpool at Sd per lb. and set himself to discover its capabilities (see Vol. I, page 598, Encyclopedia Britannica.) Dr. Hayes quotes from "James' History of the Worsted Manufacturer," the following very interesting account of the matter : "The first marketable fabric from alpaca wool produced in Europe was made about 1832 by Benjamin Outram, a scientific manufacturer of Greetland, near Halifax, England, who surmounted the obstacles en- countered in spinning the slippery fibre and eventually produced an article for ladies' carriage shawls and cloakings which were sold at high prices on account of the novelty of the fabrics. Owing to the cheapness of the wool during the first years of its consumption, about eight pence, it was occasionly employed, instead of 'Lincoln hogs' wool for manufac- turing lastings and camlet warps. In 183'2 some enterprising merchants in Liverpool directed their agents in Peru to purchase, and ship to Eng- land all the parcels of alpaca wool they could meet with, which being sent to the Bradford district was spun and manufactured by several parties there. The pieces chiefly made were figured goods with a worsted warp, and alpaca weft, the figures being raised and lustrous. They did not re- main long in vogue. The use of alpaca wool with the worsted warp, the •only combination hitherto tried, would doubtless have declined, like that of other mere novelties in the textile manufacture, if a new combmation of alpaca wool had not been suggested by the introduction of the cotton warp from France into England in 1834, the most important event of the century in the worsted industry of the world. The credit of combining the cotton warp with an alpaca weft, and of finally overcoming the dif- ficulties of preparing and spinning the alpaca wool, is awarded, by com- mon consent, to Mr. (afterwards Sir) Titus Salt, who in 1839 was the only spinner of alpaca yarn in Bradford. The first successful manufacture v/as in the production of what was termed 'Alpaca Orlea.is,' and the first considerable order was in June, 1839, for five hundred and sixty pieces, twenty-seven inches wide at forty-two shillings per piece. From this per- iod the manufacture rapidly extended, giving rise to the magnificent establishment of Sir Titus Salt at Saltaire, employing over 3,000 hands in the manufacture of alpaca and mohair goods exclusively, nearly doubling the price of English lustre wools which were employed in making imi- tation alpacas, developing in Bradford tht. most characteristic and impor- tant of its industries, and giving, in the black alpaca lustres, and its imi-- tations, with wool from Lincoln sheep, the most valuable fabric which has been created for female wear during the present century." See Hayes pages 153 and 154. Concerning the Manufachire of Mohair. 123 The quantity of alpaca imported into England from 1836 to 1840 averaged only 560,800 pounds yearly. (See Ency- clopedia Britannica, Vol. I, p. 598.) The character of this fibre being very similar to the fleece of the Angora goat in length, lustre, and fineness, Sir Titus naturally looked to Asia Minor for their supply of mohair, and even with the addition of this prc'duct, which in 1836 (the first record of imports into England) reached 680,000 pounds, he did not have a sufficient supply of raw material to meet the demand for his manufactured fabrics, and it was this that encouraged the culture of the Angora goat in other countries. The supply of alpaca it would seem is limited to Peru. It has been nearly uniform for many years, and is es- timated to be about 5,000,000 lbs. per annum, at this time, with very little probability of its ever being increased very largely. Stimulated by the increased demand for mohair, which ad- vanced very steadily from about 20c per lb. in 1836, to 90c m 18G3, the Turks rapidly increased their number of Mohair goata by crossing on the common ("Kurd") goat of their country, and with the successful culture of the animal in South Africa, the supply of raw material increased quite as fast as was neces- sary, the annual product of both kinds (Alpaca and Mohair) be- ing estimated now at 25,000,000 lbs. In 1853, Sir Titus Salt erected in Bradford, England, the largest Mohair mill in the world, which practically gave him the control of the trade, of which he continued to be the head up to the time of his death which took place in 1876. This great es- tablishment received its first check in prosperity with the intro- duction of the fine all-wool French Cashmere goods, which fin- ally caused the firm of Sir Titus Salt, Bart & Co. to suspend in 1880 (see Bulletin Natl. Ass. Wool Mfr. Dec. 1895, page 320). A statue of Sir Titus Salt was erected in Bradford, in honor of the man, and as a slight recognition of the great service he had rendered the world, and the direct benefit he had been to his own home, during an active life of more than half a century. IN THE UNITED STATES. The United States was slow in taking hold of. this new textile, and it was not until a /..',/ / .VCTC I lldllStl \. (|u;'.rtiM" ol ;i ccn(iir\ al'k'r it had l)C(.'ii introduced into l^n^iaiid tliat any attiMnpt was inado 1)\' Annrican manufacturers to use it. In Mr. field's \cr\ inti'rcslinj;- paper on "The Ooat," jiul)- hshed in the .\>;'tl. I>ept. l\eporl ot' IS(i;>, he sa\s : "MacliiiUTv is now hriiii.; errotod, and inM-lcclcil hy llu' l,o\\i.-ll. I'a- cifu-, and (mIut mills, (o work up this Ili'i'Ci', and nianuiarturo llu' Tnu'St fal)rics, llnis only awailin,^' lln' wauds adapleil and (.'slahlishin.L;- a mar- ket." v'^eo V. S. A-ll. Report 1S(1:!, pa.^c L'-JD. It would seem lio\\i.'\er that these mills diil not accomplish very nnudi. In ISdC, under the ;;dnhnistration of rresiileut Johnson, the lion. Isaac Xewlon, (.'onunissioner of .Vorieulture, called attention to the matter in his report for that \ ear, as iu\- low s : "Two mounU'd spreinu'ns ol' llu' Aii.^ora .miat lia\-o heen added to the museum, lo;_'elher wilh samjdes oi (lie wool, and \arious iaJH-ics macle from the same. 'iMie imporlatioii and hreedin;;' ot these animals have at- Iraeted much aUenlion in eei'lain see(i(u;s of the eounlry: their lleeees command a hi.^h price and llu' \'alne of their manufaetuiws would seem to warrant the eneoura.^iii.L; attentiim of the 1 )ep:irl men!." See Rep(n-t of A-tl. ISCd, pa-e II. It had been representcil for a lono- titne l)\ those ititer- esled in hjtohnul, that the process of maitttact tiritiL; mohair was very cxpettsiw, and that its manipitlatioti was kttowti otiK to a very lew, but these representations were foutui to he false, ami were douhtless circulated to discottra^e i>ther countries from eti- .^■ai;iui;- in the hitsiness. In ISiK; the I loti. Israel II. Diehl was commissioned hy the I'tiitid v^tates Aofietiltural hepartmetit to visit I'lttrope for tin- pitrpose of itix'cstii^atin:.;- the tuatter, aiul, if possible, to secttre such itiformatiott attd p.arlictilars as woidd onabU' the mamilact iirers {^i this coutitr\ to make use o\ the Ano'ora j^'oat lleece. Me saw at the exhibitioti itt Taris, a i^reat variety (d machiner\ for carditii;', scrubbitio-, si'iuuino- attd weav- inji' the libre which was claimed to ha\e been made lari;"eh- in Hraclford, b'tt^latid, and Uotibeaitx, iM'ance. and in his repi)rt to (he .\j.;itcttll ttral lV'])artment in IS(i';, he s^'ave a full tlcscriplion of these machines toijcther with the names of matittfactttrers, etc. Concerning the Manufcuiure of Mohair. 125 Commissioner Newton adds the following with reference to Mr. Diehl's work : "Mr. Diehl visited the Paris Exposition, where he directed his at- tention to the fabrics of various kinds of goat fleece. He was astonished and delighted at the extent, variety, delicacy and exquisite beauty of the specimens contributed by the looms of Asia Minor, India, France, Eng- land, Germany, and other '■ountries represented in this department of the Exposition. These manufactures consisted of shawls, camlets, chal- lis, mohairs, poplins, velvets, delaines, hosiery, yarns, gowns, robes, rugs, fur trimmings, tassels, etc. Some of them were made of pure goats' fleece, and others, of the fleece mixed with wool, cottons, silks, and other fil^res, imparting to these compounds a lustre, strength, and durability, which no other fibre, except silk, will secure. Nearly every nation rep- resented at the Exposition presented some beautiful manufactures of goats' fleece. India, England, France, and Austria, seemed to excel in the more delicate fabrics, while Turkey exhibited the greatest variety and richness of the raw material." See Agtl. Dept. Report, 1870, p. 226. And in conclusion he says: "The manufacture of 'Cashmere,' camels' hair' and other shawls, once so flourishing in Asia, is greatly impaired, and, in many places, entirely discontinued. But few of the once famous Cashmere shav/ls have been manufactured since the rise of the fatal competition of Lyons, Paris, Paisley, Vienna, and other manufacturing centers in Europe. Cau- causian capital and skill, aided by the elaborate contrivances of machinery, can now produce, at much lower prices, fabrics as delicate, and beautiful, as the famous Cashmere shawls, though, doubtless, not so durable. The immediate introduction of this shawl weaving into the United States is perhaps impracticable, though its final success here is but a question of time. The obstacles to be overcome are lack of skilled labor, of machin- ery, and of active home demand for fabrics of goat fleece. "None of these, however, are very formidable. Sufficient labor and machinery can be imported to meet present necessities, while the ready intelligence of our workingmen and the profound and subtle genius of our inventors may be relied upon to surpass, very soon, our imported models. "The increasing taste and luxury fostered by the rapidly accumulat- ing wealth of the American people, and the enormous reduction in the cost qf manufacturing this beautiful staple from the fancy prices hitherto commanded by Oriental manufacture, will soon create a permanent home demand. This will give a comfortable support to a large industrial pop- ulation, and assist in arresting the increasing drain upon our circulating medium, caused by large importations of manufactures of wool, cotton, silk, and flax, a matter of no small importance in the present financial condition of the country. ' See Agtl. Dept. Report 1807, page 230. i.?6 A New Indnslry. Through the influence of this information quite a number of American manufacturers decided to import machinery for the purpose of manufacturing Mohair, and the use of it has steadily increased ever since, and is constantly being applied in making new fabrics which are always attractive and popular. Referring to the "Application of Products" in 1868, Dr. Hayes says : "It has been already stated that mohair is not a substitute for wool, but that it occupies its own place in the textile fabrics. It has the as- pect, feel and lustre of silk, without its suppleness. It differs materially from wool in the want of the felting cjuality, so that the stufifs made of it have the fibres distinctly separated and are always brilliant. They do not retain the dust or spots, and are thus particularly valuable for furniture goods. The fibre is dyed with great facility, and is the only textile fibre which takes equally the dyes destined for all tissues. On account of the stiffness of the fibre it is rarely woven alone; that is, when used for the fill- ing, the warp is usually of cotton, silk or wool, and the reverse. It is not desired for its softness in addition to silkiness, such qualities as are found in Cashmere and Mauchamp wool; but for the elasticity, lustre, and durability of the fibre with sufficient fineness to enable it to be spun. Those who remember the fashions of thirty or forty years ago may call to mind the camlets so extensively used for cloaks and other outer garments, and will doubtless remember that some were distinguished for their peculiar lustre and durability, which was generally attributed to the presence of silk in the tissue. These camlets were woven from mo- hair. Its lustre and durability peculiarly fit this material for the manufac- ture of braids, buttons, and bindings, which greatly outwear thosp of silk and wool. The qualities of lustre and elasticity particularly fit this material for its chief use, the manufacture of Utrecht velvets, commonly called furniture plush, the finest qualities of which are composed princi- pally of mohair; the pile being formed of mohair warp, which are cut in the same manntr £s s Ik warps in velvets. Upon pass'ng the finger light- ly over the surface of the best mohair plushes, the rigidity and elasticity of the fibre will be distinctly perceived. The fibre springs back to its original uprightness when any pressure is removed. The best mohair plushes are al- most indestructible. They have been in constant use on certain railroad cars in the covmtry for over twenty years without wearing out. They are now sought by all the best railroads in the country as the most enduring of all coverings, an unconscious tribute to the remarkable qualities of this fibre. The manufacture of Utrecht velvets at Amiens, in France, con- sumes 500,000 pounds of mohair, which is spun in England. 10,000 work- men were employed in weaving these goods at Amiens, in 1855, the pro- duct being principally sent to the United States. The mohair plushes are made of yarns from No. 26 to No. 70; the tissties made of the former num- Concerning the Manufacture of Mohair. 127 ber. are worth four francs per metre, and of the latter ten francs per metre, showing the importance of preserving the fineness of the fleece. A med- ium article is made extensively in Prussia, of yarns spun from an admix- ture of mohair with combing wool; but it is wanting in the evenness of surface and brilliant reflections, or bloom, of the French goods. Mohair yarn is employed largely in Paris, Nismes, Lyons, and Germany, for the manufacture of laces, which are substituted for the silk-lace fabrics of Valenciennes and Chantilly. The shawls frequently spoken of as made of Angora wool are of a lace texture, and do n.ot correspond to the Cash- mere, or Indian shawls. The shawls known as Llama shawls are made of mohair. I have seen one at Stewarts' wholesale establishment, valued at $80.00, weighing only two and one-third ounces. Mohair is also large- ly consumed at Bradford, in England, in the fabrication of light summer goods. They are woven with warps of silk and cotton, principally the latter, and the development of this manufacture is due principally to the improvements in making fine cotton warps the combination of wool with mohair not being found advantageous. These goods are distinguished by their lustre, and by the rigidity of the fabric. All the mohair yarns used in Europe are spun in England, the English having broken down, by temporary reduction of prices, all attempts at spinning in France. Suc- cessful experiments at spinning and weaving Angora fabrics have been made in this country, as shown by the samples of yarn spun by Mr. Cam- eron, and the dress goods spun and woven by Mr. Fay of the Lowell Manufacturing Co., from Angora wool grown by Mr. Chenery of Bel- mont, Mass. Before the demand for this material for dress goods, and plushes, mohair was largely used in Europe, and this country, for last- ings for fine broadcloths, the lustrous surface acting as a frame, in a picture, to set off the goods. This use is now abandoned. Mohair is now extensively used to form the pile of certain styles of plushes used for ladies' cloakings; also for the pile of the bst fabrics style' Astrachans. Narrow strips of the skin of the Angora, with the fleece attached, have been recently in fashion for trimmings, and great prices were obtained for a lim- ited number of the pelts for this purpose. The skins with the fleece at- tached will always bring high prices for foot rugs, on accotmt of their peculiar lustre, and the advantages they possess over those made of wool, in not being liable to felt." (See Hayes, pp. 37, 38, 39.) And in a subsequent edition of iiis work in 1882 he adds : "I have but little to add to the observations in my original essay upon the various applications of mohair. I have mentioned its application at Bradford in the manufacture of light dress goods. I did not mention the far more extensive use to which mohair until very recently has been ap- plied, for more substantial fabrics, which for a time were in great vogue for ladies' dress goods, called 'brilliantines' or 'lustres,' a black fabric is8 ' A Neiv Industry. of peculiarly brilliant lustre. Fabrics of this class, composed of mohair, made by the Arlington Mills of Lawrence, Mass., and the Farr Alpaca Company of Holyoke, Mass., received high commendation from the Eng- lish judges at our Centennial Exhibition. Through a singular freak of fashion, more particularly referred to in the appendix, the lustre fabrics have ceased, temporarily, to be in demand, thus dispensing with the most important use of mohair, and causing its present reduced price at Brad- ford, which rules the prices for the rest of the world. Another very im- portant application of mohair, as affected by fashion, is in the manufac- ture of black fabrics for the lining of men's garments, of the more expen- sive class. I have a great-coat with a mohair lining, which has been ni use for five years. The cloth is worn out, but the lining, which at first glance would be mistaken for silk, does not show the slightest trace of wear or fraying in the most exposed parts. There could be no more con- clusive evidence of the ex'-raordinary wearing qualities of this fibre, and of its adaptation to hundreds of uses to which it has not yet been applied. The English letter given below shows that mohair is still extensively used at Bradford for making yarns for Utrecht velvets, generally called in this country 'mohair plush.' This fabric has of late come into greatly increased demand, both for furniture coverings and railroad car uphol- stery, as it is not only sightly, but the most enduring fabric produced by the textile industry. The manufacture of Utrecht velvets has not been attempted in this country; it waits only for an abundant home supply of mohair. The consumption of this fabric by the railroads of the United States alone would require the mohair from many hundred thousands ani- mals. Other applications of mohair would suggest themselves to manu- facturers if there were an assurance of an abundant supply of raw material. That but slight difficulties are to be encountered in the manipulation of this material is shown in the following letter from a practical English man- ufacturer, whose modesty forbids the mention his name, but whose entire reliability I can vouch for. '" , England, Aug. 16th, 1881. '■ 'John E- TTayes, Esq., 95 State Street Boston: " 'Dear Sir— Your esteemed favor of the 3rd inst. is duly to hand. I hasten, as a practical man in the manipulation of mohair, to give you a sketch, or short essay, on its spinning and working. " 'Its grozvth, as you well know, is from two districts, or I may state three, viz. : 1. Asia Minor, about 4,800,000 pounds 2. The Cape 1,600,000 pounds 3. California 350,000 pounds Australia and the rest of the world 25,000 pounds Gingeline, also Asia Minor 120,000 pounds Van. also Asia Minor 240,000 pounds 7,135,000 Concerning the Mannfacturc of Mohmr. 129 With a chance of this seven millions being doubled in a few years, not by the Turks, but by the Natalians, or South Africaners, and the Ameri- cans, whose countries are endless for its growth. So far, therefore, as to the quantity now produced. '■ 'Its 'manipulation is similar to the Lincoln wether wool. It is sorted into various qualities or grades, both for color and dyeing, but these may be said to be really No. 20, the breech, amounting to 2 per cent. No, 32, the next sort 45 per cent. No. 36, the next sort 27 per cent. No. 40, the next sort 8 per cent. No. 50 and GO, the next sort 3.50 per cent. Shorts and kempy pieces 14.50 per cent. 100 " 'As many as twenty-four sorts are sometimes made, but really about nine sorts are enough. Its combing is simple. Lister's machine is all you require. In order to get your top quite clear of kemp, you take what is called a milking, or backing noil out, and this either recombed or mixed ofif with the low sorts. To get clear and good tops it is necessary to comb them twice. " 'Its drawing is perhaps the most difficult operation, as you must have a perfectly even and level roving so as to prevent curl. " 'Its spinning requires nothing more than the ordinary skill. Be sure and avoid curl. You must have the common flyer. Cap, or ring, spin- ning won't do; the hairs, or kemps, fly so, and make your thread rough. Speed not more than 2,500. " 'Its twisting also must be done on fl}^ twisters, for the same 'smooth' reasons. " 'The Yarn and its Uses — Tl e chief use is for Utrecht velvets and imi- tation seal skins, then braids, etc.; in former fashions, alpaca lustres. Yarns for Utrecht velvets, seals and braids are all 2-fold, and the counts vary from 2-fold 32's, to 50's, for Utrecht velvets; from 2-fold 18's, to 60's, for imitation seals; and also single I's, and 2-fold 6's, for nigger heads, and astrachans; from 2-fold 32's to 60's for braids, and also 2-fold 32's for 'ice yarn,' used for ladies' fingerings, and single 30's to 40's for alpaca lustres and mohair glaces. " 'So far, then, I give you a rough sketch of the sorting, combing drawing, spinning and twisting; and for your inspection, send you the enclosed list of samples, with such remarks as may be of interest to you. Always at your service, and thanking you for past kindnesses, " 'I am, yours, faithfully, (See Hayes, pp. 72, 73 and 74.) ■ ^30 A New Industry. It is estimated we have in the United States at the pres- ent time forty-nine manufacturers, who are using mohair, dis- tril)uted as follows: in Connecticut 1 Mill In Maine 11 Mills In Massachusetts 13 Alills And six woolen mills who use some mohair at times for dress goods. In New Jersey , • • • • 1 Mill In New York o Worsted Mills In New York 1 Braid Mill In New York 3 Hatters In Pennsylvania 7 Mills In Rhode Island 3 Mills In addition to the above, are a number of dress goods man- ufacturers who occasionly use mohair either raw, or in yarn, to mix with wool in dress goods and fancy efifects, also about a dozen knitters and some cap manufacturers who consume some. The amount of mohair consumed by the above mills is dif- ficult to learn, as a considerable amount passes through the hands of dealers in the interior and some is shipped direct to mills l)y the grower. The following table of imports is taken fr(^m the National Association of Wool Manufacturers' Bulle- tin for December, 1895, which is now very efficiently edited by Mr. S. N. D. North, the successor to Dr. John L. Hayes, who died in the spring of 1887: Exports of Mohatr to the United States for Five Years. FList (if January t-o Thtrty-Urst of December. 1890 i o 1894. Packages Pounds Value During- the year 1890 During the year 1891 During the year 1892 During the year 1893 During the year 1894 Also 1st Jan. to 30th Sept., 1895 .A.verage Exports per .\nnum, 1890 to 1894. 1,624 8,594 7,117 2,767 4,743 12,297 4,969 437,319 1,536,105 1,166,473 541,770 861,123 2,061,549 908,558 : 24,604 87,577 67,537 27,094 48,229 130,196 51,008 Concerning the Mannfaciure of Mohair. ISl It will be observed that the importations from year to year vary largely, which is explained by the changes in fashions for ladies' dress goods. It is safe to say however, that the annual consumption of mohair at the present time (1900) will average 2,000,000 lbs. of which about 1,200,000 lbs. is imported and 800,000 lbs. is produced in our own country. Plushes, upholstery goods, linings and buggy robes, are regarded as standard, and affords a regular demand, for a very considerable amount of the product, which is steadily increasing. In 1882 Dr. Hayes estimated that 562,000 lbs. of mohair was required annually for making plush for the covering of railroad car seats alone ; and it is safe to say that 750,000 lbs. of this fab- ric are consumed for this purpose at the present time (1900) if not more. In addition to this, upholsters goods, linings and buggy robes call for fully as much more, which lepresents 1,500,- 000 lbs. of this material, taken for standard goods, consumed in the United States alone. Other countries will soon learn of the lasting qualities of this fibre, and it is very reasonable to believe that a large export trade will spring up for American manufactures of mohair as soon as our supply of raw material will justify it. Besides this, a great variety of other goods will be made, such as hosiery, knit underwear, etc., which will constantly increase the demand from, manufacturers, and if a proper tariff is maintained that will en- courage American farmers to engage in raising the Angora goat, there is little doubt but we will soon be enjoying a very great benefit from this new industry. PLATE XXXVIII. DUG-OUT. Often used in place of tents, for sbepherds, in permanent camps. Commercial Feectxires of the Irvd^stry. CHAPTER XL WHERE TO SELL MOHAIR, AND HOW IT IS GRADED. I do not think I exaggerate when I say that, not one mer- chant, in one thousand, has ever seen a bag of mohair, and not one, in fifty thousand, has any knowledge of the grades of it, how it is manipulated, or where it can be sold. A commission merchant, unless he makes a specialty of some certain product, wall receive anything on earth upon consignment, from a bushel of wheat to a steam locomotive, but it does not necessarily fol- low that he is competent to handle the same. I recall a circum- stance of this nature, during my residence in St. Louis. It was in the year 1874 that a commission merchant received several large bags of Angora goat hair from one of his constituents, which he had offered for sale to every one he could think of, but to no purpose. No one seemed to know what it was, and it remained in store year after year, and was finally disposed of for a pittance, as filling for mattresses, or something of the kind. I remember, distinctly, seeing the stuff, but at that time I did not know anything about mohair, and I only make mention of the matter now, to show how important it is for a producer to select a competent representative to sell his products through. During the time this mohair was lying in a warehouse in St. Louis, the market value of it in England ranged between 70c and 90c a pound and the manufacturers in that country would have been glad to have bought it at that high price. There was little or no demand for it in this country, but if it had been consigned to a proper market, and to a mohair merchant, he would have shipped it to England, and have realized a proper value for it. 176 A Nctu Industry. A great many owners of small flocks sell their clips, even at this late day, either to some speculator in the interior, or to their local merchant, and, as a rule, receive a very small sum for it. I have heard of mohair selling in this way for 17c per pound in Texas, when I received 30c to 32c for a like kind through my selling agents in New York. The value of mohair is largely governed by the caprice of fashion. If the fashion for ladies' dress favors "lustre goods," mohair is in greater demand and prices advance considerably. If fashion does not favor this class of goods, the trade is con- fined to standard articles, such as plush, upholsteries, linings, etc. for w^hich there is always a demand at a more or less uniform price. The experience of many years in England has established the fact that 25c to 30c per pound is as low as good mohair v/ill decline to, under most adverse conditions ; and, at this price, with well improved goats, the profit in raising them is very satisfactory. Liverpool, London, and Bradford, England, are the great central markets of the world for this product. The entire out- pur of Turkey and South Africa is sent there for sale, and it is then distributed to manufacturers in this country and Europe. Tlirough the courtesy of Messrs. Thomas & Cook, I append a list of imports into England, from the very incipiency of the trade. These gentlemen appear to have been connected with the business from the very beginning and shared liberally in tlie spirit of enterprise which extended the growth of this val- uable fibre into South Africa. Indeed, Mr. Cook was named by Sir Titus Salt as the selling agent of all the mohair that was to be produced from one of the first flocks of goats that was sent to that country in 1857, and from that day to the present time, his firm has been closely, and prominently, identified with the trade. The following is a list of the annual imports of mohair into England from Turkey since the year 1836 ; and, from South Af- rica, since the vear I860 : Where to sell Mohair, and hozv it is Graded. 137 IMPORTS OF MOHAIR INTO ENGLAND FROM TURKEY. 1836 680,000 1857 2,826,000 1878 4,641,000 1837 400,000 ! 1858 3,212,000 1879 5,831,000 1838 995,000 1859 2.160,000 1880 8,245,000 1839 1,250,000 1860 2,016,000 1881 4,221,780 1840 1,300,000 ' 1861 2.800.000 1882 9,065,250 1841 781,000 1862 3,186,000 1883 7,256,960 1842 677,000 1863 1,985,000 1884 9,019,860 1843 575,523 1864 3,450,000 . 1885 6,373,640 1844 1,290,771 1865 5,000,000 1886 9,825.320 1845 1,013,000 1866 3,960,000 1887 5,612,550 1846 1,287,320 1867 1,080,000 1888 7,509,070 1847- 1,219,000 1868 6,714,000 1889 8,844,080 1848 2,101,000 1869 4.103.000 1890 4,120,220 1849 2,387,000 1870 2,340,000 1891 6,495,115. 1850 2,019,000 1871 7.488,000 1892 8,774,541 1851 2,122,000 1872 5,501.000 1893 8,005,887 1852 1,918,000 j 1873 7,666,000 1894 6,889,165 1853 2,916,509 1874 7.992,000 1895 11,900,000 1854 1,178,560 1875 5.321,000 1896 4,900,000 1855 2.520.000 1876 4,430,000 1897 10,700,000 1856 2,430,000 1877 5,984,000 1898 10,200,000 IMPORTS OF MOHAIR INTO ENGLAND FROM SOUTH AFRICA. 1860 385 1873 765,700 1886 5.420,000 1861 784 1874 1.030,000 1887 7,153,000 1862 1,030 1875 1.150,000 1888 9,598,000 1863 1,300 1876 1,330,000 1889 9,440,000 1864 8,100 1877 1,437,000 1890 9,230,000 1865 6,990 1878 1,360,000 1891 9,950,000 1866 21,000 1879 2,280,000 1892 10,516,000 1867 51.000 1880 2,590,000 1893 9,458,000 1868 103.000 1881 4,140.000 1894 9,600.000 1869 261,000 1882 3,776,000 1895 11,100,000 1870 405,000 1883 4.440,000 1896 10,000,000 1871 536,000 1884 4,320,000 1897 12,583,000 1872 876,700 1885 5,250,000 1898 10,000,000 1^8 A Nczv Industry. In the United States, the City of New York is the central market. Mr. Wm. R. Payne of the firm of Wm. R. Payne & Co., is, perhaps, more intimately connected with the trade, than any other merchant. He appears to have had a natural fondness for the business for there was very little profit in it for many years, yet he has always used his I3est efforts to build up the breeding industry, and has worked, unceasingly, to encourage our government to bring in new blood from Turkey. He has written to the press, and has been, and is now, always ready to give information to breeders, no matter how small they may be, relative to the business. He has very kindly assisted me in getting information concerning the manner in which this pro- duct is handled, and has aided me largely in other matters, for which I feel under great obligation. Messrs. Kitching & Bicknell have also been prominent factors in building up the mohair industry, and enjoy the confi- dence of a large number of breeders. In addition to these may be mentioned : J. C. Ijnde &r Co., New York. Jno. M. Emnott, New York. John Finnigan & Co.. New York. Hutchins & Co.. P)Oston. L. S. Fiskc & Co.. Philadelphia. Who handle more or less of the product. The amount of mohair consumed annually in the world can only be arrived at through the importations into England from the Cape of Good Hope, and from Turkey, added to the clip of the United States. The following table will, therefore, give a very fair idea of the world's present consumption : Imports from South Africa to England 10,000,000 pounds Imports from Turkey to England 10,200,000 pounds Product of the United States 800,000 poundr. Total 21,000,000 pounds Where to sell Mohair, and how it is Graded. IS9 This includes all classes, and, as much of the product of South x^frica and the United States, is of a low, cross-bred, or- der, short in staple, and kempy, much of it is only entitled to be called mohair "by courtesy." Every indication points to a large increase in the uses of this product, as may be readily inferred after reading the forego- ing chapter on manufacturing, and, that the raising of the An- gora goat offers great inducement to the American farmer, ad- mits of no argument. Indeed, conditions are more favorable for the culture of this animal in the United States, than any other country, not excepting its native land, Asia. . That the climate of the United States is peculiarly adapted to the growth of both animal and vegetable fibre is evidenced by the wonderful development of our cotton product, a plant in- troduced in this country less than two hundred years ago, and for the past century has maintained supremacy over all other growths. The development of the Spanish Merino sheep was attempted first in England, as early as 1788, by King George III., but was abandoned, (see Ency. Brit. Vol. I, 303) and was taken up by Americans early in the 19th century, and carried to a successful termination, resulting in the established breed of "American Merinos," which have been celebrated the world over for density of fleece, and fineness of fibre, for the past thirty years or longer. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to think that we will, sooner or later, take the lead of all nations in the product of mohair, as we have done with cotton, and would cer- tamly have done with wool, if it had not been for the vacillating policy of our law-makers relating to a protective tariff. As be- fore stated, the demand for mohair is largely governed by the freaks of fashion, but for staple goods, such as plushes, uphol- stery goods, finings, etc., there is always a regular demand for such grades as are suitable for this class of manufactures, but, the dress goods, and braid trade is uncertain and variable. The following extract from Dr. Hayes' work will convey some idea of the enormous demand for plush alone, and it should be borne in mind that the gfreat increase in railroad building since Mr. i/fo A Nezv Industry. Poor's estimate was made (1882) will justify a very large increase on his figures at the present time. I think, too, that his estimate should have been made upon the basis of three pounds of fleece, in place of four, which will largely increase his estimate of the number of goats. "Mr. H. V. Poor, the best American authority on railroads, informs me that not less than three thousand new passenger cars are built in the United States annually for old roads, and the number is increasing as new roads are built. Each passenger car has sixty seats, Four yards of mohair plush are required for each seat. There are nine ounces of mohair to a yard of plush, making 562,000 pounds of mohair for the three thousand cars. This divided by four, the average weight of the fleece, shows that about 150,000 Ang ras would be required to furnish the raw material for this single fabric, which will never go out of' fashion." (See Hayes, p. 118.) As a rule, most of the American clip of mohair has to be graded to prepare it for sale, which is done by the commission merchant who receives it upon consignment. Very few breed- ers have been so careful in breeding as to have a perfectly uni- form lot of goats, and their clips naturally show dilTerent strains of blood, which makes grading a necessary feature in handling it, when it reaches market. This shows the importance of hav- ing an experienced merchant to consign to, for it is pure guesr^- work to determine the value of a lot of mohair ungraded, yet, it is often, and I may say, universallv done in the interior, when it is sold to local merchants or to speculators, who generally buy in a lump, which explains the low price they usually pay. By a careful assortment of the different grades, the pro- ducer receives full compensation for h s product, and the manu- facturer is better satisfied, even after paying a premium over what he had, figured on. The characteristics which govern the STadins: of mohair are 1st. The finest fibre. 2d. The longest staple. 3d. The brightest lustre. 4th. The cleanest condition. Where to sell Mohair, and hotv it is Graded. 141 Each merchant has liis own method of grading, which I consider wrong in principle. There should be a standard grade, in niy opinion, so that when quotations are named for any par- ticular grade of mohair, you may know it is not of this, or that, merchants' grading, but a "National standard grade," agreed to by all concerned in the trade. This is a very confusing element in many of our agricultural products, notably wool, which is hand- led very much in the same manner as mohair, and it is really impossible to determine what the market value of wool is by reading a market report of prices, unless you happen to be fa- miliar with the grades of the market. Each selling market of this product has a distinct and separate set of terms for different grades of wool, which the merchant and dealers in that market, of course, understand, but to the people at large is a perfect enigma. If "standard grades" could be agreed upon, as is follow- ed by the cotton trade in cur country, it would simplify matters, and would result in great benefit to producers. Of course, this reform can only come about by concert of action on the part of merchants engaged in the trade, and it is to be hoped, after our mohair industry has reached proportions to justify it, they will unite upon some uniform plan for grading which will be agree- able to all The method of grading mohair at this time is to first class- ify it into three large divisions, viz : 1st. Combing. 2d. Carding. 3d. Coarse. These are again sub-divided by grades into the following: COMBING MOHAIR. XX Combing, or very finest, of 6 inches, and above. No. 1 Combing, or second finest, of six inches and above. No. 2 Combing, or third finest, of 6 inches, and above. Braid Combing, or fourth finest, of 6 inches, and above. Fine baby combing, a No. 1 medium staple, 5 to (i mch staple. Medium Combing, a No. 2 medium staple, 5 to 6 inch staple. i4'2 A Nczv Industry. CARDING MOHAIR. Carding- No. 1, and kid, less than 5 inches. Carding No. 2, less than 5 inches. Blanket — All cross-bred, of a low medium grade. COARSE MOHAIR. Carpet — Next lower quality. Common goat — White and gray. Burry, and seedy. Black Fleeces. Locks, Breech, and Manes. In determining value of mohair it is manifest that a fleece having the Very finest fibre. The longest staple. The brightest lustre, and The cleanest condition would be considered the most valuable, and form a standard by which all other qualities are fixed. As there are variations from this ideal standard, in respect to all four points running through the whole scale of grades, so the values vary. THE TURKISH SYSTEM. In Turkey, as a rule, each Province, or Vilayet, produces mohair that differs in character, condition, etc. The stock is r.sually assorted in Constantinople, and classified as louovvs; "Choice." "Superior." "Good Average." '"Average." "Ordinary." The white hair is separated from yellow, and stained ; and, all gray, brown, and fav/n, colors, are graded out. Then each Province's hair is sold under its own name, such as "Angora," "Tscherkess," "Kastombol," "Ishkissier," "Geridah," "Bei- bax.ar," etc. Where to sell Mohair, and hozv it is Graded. 14s. But, in addition to these factors m fixing value there is another feature that has to be considered. Mohair, being chiefly used in the manufacture of ''Worsted" yarns, has to be "combed," the proportion of short, woolly, and kempy, undergrowth, and all shortfibres of puremohair, therefore, hastobeconsidered. This is called "Noilage." When the mohair at the mill has been sorted it is called "matchings ;" and, after scouring, is put in a machine called a "comb." The first operation takes out the very bottom of wooly fibre, and whatever kemp there is, with, very often, specks of vegetable fibre, seeds, etc., which is called "first comb- ing noils." The second passage through the comb, separates all the mohair fibres, too short to spin into worsted yarn. This pro- duct is called the "second combing noils," and is a mohair fibre, but quite short. The long fibres are arranged parallel in a long, continuous band called "Top," from which it is .spun into yarn. It is quite evident that the less "noils," and the more "top," a lot of mohair yields, the more profitable, and valuable, it is. Turkish mohair averages from 10 per cent, to 20 per cent. "noils," while the American clip ranges from 22 per cent, to 40 per cent., hence the relative difference in value. A few American clips are quite as free from "noils" as the Turkish mohair, and commands an equal price in market; and, there is no reason, if proper care is used in shearing the goats, why a large amount of our clip should not occupy the same po- sition. The value of combing hair increases with every inch in length, other factors being equal. The very coarse-fibred hair, from old bucks and wethers, when twelve inches and over is used for doll's hair, for wigs, and artificial gray hair for ladies, and ranges in value from 50c to 75c per pound. The following table will give the price at which mohair has sold in England since 185G, which is taken from the Bulletin of the National Wool Manufacturer's Association for December, 1895 : 144 ^ Nezv Industry. PRICES OF MOHAIR IN ENGLAND SINCE 1856. 1856 48 cents 1857 &{j cents 1858 60 cents 1859 72 cents 1860 76 cents 1861 76 cents 1862 78 cents 1863 90 cents 1864 78 cents 1865 66 cents 1866 88 cents 1867 90 cents 1868 5i cents 1859 86 cents 1870 98 cents 1871 78 cents 1872 90 cents 1873 Q{) cents 1874 T'O cents 1875 . . .82 cents 1876 . .62 cents 1877 56 cents 1878 62 cents 1879 36 cents 1880 && cents 1881 38 cents 1882 45 cents 1883 . 40 to 43 cents 1884 37 to 45 cents 1885 28 to 38 cents 1886 . 23 to 32 cents 1887 .25 to 29 cents 1888 24 to 28 cents 1889 25 to 42 cents 1890 27 cents 189] 24 cents 1892 24 to 29 cents 1893 37 cents 1894 27 to 31 cents 1895 28 to 64 cents CHAPTER XII. HOW TO PREPARE MOHAIR FOR MARKET. In shearing" goats it is very important that the cHpping should be as close to the skin as possible, as the longer the hair is the more money it will command in market. One of the re- cently patented shearing machines is probably the best method of taking off the fleece as it will insure a uniform staple, which is a very important feature. If ordinary wool shears are used, try and make one clip of the shears do the work. It is quite common with nearly all professional shearers, when they are paid by the head, to run over their work as fast as they can, in order to earn as much as possible during the day. Quite a rivalry exists among a gang, usually, as to which one can shear the fastest, and it is quite common for them to cut the hair into sev- eral pieces unless you are watching them, and insist upon their being more careful. The short hairs are of very little value, as explained in the foregoing chapter, and, when too short, will fly away in handling, which is a complete loss. If the fleeces are of different lengths, the longest mohair should be kept separate. Coarse, kempy, hair (quite common in low grades of goats), should not be mixed with the better grades, as it will reduce the selling price of the liner hair. The beard of the animal is of but little value and should not be removed. The most approved method for shearing, perhaps, is to first shear the locks, and short belly hair, and then take off the fleece proper, which should be kept in tact, as far as possible, folding each fleece separate, and placing it in a bag as soon as shorn. 1^6 A Nciv Industry. It is not necessary to tie the fleece with twine. If any of the hair contains burrs, or any vegetable, or foreign matter, it should be packed separate ; and all black, and off-colored fleeces should be kept together. Kid fleeces will command a premium ; and, if there are enough of them, to make a package of any reasonable size, it is well not to mix them with the older hair. The ordinary wool sack is commonly used for shipping, and between 150 to 175 pounds is quite enough to pack in a six foot sack. More than this can be tramped into it, but it is best not to pack too tight. Some breeders, more particularly in New Mexico, put their mohair up in compressed bales like cotton. This is a very poor plan, as it must be assorted, and classified by the merchant, when it reaches its destination, and if it is loosely packed, it fa- cilitates the handling of it, and always presents a better appear- ance than when all the life has been squeezed out of it by pressing. CHAPTER XIII. THE TRADE IN ANGORA GOAT SKINS, AND HOW 1*0 PREPARE THEM FOR MARKET' Quite an extensive trade is carried on in Angora goat skins. No less than twenty thousand pelts are imported every year through the port of New York, alone, from Turkey and South Africa, which are graded according to the length of hair, fullness of fleece and weight. Turkish skins usually range from $1.50 for five pound skins up to $3.50 for a ten pound skin. The Cape skin (the term "Cape" is applied to it because it is shipped through the Cape of Good Hope) is sold by weight, and ranges from twenty-five to thirty cents per pound. The Domestic skin is very much like "Cape's," and sells for about the same price ; though, if they are well fleeced and prop- erly cured will bring $2.00 to $2.50. The kid skin sells at from 25 cents to 50 cents each, accord- ing to quality and condition. Curing, is a very important matter, and the market value is largely governed by it. It is not at all uncommon for the American breeder to throw his raw skin upon a fence rail, a barbed wire fence, or in the crotch of a tree, if that should be the most convenient place, and then he wonders why it is that the Turkish skins bring so much more money in market than his do. The Turks are very careful to remove all flesh, and to salt the skin thoroughly, and then dry it in a shady place. If it is dried in the sun it will get sunburned, which is injurious. 148 ' A Nctv Industry. If salt is not to be had, they can be cured nicely by stretching them out on the floor of a room, and tacking them down by the edge of the skin, wlicre it should remain until perfectly dry. If it is not stretched out and tacked down, it will curl up into all kinds of shape, which explains the reason why many of the do- mestic skins sell so poorlv. Skins that are dried in the manner last mentioned are liable to be damaged by the hide bug,, and should be sent to market promptly if the weather is hot. They can be poisoned, however, by sprinkling the flesh side of the pelt with a solution of arsenic (I3/2 ounces of arsenic to 1 gallon of water), and can be kept for some time in this way. The dry-salt method is much the more convenient, as they can be salted in a store room and placed on top of each other mitil you decide to send them to market, when they should be laid out on the floor, the salt carefully removed, with a broom, and then thoroughly dried, when they are in condition to be bundled, or baled, for shipment. Fifty skins make a very convenient sized bale. It may not be generally known that the goat family is sup- plying nearly all of the so-called fur that is now being used by our fashionable people. If you will ask any (honest) furrier he will tell you that the great bulk of his carriage robes, over- coats, capes, etc., are made from the common goat skin, and this alone should be encouragement enough for farmers to become interested in the Angora, for there is no product that commands such good prices as furs. The bufifalo, which were once so common in the United vStates as to be hardly worth the skinning, are now not quoted at all, owing to the complete extermination of the animal. Bear, are likewise, very scarce, and sell at prices ranging from $10.00 to $50.00. There are very few seal, otter, and beaver; and, at the present rate of c nsumption, and the high prices that are being offered and paid for them, these will soon be exterminated as well. The "Hudson's Bay Company," and similar concerns, have been supplying a demand for furs for the past hundred years or Angora Goat Skins and liozv to Prepare for Market. 14^ more, which has come from all portions of the globe ; and, when we reflect upon the enormous number of wild animals that ex- isted on this continent in the early days, a fair idea can be formed of the unlimited extent that this trade possesses. The buffalo, for instance, roamed from the North to the South in droves that were, at times, so enormous that, when they were on the run. would make the very earth tremble. Up to within twenty years Ihese great droves of bufTalo were often seen in Texas, but they have all disappeared, and the animal is not to be seen now any- where, except in some city park or menagerie. Is there any wonder then, at the fabulous prices that are being offered and paid for furs? The great advance in price is indicative of how sorely the human family miss this great gift from nature. But they are all gone or will be very soon, and a substitute, in the form of manufactured fabrics, will have to be used to afford the warmth that these wild animal skins have done for so many centuries. The ox, and the cozv, are being largely employed in this respect; and, the cat, and rabbit, are also being brought into use, which were seldom ever used before, owing to the delicate nature of their skins. Individuals have resorted to propagating the black skunk, and have found it a very profitable business, and, if it were not for the great expense of feeding the animal a dog ranch would pay as large a profit as raising cattle. In the Angora goat, we have, perhaps, the most perfect sub- stitute for animal fur that can be found." The skin can be taken at various stages in the growth of the hair, and can be made to represent very many of the wild animal skins so perfectly that they can hardly be detected from the genuine. The monkey skin muff and boa, that are so commonly worn by young ladies, are nothing else but the straight-haired goat, dyed black ; and, much of the so-called "Astrachan," is the curly-haired Angora skin, taken when the hair is only about one month's growth. The hear is another skin that the goat can duplicate, and, when properly dyed, will defy the most expert furrier to detect. In addition to this there is a great demand for floor rugs. Angora lace trimmings, muffs, capes, boas, etc., for ladies' and children's wear, and the furriers who supply this trade, have 1^0 A Nezv Industry. never found any skin so suitable as that of the Angora goat, with its kistrous, curly hair. Such rugs are very ornate and at- tractive, and are the envy of all ladies who are tasty in furnishing their dwellings. As compared with a woven rug, they are, as a Cashmere shawl would be to one made from cotton, and the de- mand for them will always be sufficiently great to return a fair profit on the cost of producing the animal. CHAPTER XIV. CONCENTRATING UPON ONE MARKET. The members of nearly every branch of commercial, and in- dustrial pursuits, have within the past thirty years, come under some form of organization for their mutual interest and benefit. The merchants have their "exchanges," or "boards of trade;" the railroads their "combines," to maintain a higher rate of freight ; the manufacturers and miners, have "trusts," and the laboring men their "unions." All seem to recognize the fact that it is necessary to work together, upon some uniform plan, in order to receive the full benefits from their capital and labor, under the law of supply and demand. The farmer, and stock-raiser, alone, stand out; and, although many attempts have been made to imite them under some prac- tical organization, nothing has come out of it, as yet. The most important part of agriculture, perhaps, is that which relates to the commercial features of it. The late Secre- tary of Agriculture, Hon. J. M. Rusk, in one of his annual reports, very wisely said : "It requires as much skill to market a crop, as it does to produce it." A farmer who has not the proper knowledge of the trade he is dealing with, should select some competent merchant to rep- resent him in converting his products into cash ; he may be ever so skilful as a farmer, may be able to make "two blades of grass grow, where only one grew before ;" but, if he has not the com- mercial ability to cope with the experienced and shrewd buyer, he is compelled to trade with, he may find that he does not realize as much as his less skilful neighbor, who consigns his produce to some capable merchant. 15- A Nezv Indusiry. The selling of wool, for instance, seems to be simple enough, but there is more of a science in it than appears on the surface. The calling of the wool merchant is equally as difficult to master as that of any other profession. He must know the way in which wools are graded in different markets, and what they are worth, both in this country and abroad. Mr. Rusk says again : "In these days, there is no distance limitations to possible competi- tion, * * * There is no section in the civilized world which may not at some time, and in regard to some product, be found to be a competitor of the American farmer." U. S. Agtl. Report, 1891, p. 39. He must also be familiar with the supply of wool in stock, and in the hands of manufacturers, in order to know whether he should hold it longer, or sell what he has on hand at the price he is offered. The average wool grower of the United States, however, does not recognize these facts. He either undertakes to sell his own wool, or will entrust it to some popular friend who has, perhaps, made a failure as a wool grower, and has painted his sign "wool mcrcltaiif ;" or, he may select some country cross-road grocery keeper to represent him; some "jay-"' who has never seen the inside of a counting-room, and possibly has never been beyond the boundaries of his own State, whose business is usually advertised upon the panels of the country road gates, in such a conspicuous way as "Bring your wool, and mohair, to and get New York prices for it." These are the kind of ''merchants" that are frequently employed in the interior to sell wool to the expert wool dealer, from the large markets of the East, who has made a life-time study of his business, and is famil- iar with all of its details.* *It does not necessarily iollow that we have no competent wool mer- chants in the interior of' our States; but, I maintain, the great majority of those who are engaged in that business have never received the necessary training 1;o justify them in conducting it properly. And, fur- thermore, no matter how competent a merchant may be unless he has access to information relating to the statistics, as well as the grades of wool he cannot trade' intelligently. Concentrating iipon one Market. ijj In the absence of "standard grades," no one but an ex- perienced dealer can tell what the different market reports mean. Some grades of wool may be cjuoted in one market at a very low price, that are of a better quality than another grade, which is quoted at a much higher value in another market. A shrewd buyer will select just such market cjuotations as suits his purpose the best, when driving a trade with the inex- perienced merchant, and after he has made a trade, will leave him in blissful ignorance of the fact that he has parted with his wool at much below its real value. If wool-growers would unite upon a single market, and concentrate their wool in the hands of the merchants of that one market alone, they would profit very largely by the change, for they woiild eliminate the two hundred and sixty-five different market quotations, which are, perhaps, the most disturbuig element in this trade at the present time. The London wool market is a very fine illustration of this system, and indicates clearly the wisdom of the Australian, New Zealand, and Argen- tine, wool-growers in adopting it. Their wools are concentrated in London, and sold at reg'ular intervals, which has a tendency to increase competition, and re- sults, very naturally, in higher values. They use but one set of grade terms, which is, practically, the same as a standard. This system has been followed for years, and is admitted to be the most desirable one for a producer of an agricultural product to follow, and if the mohair growers of the United States will unite on New York City, as the mohair market for the United States, in place of shippmg to several markets, and still worse, selling here and there in the interior, there is no doubt but it will result greatly to the benefit of every producer of mohair in our country. CHAPTER XV. ANGORA VENISON AS A SALABLE PRODUCT. A few years back, the prejudice for goat meat was so strong, it was impossible to find sale for any considerable number of Angora goats at any of our large meat-packing centers, though it was not uncommon -for packers to slaughter a few when they were shipped in with a lot of sheep. Today there is no difficulty in selling them in any quantity, provided they are fat, and the sheep feeder stands ready to take as many as the packers reject; hence, it may be safely stated that the Angora is now recognized, on our markets, as a stand- ard class of meat. In 1895-6, a difference of $1.00 per hundred was made in favor of sheep, but this has been steadily narrowed down until there is little or no distinction made between well-graded An- goras and the finest sheep, and it is not unlikely that in- a few years more, a premium will be paid for the Angora. Indeed, I am morally certain of this, for the simple reason that a butcher can realize more profit from the Angora than he can from the the sheep. The pelt of a highly improved Angora will net the butcher fully twice as much as the pelt of a sheep ; and it is quite common for a two-year-old Angora to "break at the joint" (the usual test applied to lamb), which makes it more salable. But, apart from this, the meat is superior to that of the sheep, and will naturally take precedence in market, on its merit alone, and will soon be sold under its proper name : "Angora Venison,^' instead of being palmed ofif for "Choice Lamb." Very few people have ever tasted a young Angora wether that do not want more, and it is not at all surprising that the preju- dice against them is being so rapidly removed. Angora Venison as a Salable Product. 755 In 1856, the late Dr. John Bach man, an eminent naturaUst of Charleston, S. C, was selected by the "Southern Central Agricultural Association of Georgia," to make a report on the goats imported by Dr. Davis in 1849, then in possession of Col. Richard Peters. This report was published by the United States Agricultural Department in 1857, from which I extract the following: "We have never indulged in the extravagant luxury of feasting on' a full-blooded animal of this variety but we have, on several occasions, made a hearty meal on the quarter, half, or three-quarter bloods, and all who dined in company, pronounced the meat of the half-breed wethers superior to lamb; and an eighteen-months' old, superior to mutton. The flavor approaches nearer to venison, than to mutton. They remain fat nearly throughout the year, and in November, are almost too fat for the table. We observed a great improvement in the progeny of the full-bloods over their imported parents, both in fatness, and in size." (S;e Agtl. Dept. Report 1857, psjc ("2 j Mr. A. L. Johns, a prominent salesman of sheep, on the Kansas City Stock Yards for many years, but who has recently moved to Chicago, has, very kindly, written me the following letter upon this subject : "Chicago. 111., Dec. 1st, 1899. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Fort McKavett, Texas: "Dear Sir — In reply to your inquiry as to the present status of the Angora goat upon the Kansas City and Chicago markets, I beg to say that the conditions, as they exist now, compared with ten years ago. are very gratifying indeed. At that time, the Angora goat was hardly, known in the North, and was seldom seen upon our markets; they were supposed to be only good for barn yards, and if a butcher had dared to offer for sale even a leg of goat meat, his market would have been' blacklisted, and his patrons would have looked elsewhere for their mutton chops. Today, thousands of the little white animals are to be found in nearly every State in the Union, and are as much a source of revenue to their owners as the better grade, of their kin-folk, the sheep family. "Recentlj', in conversation with Mr. Tyson, of Blair, Neb., who, during the past three years, has fed and marketed four thousand of the grade Angoras, he stated that his profits had been fully as great, taking into consideration the money invested, as he ever made in feeding sheep. Continuing, he stated that they are not at all susceptible to disease, such as foot rot, scab, etc., with which breeders and feeders of sheep, have^ to contend; and that, as scavengers, they are invaluable, and in his opin- I5<^ A Nczv Industry. ion, every farmer having rougli and brushy pastures should have a small flock to keep it cleaned up; and that they would be repaid ten times over the cost of their flock. "In conclusion, I will say I firmly believe the time has come when breeders and feeders of the grade Angora goat, will be counted among our successful and prosperous stockmen; producing a wholesome, nutri- tious meat that will meet with ready demand upon any of our large markets; and, in place of salesman begging buyers to bid on them, as in years gone by, there will be active competition from all the packers, and sales can be readily made within thirty to forty cents per one hun- dred pounds of the best mutton. "Yours very truly, A. L. JOHNS, "Sheep Salesman, Union Stock Yards, Chicago " And the "Chicago Live Stock Commission Company," of Chicago, Kansas City, and St. Louis,- add their testimony to the growing popularity of this animal on our meat markets, in the following very courteous reply to an incjuiry I recently sent to them : "Chicago, 111.', March 10th, 1900. -■'Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas: "Dear Sir — Your favor, in answer to mine of recent date, at hand and ■contents carefully noted. The information contained therein is very •acceptable, for which I sincerely thank you. I have taken a great interest in the goat industry for the past six or seven years, and as you are undoubtedly aware, we have handled more of them than any other com- mission firm in the United States. We have had them of all kinds and sizes, and all breeds, but the Angora stands at the head of the list, and is gaining in favor yearly on this market. Recently a double-deck of 100-pound, two, and three-year-old, wether goats, sold here at 4.75 per cwt. This was when the top of the market for our best sheep was about 5 cents per pound. Seven or eight years ago this same load of goats would not have sold within $1.00 per cwt. of sheep in the same condition. The load referred to, understand, were well finished and although we have had none here recently, several hundred could be sold every week at prices which would be very satisfactory to the owner. We have had numerous inciuiries from farmers, throughout the country tributary to this market, asking where they could get stock goats, the most of them being wanted for the cleaning up of brush land, but so far as we have been able to judge the demand for them has far exceeded the supply during the past year or two. I am of the firm opinion that the meat of the well Ano-ora Venison as a Salable Product. ^57 finished Angora goat ranks well up to that of our best mutton, and I predict that, ten years from today, this industry will be carried on in the United States much more extensively than at present. "With kindest regards, I remain, "Yours to command, E. R. JOHNS, Sheep Salesman for 'Chicago Live Stock Com. Co." It is not possible to arrive at a correct estimate of the num- ber of Angora goats sold, for the reason they are classified with sheep, and are included in the receipts of that class of stock in all of the leading stock yards. It is very common to see them in lots of one thousand, and over, and it is to be hoped that our stock yards will soon adopt a different system, and keep a record of each class. It is surprising to note the wonderful growth in the demand that has been created for mutton in the past quarter of a cen- tury in our country. In referring to this, in 1889, the late Hon. J. M. Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture, in his report for that year, says : "The rapid increase in consumption of mutton is indicated by an enlargement of the receipts of sheep at Chicago and St. Louis ifrom 544,627 in 1875 to 1,971,683 in 1888. The increase in New York, during the same period amounts to 750,000." (See Agtl. Dept. Report 1889, p. 43.) The following table will show the total receipts of both cat- tle and sheep at Chicago during the past thirty-three years : Year Cattt.e Sheep Year Cattle Sheep 1865 -7s 613 1,433 1875 . . . 920,843 418,948 1866. .. 393,008 207,987 1876.. . . 1,096.745 364.095 1867. .. 329,188 180,888 1877... . 1,033.151 310,240 1868... 324,524 270,891 1878.. . . 1,083.068 310,420 1869... 403,102 340,072 1879... . 1,215,732 325.119 1870... 532,964 349,853 1880.. . . 1,382,477 335,810 1871. .. 543,050 315.053 1881.. . . 1,498,550 493,624 1872. .. 684,075 310.211 1882.. . . 1,582.530 628,887 1873. .. 761,428 291.734 1883... . 1,878,944 749,917 1871... 843,966 3; 3 ^55 ^3S A Nciv Industry. Year Cattle tSHHEP Yeah Cattle Sheep 1884 . . . 1,817,697 801,630 1892 . . . 3,571,796 2,145,079 1885 . . . 1,905,518 1,003,598 1893 . . . 3,133,406 3,031,174 1886 . . . 1,963,900 1,008,790 1894 . . . 2,974,363 3,099,725 1887 . . . 2,382,008 1,360,862 1895 . . . 3,588,558 3,406,739 1888 . . . 2,611,543 1,515,014 1896 . ... 2,600,476 3,590,655 1889 . . . 3,023,381 1,832,469 1897 .. . 2,554,924 3,606,640 1890 . . . 3,484,280 3,250,359 3,182,667 2,153,537 1898 . . . Total 2,480,897 1 3,589,439 1891 . . . .|56,850,960|40,866,855 It will be observed from the above table that, while the receipts of cattle, at Chicago, increased from 393,007 in 1866, to 3,480,897 in 1898, or a little more than six times ; those of sheep incuased from 207,987 in 1866, to 3,589,439 in 1898, or over sev- enteen times. ANGORA VENIvSON. It took a long- time to bring the sheep into the prominent position it now occnpies upon our markets, though the English recognized the superior qualities of the meat at a very early day. The prejudice against the coarse, common goat has had a tendency to restrict the use of Angora venison, owing to the fact that the animals have usually been classed together as goats, but they are not at all alike, which is clearly shown in the sale of their skin for tanning into leather. The skin of the common goat is coarse grained and thick, while that of the Angora is very thin, and fine grained, and is not at all suitable for leather. The difference in the quality of the meat is still greater. Angora venison being as much superior to the common goat as the Belgian hare is superior to our wild native jack rabbit. CHAPTER XVI. IS THERE ANY DANGER FROM OVER PRODUCTION? The one element, in agriculture, to be dreaded above all others is "over-production." The losses sustained by farmers from all our severe drouths and overflows, are as nothing compared with those from this single cause. In the past thirty years, the value of cotton has been dragged down from fifteen cents per pound in 1870, to about six cents (and it was down to four and one-half in 1898) in 1899, a depreciation of $45.00 per bale, or nearly twice as much as the entire bale of cotton is now sold for ; and the shrinkage in the value of wheat has been no less severe. The cause of over-production is due to a scramble among farmers to raise the most salable products. When cotton meets with favorable demand, every farmer is anxious to grow as much as he possibly can the following season, and the result is a glutted market and decline in price. Remedy, after remedy, has been suggested, to regulate mat- ters, but as yet nothing of a practical nature has been found. If it were possible to control acreage, there would be no trouble in solving the problem, for the farmer would then have an organ- ization in the nature of a "trust," which would enable him to supply the demand, with as much, or as little as was wanted. But this is not practical, and, it is doubtful, if there will ever be any remedy for this terrible evil to agriculture until the non- producing class of our population is so largely increased as to create a greater demand for farm products than the acreage will justify. That this time will be reached sooner or later, there is no doubt, but it is too far removed from the present sufferers to admit of serious consideration. i6o A Nezv Industry. Diversification of products is, perhaps, the most practical system for a farmer to operate on, and in this new branch of ag-ricuhure, which it is my privilege to call attention to, I think we have a product that is as free from the danger of over-pro- duction as any that I know of. The annual yield of mohair in the United States, at the pres- ent time, amounts to about 800,000 pounds ; and the demand from our manufacturing industry 2,000,000 pounds, which will admit of an increase in our supply of 1,200,000 pounds, requiring an increase of 400,000 head of goats having a shearing capacity of three pounds each. It will take but a few years to cover this gap, and in all probability the supply of mohair will sooner or later exceed the demand, and the market price be forced down under the inexorable law of supply and demand, the same as in our cotton and wheat products. But, we have a safe-guard in this new industry, which does not exist in any other branch of farming. There are three outlets for the pro- duct, either of which can be supplied that offers the greatest inducement. One is through the manufacturer, for mohair. One is through the butcher, for meat. One is through the furrier, for pelt. As long, as it will pay to produce mohair it can be done ; but, if the price should decline to an unprofitable point, the animal can be fattened for market, and sold to the butcher, and the pelt to the furrier, which will correct the evil of over-produc- tion, and restore a fair market value for mohair. The demand for the product, from either branch I have mentioned, is quite large enough to support a great number of goats. /// mohair, we have the world before us, and a constantly increasing application for the product. //; meat, we have an unlimited demand, at a price that will always aft'ord a satisfactory profit in raising the animal, more especially when the skin, or pelt, is taken into consideration. The pelt supplies a demand from the furrier, which I have made the subject for a separate chapter (No. XIII). CHAPTER XVII. TARIFF ON MOHAIK, LIVE GOATS, AND ANGORA SKINS. The mohair-growing industry has never received the atten- tion from members of Congress that its importance to the country would seem to justify. It was first placed upon the tariff, by the act of August 30, 18-13, when a duty of one cent per pound was placed upon "Thibet, Angora, and all other goats' hair, or mohair, unmanu- factured." See S. L., Vol. 5., Chap. CCLXX. The act of July 30, ISrtG, changed the duty to twenty per cent, ad valorem. See S. L., Vol. 9., Chap. LXXIV. The act of March 2, 1861, levied a duty of nine cents per pound on "Hair of the Alpaca, goat, and other like animals,"" if it exceeded 24 cents per pound in value at the place from which it was exported. See S. L., Vol. 12, Chap. LXVIIi. By the act of June 30th, 1864, the tariff was changed to read as follows : " * * * on all hair of the Alpaca, Goat, and other Like Animals, * * * exceeding thirty-two cents per pound, twelve cents per pound, and in addition thereto ten per cent, ad valorem, making the duty equivalent to a trifle over fifteen cents per pound. See S. L. Vol. 13, Chap. CLXXI, Sec. 4. The act of March 2nd, 1867, divided "all Wools, Hair of the Alpaca, Goat, and other Like Animals," into three classes, for the purpose of fixing the duty to be charged, to-wit : Class 1. Clothing wool. Class 2. Combing wools. Class 3. Carpet wools, and other similar wools. The hair of the alpaca, and goat, were placed in class 2, and the duty was made, ten cents per pound, and eleven per cent, ad- 1(52 A Neiv Industry. valorem, when of the vahie of thirty-two cents per pound o"r less ; and above thirty-two cents per pound, the duty was to be twelve cents per pound, with ten per cent, ad valorem added," which was, practically, the same as the duty in the former tariff. See S. L., Vol. 14, Chap. CXCVII, Sec. 1. By the act of March 3rd, 1883, the tariff was again altered, so as to reduce the duty on goat hair to "ten cents per pound when of the value of thirty cents per pound, and twelve ce.x.s per pound when the value should exceed thirty cents per pound." There was no ad valorem duty connected, as in the act of 18G7 which practically reduced the tarifif on mohair about three cents per pound. But, the most significent change in this tariff, was that of arranging the duty according to the conditions in which wool, alpaca, and goat's hair, was imported. If it was imported in its "natural condition," the above duties of ten, and twelve cents, respectively, were to be paid; but, if imported in a "washed" condition, the duty was to be double, or twenty and twenty- four cents per pound ; and, if "scoured," it was to be three times as great as if it were to be imported in its "natural condition," which would be equivalent to "thirty cents per pound on wool of a value of thirty cents per pound, and thirty-six cents per pound when the value exceeded thirty cents per pound." See S. L., Vol. 32, Chap. CXXI, Schedule K. The act of October 1st, 1890, levied a specific duty of "twelve cents per pound on goat's hair-, alpaca, and camel's hair," making the same provisions as in the act of 1883, for wools and hair, that are imported in a different form than the original condition. See S. L., Vol. 26, Chap. 1244, Schedule K. The tariff act of August 27th, 1894, under Mr. Grover Cleve- land's administration, placed wool, and goat's hair, upon the free list, and the succeeding administration of Mr. Wm. Mc- Kinley restored it to the tariff, together with wool, and other animal fibres, imposing a duty of twelve cents per pound, with the same terms respecting conditions, etc., as in the act of 1883 and 1890, which is in force at the present time. The general purpose of the tariff, of course, is to obtain a necessary revenue to support the government upon, and from Tariff on Mohair, Live Goafs, and Angora Skins. i6^ a review of the foregoing extracts from our several tariff laws it is quite evident that mohair has never attracted the attention of Congress in any other sense than as a revenue-producing article. The fact that it has always been classified with the "hair of the camel, alpaca, and other like animals," neither of which have ever been introduced into this country, with a view of propagating the animal, for their hair, is prima facie evidence of this. But, there is another purpose in the tariff, as I under- stand it, which is, to foster, and encourage, such industries as our country is capable of carrying on successfully, and I think the experience of the past thirty-eight years in the United States, has clearly demonstrated the wisdom of such a policy. If the United States is capable of producmg an article it is certainly great folly to purchase it abroad ; and, if we are capable of pro- ducing mohair, there is certainly no sense in buying it from Turkey, or South Africa. The American farmer is entitled to the revenue from this branch of agriculture, and it is an injury to the country at large if we do not produce it upon our own soil. The question to be considered then, is : "What amount of duty should be placed on mohair ?" As a rule, the tariff upon all products is governed by the cost of producing it in other countries, and is adjusted so as to place the United States producer upon an equal footing with the most favored nation on the globe. For instance, wool can be produced, and sold, profitably, in some countries for five cents per pound, whereas, the American farmer cannot produce and sell it for less than seventeen cents per pound; hence, unless a duty of twelve cents is levied upon foreign wool, it is evident the American farmer v,all not be able to compete in producing it, and will gradually drop out of the business. As to the cost of raising mohair, I have no doubt the pres- ent tariff of twelve cents is quite enough to equalize this country with both Turkey and South Africa (the only competing points that we have), but it should be borne in mind that we have but a small number of mohair-producing goats, and if we expect to develop the industry rapidly, we will be compelled to grade up 164 A Nczv Industry. the common goat, which will require several years of patient labor, with little or no revenue, before we can produce much mohair; and, to encourage farmers to undertake this tiresome task, some additional duty should be levied that will satisfy them they will be compensated for the delay in grading up the animal to a revenue producing basis. There is, perhaps, no product on our tariff that can so easily support a high duty as mohair, for it is consumed alto- gether by the rich, and largely by wealthy railroad corporations for plush coverings to railroad coaches, who can well afford to pay a liberal subsidy to the hard working farmers of our country. Another view to take of this matter is the spinning capacity of mohair, as compared with other fibres, which are on the tariff. Wool pays a duty of eleven cents, in its "natural condi- tion," and when "washed," it pays twenty-two cents ; and, when "scoured," thirty-three cents per pound. One pound of mohair in its "natural condition" will go nearly as far as one pound of "scoured" wool, owing to the fact of there being no grease in mohair. If "scoured" wool pays a duty of thirty-three cents per pound, it would seem to be only fair to make the tariff twenty-five cents on mohair, which would be only a trifle over what is now paid on "washed" wool ; and, I feel certain that a manufacturer will spin as much working yarn from a pound of mohair, in its "natural condition," as he will from a pound of "washed" wool. The present duty on silk (raw) is forty cents per pound. Mohair is largely used to mix with this fibre, and it is often very hard to detect the adulturation.* Indeed, it is so very closely related to silk, in general appearance, that a tariff of twelve cents on one, and forty cents on tlie other, would seem to be entirely out of proportion. Still another reason why the government should aid in developing this industry is, because the Turkish government, *Dr. Hayes says: "Mohair yarn is employed largely in Paris, Nis- mes, Lyons, and Germany, for the manufacture of laces, which are sub- stituted for the silk lace fabrics of Valenciennes, and Chantilly." (See Hayes, p. 39.) Tariff on Mohair, Live Goats, and Angora Skins. i6§ at the present time, prohibits the exportation of any of their mohair goats, and the breeders in Cape Colony, South Africa, have recently had an act passed by their Colonial Parliament placing an export duty of $500.00 upon those that they have in their country. This will practically force the American breed- ers to rely upon the limited number of Angora goats that we now have in the United States, which, however, will be quite suf- ficient to build up a very large industry, provided the business can be made profitable to the present owners of stud flocks, which can only be accomplished, however, by encouraging others to improve the common (Mexican) goat, a course that was taken by South African breeders in the early days of their industry, with the Boer goat of that country. In addition to the great benefits that will result to our country from mohair, as a textile product, it will add to our supply of meat producing animals, which will have a tendency to keep the price of this product within reach of many of our poorer classes, who are being taxed severely now, owing to the scarcity of beef. It is to be hoped that Congress will take a liberal view of this subject, and give such encouragement to the producers of mohair as the industry is worthy of. TARIFF ON LIVE GOATS. In connection with this subject, it would probably be well for Congress to remove the present import duty on the common Mexican doe goat, when imported for the purpose of crossing with the Angora. Our present supply of Mexican goats is limited, and the value of them will naturally be greatly enhanced under active competition from farmers, who will, doubtless, be attracted to this new industry, which will result in benefit to very few, while the removal of the duty, altogether, will benefit a great many, and will greatly facilitate the development of our mohair-growing industry. '"'All other live animals not specially provided for in this act, twenty per cent, advalorem." i66 A Nnv Industry. The present tariff prevents the importation of these animals except upon the payment of a duty of twenty per cent, adva- lorem, under the following clause in Schedule G : It is true this is not a high duty to pay, yet it will encourage the importation of many of the Mexican does if it is removed altogether, and will lay the foundation for a much more profit- able and useful animal. It can in no way conflict with the inter- est of any of the producers of goats in the United States ; but, on the contrary, will create a demand for thoroughbred, or full-blooded Angora sires which will be required for grading up these common goats, and this will result in much benefit to a large number of the present breeders of the Angora goat who are now members of the industry. TARtFF ON GOAT SKINS. The present tariff on Angora goat skins is as follows : "The duty on wools on the skin shall be one cent less per pound tlian is imposed in this schedule on other wools of the same class, and condition, the quantity, and value, to be ascertained under such rules as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe." (See Schedule K, Clause No. 360, Tarifif law 1897.) The above action was, doubtless, intended to protect the raisers of Angora goats from the importation of mohair, on the skin, by manufacturers, which was very proper. But, there is another trade into which the skin of this animal enters very largely, which is of vastly more importance than that of the manufacttire of mohair. I refer to the making of carriage robes, buggy robes, floor rugs, overcoats for men, etc. This trade does not give employment to very many of our people at present, which I shall endeavor to explain later on, but it can be made to do so, for the magnitude of the business is simply immense, and may be surmised when I say there is hardly a house furnishing, or saddlery store, in the United States, that does not handle more or less of these goods. The Angora skin is, perhaps, more suitable for making this class of stock than any other kind, but the supply of them is Tariff on Mohair, Live Goats, and Angora Skins. i6j not large enough to meet the demand, and they are more expen- sive than some other varieties of long-haired goats raised in China, India, Persia, and other portions of Asia, consequently these are used as a substitute. These have a coarse, outer-hair, with an under-down, or fur, which is fully described in the paper I have added concerning the Cashmere goat (see Ap- pendix), and cannot, therefore, be classed as mohair skins, which admits of their being brought into this country at a very low rate of duty.. Indeed, they are permitted to come in free, if they are im- ported in a raw state, which is provided for in the tariff, as follows : "* * * Skins, of all kinds, raw (except sheep skins with the wool on) free. * * *" (See Free Ust Clause No. 664, Tariff Law, 1897.) But the labor of dressing them in the United States is so much more expensive than in Asia that they are always im- ported in a finished condition, ready to be made into robes, rugs, and garments, as soon as they are received. The tariff does not seem to have provided specifically for "goat skins, dressed, with the hair on." but, under the schedule referring to "leather, and manufactures of it," says : "* * •;: dressed kangaroo, sheep and goat skins * * * "20 per cent, ad valorem. * * *" (See Schedule N, Clause No. 438, Tariff Law of 1897.) Which appears to be the only clause that these dressed Asiatic goat skins can be classed under. When we consider the low^ price at which such skins are sold (for they are not desirable for making into leather), and the very low scale of labor that is paid in China for dressing them, the duty of twenty per cent, ad valorem will not exceed more than five cents per skin, which practically amounts to nothing to the American importer. If, for no other reason than to protect American laboi, the tariff on these goat skins should be revised. But, I m.aintain that, the American producers of Angora goats are made to suffer serious loss by permitting this inferior i68 A Nczv Industry. class of stock to be sold in competition with their own product, which is often represented as being one and the same, and very many people do not know any thing to the contrary. I was attracted not long ago by the advertisement of a large department store in Chicago, who claimed to have "real Angora goat skin rugs" for sale, and being interested in the business I called upon them and was shown a "white Chinese goat rug," for which they asked $-±.00. I remarked to the clerk that I wanted an Angora goat rug, when he frankly said they did not have any, and added : "A real Angora rug, like this one, would cost you $8.00." The following is the style used in advertising these "Chinese goat" rugs : "China goat rug's, made in designs iis shown in cuts A and B. The combination of colors are black and white; black and gray; white and gray; or red fox and white. These rugs are lined and odorless, and handsome enough for any room. We also have the same rug plain, or solid colors, white, black or gray." (See Montgomery & Ward's cata- logue, Chicago, III.) It seems to me, it is an outrage upon American labor and enterprise to permit this tariff to remain as it is. The American furrier is entitled to the labor of dressing these skins, and the American grower of Angora goats is entitled to the sale of the raw skin. They are both entitled to protection from such unfair competition ; and, while it is c^uite true the grower's are not able, at the present time, to supply the demand that exists for such a product, they very soon can be ; but, as long as the tariff will admit of the Chinese product being imported at such a ridicuously low duty, as above stated, the American product will naturally be depreciated in value. But, another view to take of this matter is, who are the beneficiaries under existing conditions ? The entire trade, I understand, is monopolized by a single concern, or syndicate, in New York City, who guard it with such a jealous care as to keep out all competition. If any one dares to engage in it (which has been done on several occasions) they immediately reduce their price list to a point that will force the daring adventurer to sell his importation at a loss, and Tariff on Mohair, Live Goats, and Angora Skins. i6p the result is that, this single concern have managed to enjoy ah the benefits from a trade that should be national in character. The present duty of tzvcnty per cent, advaloreni, as I have endeavored to explain, amounts, practically, to nothing. It should be made specific, and placed at such a point as will equalize the cost of dressing a goat skin in the United States, with the cost of dressing one in China; and, while the raw skin of the Chinese, or Asiatic, goat is not the equal of the Angora, they belong to the same species, and should be classed as the same, when they are used for the same purpose, viz : that of making robes, rugs and garments. It would seem, therefore, if the tariff was so revised as to compel these importers to pay aduty, equal with the present duty paid by the manufacturer, who may import the skin for the purpose of cutting off the mohair to use in manufacturing, it would be more just, and reasonable, to all concerned. On this hypothesis, the duty would be, assuming the skin will shea: four pounds of mohair : Duty of 12 cents per pound, on four pounds mohair. . . .$ .48 Difference in labor, of dressing a goat skin in this country, with that paid in China, say 52 Or, a total, on each skin of $1.00 This would afford a fair degree of protection, both to the American laborer, and producer, and would not injure the con- sumer, inasmuch as the importers of these Chinese, or Asiatic, goat skins, demand a price equivalent to American labor for dressing, and producing the skin in the United States, as soon they pass through our custom house. PLATE XXXIX. PORTABLE CAMPING OUTFIT. Made of plank; a substitute for the tent, when flocks are moved to different ranges. Practical Parts of the Industry. CHAPTER XVIII. THE SCIENCE OF BREEDING, OUR PAST EXPERIENCE, AND THE RESULT OF CROSSING THE COMMON GOAT WITH THE ANGORA. The science of breeding any of cur domestic animals is, simply, knozviiig how to mate them, in order to obtain such a type as the breeder is wanting- to produce, and this knowledge can only be acquired through a series of experiments coupled with the very closest observation. During the past hunderd years, certain well defined prin- ciples in mating have been established that have assisted the breeders of the horse, cow, and sheep, in bringing these animals up to a very high degree of perfection. The principle of "like begets like," for instance, teaches a breeder that, by the selec- tion of animals of any particular size, form or color, it is pos- sible, in the course of time, to create a distinct type, or breed, very diiiferent from the original. Upon one occasion, in refer- ring to the wonderful change that had been made in the sheep of Great Britian. Lord Sommerville is said to have remarked that: "The modern sheep breeder appears to have drawn a perfect form, and then to have given it life." The same might be said, in speaking of the horse, the cow and the hog, for there has been a great variety of breeds in all these animals, practically created by man in the past century, and in fowls and vegetables, the changes have been no less surprising. There is, perhaps, no animal so susceptible of being im- proved as otir common short-haired goat ; but, this principle, or law of, "like begets like," does not seem to operate the same 174 ■ A Nezv Industry with it, as with other wool, or hair producing animals. Fo; example : the mating of a long, coarse-wooled ram -.-. ith a shorty fine-wooled ewe sheep, will result in producing a medium wool, both as to length and fineness of fibre ; while the mating of a long, coarse-wooled buck, with a short-haired common doe, goat will produce a kid having a thin covering oi short, but pure, iiioliair, together with more or less of the coarse, short hair of the mother. In other words, the two kinds of hair will not mix with each other, as is the case with the sheep. And, very strange to say, it does not appear to make any difference Iiow coarse, or how long, the hair of the mohair goat may be, the cross will always have the same thin covering of pure mohair, of a short, uniform length, and much finer in fibre, than that of the sire. The only explanation I can advance for this strange con- dition of things, is that, the tlesh and blood (the soil, and fertil- izing elements, of the fleece) of the mohair goat are of an entirely different character from that in the common goat ; and, the production of this thin covering of pure mohair is an indi- cation that only a certain amount of the mohair-producing ])lood has been implanted by the one cross ; for, it seems to be increased by a second cross, and the fourth, and fifth, crosses, will make the two animals of the same nature, at least as far as outward appearance shows. The experiment has never been made, that I know of, but I am well convinced that if a mohair goat, producing a coarse hair, should be mated with a mohair goat of equal purity, pro- ducing a fine hair, the issue will have hair the medium of the two ; and, the length of hair, I am sure, can be gradually increased in the same way, by crossing a long-haired buck with a short- haired doc, the same as with sheep. But, as liefore stated, the only way we can ever hope to arrive at anything like scientific knowledge in breeding the Angora goat, is by experiment and observation. If breeders will exercise the same degree of interest, and intelligence, as their predecessors in the sheep industry have done in improv- ing that animal, there is no doubt we can make some wonderful 5 QJ (D — DD o b ^--o -go)© en 0) x; — i (u <1) +J- D. II 1 1- < his da rk-colc g to n stock aracte II 1 t^ «J C -C T -0 -^ -^ h- § ® SS_g LL oosses " and is int our pr ade in LU c S - -2 £ ^ UJ n ?Eo?S '■*" W " i= M C/J ■ £ ra CO kj <30 ai Ox: 4i r t (VI 0) c a CI ^ ■•-' c (rt c ci at fc 0) 13 S3 u M ^ <1> coj= =j) (fl (D c (fl 01 _u 0) D) Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. I'jj changes in the Angora goat in a comparatively short time ; and, perhaps, if we were to investigate closely into the experience of those who have handled the animal during the past fifty years, we may be able to obtain a great deal of valuable informa- tion from their work. In 1853, Dr. J. B. Davis reported his first experiment with those he imported from Asia in 1849. He says : "On my arrival, I immediately procured a number of our little dimin- utive native female goats, and crossed them upon a Cashmere buck. Their progeny had very fine hair, but little longer than that of the does. I again crossed the female of this progeny upon the other Cashmere buck, and it is difficult to distinguish these from the pure-breed, and the sub- sequent cross cannot be detected. In the spring I contemplate effecting still another cross." (See Agtl. Dept. Report for 1853, p. 20.) And, in a letter to Dr. J. L. Hayes, Col. Richard Peters says : "One of the most^ valuable, interesting and remarkable traits of the Angora is che rapidity with which fleece-bearing goats can be obtained by using thoroughbred bucks to cross on the common short-haired ewe goats of the country. The second cross produces a goat with a skin val- ued for rugs, mats and gloves. The fifth cross (known by many breeders as "full blood") will yield a fleece not inferior to much of the mohair imported from Asia Minor. The fifth cross can be readily obtained in five or six years. Thoroughbred bucks should always be used, because the progeny of the so-called "full-blood" bucks varies greatly, and the upward progress is by no means satisfactory." (See Hayes, p. 51.) All the early breeders in Texas, California, and Oregon, have met with the same uniform success except where the sire used was a graded animal, called "full hlood,'' as Col. Peters remarks. As may well be supposed the breeding of the Angora to the short-haired goat, has produced a very different class of animal from the original ; and, as the same custom has prevailed in Turkey and South Africa, it is very doubtful if there are any of the original type in existence, at the present time, in the world. Mr. H. O. Binns, a resident of Turkey, addressed a very interesting letter to Mr. Schreiner on this subject, relating to the crossing in that countrv, in which he savs : iy8 A Nczv Imhistry. "I cannot say when crossing began to be general. When I went to the Angora distrcts in LSGt, it was in uill swing, and must have been commonl}' practiced for some years, as ihcre were even then many more cross-bred goats than pure-bred. The fact that these cross-bred goats were in large numbers and yielded excellent hair shows that crossing had been generally resorted to a good many years back. Even at that timC; the original pure Angor? was becoming very rare. Today, he is probably extinct, or almost so. The districts outside the mohair-producing region were thronged with the "Kurd" goat. Angoras were introduced amongst the various flocks of these goats, which in due course were all graded up, and yielded white mohc'.ir. From inquu-ies made, I concluded that the Angoras were first generally crossed with the common goat when a large European demand for mohair sprang up, after unmanufactured mohair was allowed to be exported, and lustre goods became fashionable. The result is seen in the Angora of today, which is a product of the cross. The greatest endeavors to increase the numbers of Angoras and to pro- duce them in other parts of the country, l,«y means of grading up the com- mon goats, were made from about li^liS to ISTli, when, not only the other di.strictj, where the Angora had never been before, were induced to buy rams to cross with the common ewes, but so eager were the farmers, in Angora itself, to incresase the number of their mohair goats, that com- mon ewes were actually imported into that, and neighboring disricts, and graded up there by means of pure rams. No wonder goats became mixed, and the pure goat eliminated, replaced by his heavier-fleeced, more prolific, more remunerative cross. These endeavors v/ere due to the great demar.a ior mohair during these years, for the price jier pound was never lower than 2s. 9d. (G8 cents) except for a short time in 18(j8, when it touched 2s. 3d. (56 cents) and was generally, at from 3s. 3d. (81 cents) to 3s. 9d. (93 cents). Thus there was a large increase, not only in the numbers of white mohair goats, but also in the area over which they were distributed. The common goat was then first graded tip in such districts as Eskischehr, in Broussa, Soungourlou, in Yozgat, Devriken, and Tosia, in Kastamouni, and sundry other districts. So general has been the crossing that not only is the original pure Angora extinct, or almost so, in Asia Minor, today, but even in Beibazar, one of the very purest districts, hardly a ilock is to be found which does not contain one or more gray, black or white common ewes, and their various crosses.. Such common goats and the various grades between them and the modern Angora, are much more common in less central, less pure districts. Throughout the whole of the mohair districts, any ewe (or ram) which has originally come from a cross (and almost all have now) is liable to have colored, kemped kids, red, blue, black, or other colors; and in almost every flock in Beibazar, as well as in other districts, colored kids, the progeny of white sires and dams are to be found." (See Schreiner, pp. 83, 84 and 85.) Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora, //p The ''Kurd'* goat is described as a coarse, straight-haired animal, usually black, brown, red, or blue, in color, and much larger and heavier-boned than the Angora. Crossing in South Africa was carried on \ery much in the same way \dth the common goat of that country (the ■'■Boer'''j, which is represented by Mr. Schreiner as follows : "The "Boer goat of todaj- strikes one as an animal peculiarly South African, as it browses on the arid kopjes of the Great Karoo. It is a large animal with powerful legs, a grand carriage, a bold, free step, and wild, prominent eyes. The coat is short, smooth and coarse, of almost any color or combination of colors, frequently b ing dappled. It is extremely hardy, fattens readily, and carries a large amount of flesh, which, however, is pungent and strong, and unpalatable to a refined taste. Btit, in up- country districts, in desert-like parts of the ICaroo, they are the most valuable, for there thej' are often the onh' kind of stock fit for slaughter, as they keep fat when other stock are thin or die. In the early days the 'Boer goat and the Afrikander sheep were the only small stock posses- sed by the colonists, and this goat was justly held in high estimation b5' the old pioneers, for it increases with great rapiditj' (triplets at a birth be- ing by no means ir frequent) and its skin makes ver)- superior leath- er, as is evidenced by the constant demand in the tanneries of the Colony today." See Schreiner, page 172. And Mr. Schreiner adds: "Such are the "Boer goats which have supplied the mothers of nearly all the Cape Angoras. The seri'ice thej' have rendered to the Angora industr>- of South Africa, is almost incalculable. But for the fact that there were several millions of 'Boer goats, thoroughly accustomed to the country, to famish innumerable ewes for grading-up purpos s, the industr>- would still have been in its Inizacv. As it is, instead of increas- ing OUT Angoras solely by breeding from a few imported animals, we have been able, w'ithin a few- years, to grade up some millions from the good otd *Boer goat mother stock, whose progeny, already oatmimber- ing the mohair goats of Turkey, and nearly as well, bred, now yield more hair than Turke3> oi a qualitj-, on the whole, nearly eqtial to Turkisii, and in many instances quite equal to the verj- best that Turkey can pro- duce." See Schreiner, pages 174 and 175, Hence, it would seem that the Angora goats of the present me. in the onl}' three countries where they are being propa- gated to any extent, consist of a cross-bred animal, as follows : In Turkey, with the black, red, or blue, "Kurd" goat. i8o A Nnv Industry. In South Africa, with the short-haired, mixed-colored ■'Boer" goat. In the United States, with the short-haired, mixed in color, "Alexican" goat. It is quite true that, the progeny, from all the above crosses, presents the same general characteristic as far as relates to the producing of mohair ; but, to a close observer, it is evident there is great difference in the length, and fineness, of the fibre, some of it growing twelve to fifteen inches, while others only reach the length of six to eight inches ; some of it is very coarse in fibre, and others very fine ; some have wavy hair, while in others it hangs in beautiful ringlets. The same relative difference exists in our sheep family with reference to wool, and it would be very surprising if such was not the case with mohair, for, with the indiscriminate cross- ing that has been going on for the past forty or fifty years, it would be a most remarkable phenomenon if the Angora goat had retained its original purity. As far as I have been able to learn, there has never been any endeavor to improve the animal beyond that of raising the greatest possible amount of fleece. The size and form of carcass appears to have had little or no influence with breeders ; and, as long as the one feature, mohair, was not lacking in quantity, any goat was considered proper to breed. FVom the illustrations in Mr. Schreiner's book on the South African industry, it is quite evident a very great difference exists, even in the selected animals that he has used to repre- sent the type of the South African Angora. The C. G. Lee goat, for instance, on page 119, with its straight back, and imiform growth of fleece, is as different from the one bred by Mr. R. Featherstone (page 105), as the differ- ence is between two types of Merino sheep. Both are very super- ior animals no doubt, yet, after reading a description of the C. G. Lee animal, it is quite clear they belong to very different species, and should not be classed together. And, on page 145, are two very handsome young Angora bucks, bred by John Rex, and the late J. B. Evans, which show very different points. One has Breeding — PastExperieiiec — Result of Crossing the Angora. i8i a very full tuft of mohair on the forehead, while the other is perfectly bare on the forehead. Referring to the Lee goat, Mr. Schreiner says: "Mr. C. G. Lee certainly possesses some of the purest, finest, and most remunerative goats in South Africa. He recently wrote to the 'Eastern Proiince Herald,' re- marking upon the undergrowtli in his goats, adding that it is the finest, and most valuable part of the fleece, being used by manufacturers in the place of silk." See S:hreiner, page lOL Writing about the difference in the Angora goat of Turkey, Mr. Diehl, in his report to the Agricultural Department in 1863, says : ■'There is also a second, or other, variety of Angora, or shawl wool, goat besides those generally described. This goat has an unchanging outer cover of long, coarse hair, between the roots of which comes in winter an undercoat of downy wool that is naturally thrown off in spring, or is carefully combed out for use. A remarkably fine species of this breed exists throughout the area to which the white-haired goat is limited, and similar br eds prevail all over the highlands of Turkish, and Persian Armenia, Koordistan, and at Kirman; and, although some flocks yield finer fleeces than others, it is called the same wool, or underdown, as the wool of Cashmere and Thibet, and samples of the wool of the Thibetian, and the double-wooled goat of the banks of the Euxine show them to be but varieties of the same species. "This goat is of a larger size than those of the more southern Tur- kish provinces, and its wool finer, and is probably the variety introduced by Dr. Davis from Asia Minor as the 'Cashmere,' and now erroneously so-called throughout the country, as all the importations to this country, as far as we can learn, were shipped from ports on the Mediterranean, or Constantinople, several thousand miles from Cashmere, or Thibet, through inhospitable and almost untravelled countries for Europeans, which goes far to prove the so-called 'Cashmere' goat to be the 'Angora.'" See Agtl. Dept. Report for 1863, page 223. (If we are to understand from '^unchanging outer-cover of hair," mentioned above by IMr. Diehl, that it does not shed in the spring, it may explain, to a certain extent, the existence of a ''non-shedding type" of mohair goats which I intend to refer to later on.) Mr. H. O. Binns states there are no less than thirty (Mr. Diehl says there are forty) different kinds of mohair produced in Turkey, but attributes it to diversitv of climate. He says : i8j a Nvzu Industry. "With such a wide diversity of cHmate, it cannot be expected that the mohair from the whole area will be of one uniform kind. In fact, about thirty different kinds are produced from as many different localities. These localities I shall call 'goat districts.' The following table gives a list of these different goat districts. Each name is that of a locality which produces its own peculiar kind of mohair. It may be taken as a prac- tically complete list of the principal goat districts. After each name there is indicated in brackets, whether it is a kaza, which gives its name t-o the goat district, or a town, a village, or merely a place where a weekly bazaar is held. The distances between many of the Jocalities are given, as well as the distance of each from the town of Angora. These distances are only approximate, but are accurate enough for the purpose to which they are applied. Turkish roads are reckoned by hours, as at the Cape, and the Turkish 'hour' is supposed to be three miles (at the Cape it is six.) This has been taken as the basis of computation in reckoning the various distances. "It is at once apparent from this list that, as has already been said, the mohair area is practically comprised in the two provinces of Angora and Kastamouni; and, one is immediately struck by the fact, how short are the distances that separate many of the different goat districts from one another. "In some of these goat districts there are district markets, where each of the leading mohair merchants has his agent: there are, Eskischehr, Sivrihissar, Beibazar, Ayash, Nallikhan, Geredeh, Cherkesh, Changura, Koniah, Sivas (and Van) ; Angora and Kastamboul being, of course, the two great markets. But every goat district mentioned in the above list is characterized by its own particular variety of mohair; the hair grown in each, has some special characteristic which enables an expert at once to distinguish it from all others. "This seems strange, considering the short distances that tht var- ious centres are from one another; but there can be no doubt of its cor- rectness, for all authorities are agreed upon it. For instance, Mr. Gavin Gatheral, in his paper, read before the Royal Colonial Institute in 1878, says that the mohair area (he makes it somewhat smaller than Mr. Binns) produces more than twenty varieties of hair, each of which is easily recog- nized by experts. Mr. Binns is very clear upon the point. He says that each district impresses some local peculiarity upon the hair grown in it. He adds: 'Goats in Turkey are constantly being sold round in small lots, so that an intermixture continually goes on. Nevertheless, though out of each of many parcels of mohair from every district in Turkey I could pick out many places which would so much resemble each other as^ to defy the best expert to tell which was which; yet, were lots of a few bales of the average mohair of each district placed in a row, and cut open at the side, any one of our Constantinople merchants could tell which was C ■ ■?.Ht^pQ^ ■^ : • S^w : : "^ : > : ■Ig2 :'^>i^^5: ^2;^' 5: ^ ^^H X ] sgg ^ ^ ^ ►^ j$ 'i ^' S; ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ?: ^ ^' ?i ^ Z ^' ■ ^' ^* ^ aj ^t: E? fS H ■ ■!i< as 1^'S t; .a j> d.:: 1- 30 --c — ' Tl -H -M r- I.-; O O x^ ;c -h -M re X :i x- -M O X' x r- x O O oo .2;Q Ol ■* ;c X t- X -t^ -M -t< CO 1.-5 ;c X 1- cr: re r— o t- C^ c; O « ^i^ ro -^ i-( cD t-H^-HrH— IrHi-HrH .^^ ^ rH I— 1 C] 'M Csl > '. '■ rj '. ■ J • : ■ X' ; ' — '"' ■ . - X r-l S ^ ■ 5 Hoc a ol X r -t- X §^ "px ll . 12; M |j| .sir-' r = oi-. ?^'2jD:B'-='-^'t ^^ 'S,':b ^ s 0.^.5 tyoii'3 c-^ ^ -^ ^2 bi-- 3 .:; ^ -<•< a ^ "^ 50} 73 :j > ^ WQW < E-( -^ cq - ^ m S>^ W — 1 jq X 184 A Nnv Industry. which. And we who have lived some years in the town of Angora, could tell whether a small lot came from Hymane, Elma-Dagh, Stamos, etc., though in some cases but a mile or two might separate the villages. But this, of course, the Constantinople merchants could not do. "Again, regarding varieties of mohair (and necessarily of goats) he says: 'One cannot say they are exactly so many types, definitely fixng :he number, for there are endless subdivisions; but, a connoisseur in mohair can tell you, from the bulk of the bales, when opened, from which particular district it has come, provided it has been sent separately from the purchasing centre town of the same name. Each district dis- plays a general type of its own, yet, in each, or most of them, there are again other subdivisions from the class, or type, of which a local agent can always tell, in a moment, where the mohair originally came from. "Again, each district has its own peculiarities in class of mohair suf- ficient to enable a mohair expert to tell at a glance from which district, or village, a parcel had come. But there is sometimes a difficulty on the Constantmople market in identifying a lot of hair with any particular district, for the hair obtains its name from the town from which it was sent to Constantinople, irrespective of where it was grown or purchased. Thus, the clips get mixed, many different kinds being ranked under one name, for the travelling agents go from village to village making their pur- chases and then lump the different clips together, and take the hair to the best market, under whose name all that lot of hair is henceforth known. Thus, if the Angora local market be higher than the Kastamboul market, the hair grown in the kazas, in the UIgaz — Dagh mountains, goes there, and vice versa; and thus, a part of the same clip might one year be known as Kastamboul hair, and the next as Angora hair. It seems, therefore, clear that the only reliable testimony as to where the hair really is grown and comes from in the first instance, is that of the local merchants and buyers in the towns of Angora, and Kastamboul." See Schreiner, pp. 110-114. This is certainly at variance with all authorities upon the subject of climatic influence on animals that I have ever read, and has been clearly disproved by the experience we have had with the Angora goat in the United States, which has been reared in nearly every State in the Union, in lowlands and high- lands, in hot climates and cold climates, and there has been no perceptible change in the character of the fleece (except, per- haps, that some has a much smoother feel and more lustre than others), and I am inchned to attribute this great difference in the quahty of mohair in Turkey, mentioned by Mr. Binns, Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. i8^ rather to the course of breeding" that has been followed, than to the influence of the climate. It is well known that the color of soil has a tendency to stain the fleece of an animal like a sheep or goat. It is quite possible indeed, for any one familiar with the different sections in Texas, to determine where certain wool was raised, by its color, or the dirt in it. I know, too. it is claimed, that the West Indies, or any tropical climate, has a tendency to change the character of wool to that of hair, but I am not prepared to believe this until I see it. There has never been any scientific effort to produce wool in any of our tropical climates, and, because the sheep that art raised in Mexico have a coarse, hairy fibre, is no evidence that the heat of that country is the cause. The Mexican is known to be a very careless breeder, generally permitting his stock- to interbreed at will, and it is not unlikely, a large amount of this supposed climatic influence is chargeable to a want of system.. It seems to me if climate had any material influence upon the hair of an animal, it would have a similiar influence upon the hair of a human being, and, we all know, this is not the case, as for example, the African, and Asiatic, races, who continue to produce the same kind of hair the world over. The Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume I, page 84, says: "Animals, especially the higher forms, are much less sensitive to change of temperature, as shown by the extensive ranges from north to south of many species. Thus the tiger ranges from the equator to north- ern Asia, as far as the river Amour, and to the isothermal of 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Wolves and foxes are found alike in the coldest and hottest parts of the earth." There is no doubt that a cold climate has a tendency to increase the quantity of wool that an animal produces, especially the sheep ; and, the experience we have had with the Angora goat in the United States shows that it has the same influence on this animal. A warm climate, too, has a tendency to reduce the quantity of wool, or hair, btit the quality is always the same in both climates ; at least, such has been my observation with these animals in the United States. i86 A New Industry. Food, in my opinion, has had more to do in shaping the outcome of an animal, than chmate has ever done. Not many years ago, it was beheved to be impossible to breed any of the improved kinds of cattle in Texas, but the experience of the past few years has demonstrated that they can, not only be pro- duced as well, l)ut can be fattened, to as high a degree, as in any of the colder States. This impression doubtless originated through the many failures of ranchmen who turned thorough- bred stock on the open range to hustle for their living with native stock. The result was, very naturally, disappointing; but, as soon as proper care was taken to get the animals accustomed to the change of food, they thrived quite as well as any of the natives did, and, in some instances, much better. It is a well known fact that some cattle raised in Texas have been made to develop into larger animals by transferring them to the range of Montana, and other Northern Territories. This is, doubtless, explained by the more nourishing kind of grass the animals received in the Northern Territories and not by the change in climate. The best evidence of this is, that if a horse is kept up in the North, and another in the extreme South, fed and cared for in the same identical way, they will both present the same general appearance. If climate has the effect to increase the size of an animal, why is it that in many parts of the South may be found larger men and women than in some parts of the North ? It is, in my opinion, the blood that makes both man and l)east ; and, if proper food is provided, the development of the frame will be governed entirely by the class of blood the animal has. Water, I think, has more or less to do in the matter of development of both man and beast, and, when we reflect upon the wonderful medicinal qualities that water possesses, it is not at all unlikely that many of the failures in raising the higher grades of live stock in the South is due to impure water, as well as a poor class of food. In parts of Virginia, and Tennessee, native-born children grow to be larger, and heavier-boned, men, and women, in one Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. i8y County over those raised in the adjoining County, which is sup- posed to be caused by difference in water. Limestone existing" in one, and freestone in the other. That a very different kind of a goat from the original has resulted from these several crossings there can be no doubt. In referring to this subject, Mr. Schreiner, quoting from Mr. Henry O. Binns, describes the "Original pure Angora ram, in his prime, as about the size of a five months' old Cape kid, with small thin horns, wooled all over the body, the hair almost covering the eyes, exceedingly delicate, and so subject to disease that no one cared to keep him. What is today called the pure- bred Angora is like the English thoroughbred horse, the result of cross- ing and re-crossing, until body, class, points, etc., have attained to what is generally considered that the thoroughbred Angora ought to be. This pretty little animal did well to give 2i4 pounds of hair." See Schreiner page 55. And, referring to the effects of the crossing, Mr. Schreiner admits "There is at tmes some considerable variation in the shape of horns. * * The ears, though the lop ears predominate there is much difference in their droop; and, in their size, 'mouse ears' being by no means infre- quent; * * and such defects of covering, style of locks, etc., are evident- ly, in the main, due to the Angora having been crossed with the common goat, and to a less extent (at any rate in Asia Minor) with other varieties. Another different effect of crossing may be mentioned as of great impor- tance, which is that the modern Angora often has two kids at a birth." See Schreiner, pages 103 and 104. It is Mr. Schreiner's opinion, too, that, "This breed which is not yet quite fixed, but is gradually tending to become so, is a larger, somewhat coarser, hardier breed, with an oilier and much heavier fleece, which, though, not attaining to the high level of that of the original pure Angora, is nevertheless, in the best specimens, of great beauty and excellence, and equal to the most exacting demands of the purest mohair manufacturing trade. * * The ideal goat in Turkey, today, has a leady-white tint of fleece, while, in the Cape, the tendency is towards strazv color." See Schreiner, page 106. CASHMERE, OR ANGORA. In connection with the breeding of the Angora goat in the United States, it may be proper to state, that at least a portion 18S A Nezv Industry. of the goats that Dr. Davis imported in 1849, were of the Thibet, and Cashmere, breed, for he says, in his letter to the Agricultural Department in 1853 : "I will now introduce the Thibet shawl goat, belonging to the cold- est regions. I accidentally came into possession of a pair of these anirtials, but lost the male. I have a considerable increase from the fe- male, bred with a 'Cashmere buck.' The 'Thibet'* goat has, under a long coarse hair, a coat of beautiful white wool, which when combed, makes about a pound to the fleece. I had these specimens with me at the Zoo- logical Gardens in London, and, in comparing them with a stuffed spec- men of a Rocky Mountain goat, I could not discern the slightest differ- ence, nor do I yet see any change of the first cross of the 'Cashmere' buck upon my 'Thibet' doe, but in the third cross upon the 'Cashmere' we may expect a valuable experiment by changing the fine under wool or down, into a conjoint and uniform covering of wool.' See Agtl. Dept. Report for 1853, page 21. Bearing on this matter, the following letter from Col. Zim- merman Davis, Secretary and Treasurer of the Charleston Water Works, and a nephew of Dr. Davis, wih be interesting. Charleston, S. C, Sept. 8th, 1899. Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. Dear Sir — I am in receipt of your favor of the 1st inst. in regard to the 'Cashmere' and 'Angora' goats imported by my uncle, Dr. James B. Davis, in 1849. "I was a lad, fifteen years old, when my uncle and his family return- ed from Turkey, with the animals he imported. He staid for some time at my father's house here in Charleston, and the animals were kept in the yard. They were a small llock of 'Cashmere' goats, one large 'Thibet' and a Maltese Jack. "The 'Thibet' goat had two qualities of hair, the coarser quality being the longest, the finer quality being under, and next to the skin. I remem- ber that my aunt and her daughter would separate the two qualities by hand, so as to get a higher price for the fleece. I never heard the 'Cash- mere' called 'Angora' by him. "After a residence for some time in Charleston and vicinity, Dr. Davis moved to the vicinity of Columbia, S. C. and after some years he moved back to his origina:! home in Monticello, in Fairfield county, where he died about the beginning of the Civil war. I remember that he, several times sold a trio (a buck and two ewes) for $1500.00. He was also the first to cross the 'Cashmere' upon the native goat in order to make them *See plate III. O s_ ! 53" 9; <^ Itural Rep from Tu weight has not II 1 cr 0^ u) rf LU X en es Agri ed in 18 3 pound s anim ?a^^ ■^ -> n CO) ^« ■ ., C (3 S § d" c-° she tIant arol will ^(■ ._ > ■n ^'.E^ ( ) iJ) °o UJ "S£r -o o Breeding — PastExperienec — Result of Crossing the Angora, ipj} is superior to most mutton, tender and delicious, making them a desir- able acquisition to our food-producing animals. The ease with which they are kept, living as they do on weeds, briers, browse, and other coarse herbage, fits them for many portions of our country where sheep cannot be sustained to advantage, while their ability and disposition to defend themselves against dogs, evidence a value peculiar to this race. They are free from all diseases to which sheep are liable, hardy and prolific, and experience has proven that they readily adapt themselves to all portions of the United States. The bucks breed readily with the common goats the second cross yielding a fleece of practical utility, whilst the fourth is but little inferior to that of the pure breed. A flock of valuable wool- bearing goats can be raised in a few years, by using grade bucks." See Agtl. Dcpt. Report 18G3, page 227. In 1856, by a resolution of the Southern Central Agricul- tural Association of Georgia, a committee was appointed to report on the goats now in the possession of Mr. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, (these were the same goats referred to by Dr. Davis in 1853, he having sold them to Col. Peters in 1854) and in compliance therewdth, presented through Dr. John Bach- man, the eminent naturalist, of Charleston, South Carolina, their Chairman, an elaborate report, from which the followang is an extract : "Familiar as we have been through a long life with the changes pro- duced by crosses among varieties of domestic animals and poultry, there is one trait in these goats which is more strongly developed than in any other variety that we have ever known. We allude to the wonderful facil- ity with which the young, of the cross betweeen the male of the Asiatic goat, and the female of the common goat, assumes all of the character- istics of the former. It is exceedingly difficult to change a breed that has become permanent in any of our domestic varieties, whether it be that of horses, cattle, sheep, or hogs, into another variety by the aid of the male of the latter. There is a tendency to run back into their original va- rieties; hence, the objection to mixed breeds. But in the progeny of these Asiatic, and common goats, nine-tenths of them exhibit the strongest tendency to adopt the characteristics of the male, and to elevate them- selves into the higher and nobler grade, as if ashamed of their coarse, dingy hair, and musky aromatics, and desirous of washing out the odor- ous perfume, and putting on the white liverv of a more respectable race. Mr. Peters has not bred any quarter-breeds. He made wethers of all his half-breed males, of 1856, and sold his three-quarter blood bucks. He now owns 150 half-blood females, seventy-five three-fourths blood ip6 A Nezu Industry. females, and six seven-eighths blood females. He has also four females three-quarters Asiatic and one-quarter Thibet shawl. There appears to be no improvement in this mixture with the Shawl goat, over that pro- duced by a union with the common goat; indeed, the product which we saw in Charleston from what was called the 'Cashmere,' and the Asiatic goat, was decidedly inferior. "The half-bloods, as we have staled, have an undercoat of fine, downy wool, closely resembling and equal in quality, and quantity, to the fleece of the 'Thibet Sha\yr goats imported into this country. The three-quarter breeds in mid-winter show an undercoat of greater quantity and length. In both grades this under-fur drops out in summer. The fifteen-six- teenths, or one-sixteenth common goat resembles the Asiatic goat in quantity and quality of fleece and size of carcass so closely that we found it impossible to distinguish them from the full-bloods. Another advant- age is likely to result from this admixture with the common goat: The half-blood females produce two kids at a birth, and the three-quarter blood females, generally, although not always, two. Thus the breed may be rendered more prolific. We here perceive in how short a period of time our whole race of now almost worthless goats may be converted into a breed valuable for its flesh and wool." (See Agtl. Dept. Report, J857, pp. 63-64.) It will be observed that Dr. Davis, as well as other author- ities referred to above, mention these goats as being of the '"Thibet," and "Cashmere,' breed, and for a number of years they were called "Cashmere" by every one interested, but it ap- pears that through the action of cross-breeding with our com- mon goat the fur underneath the hair disappeared to a great extent in a few years, and finally, disappeared altogether. It then became a question with many as to whether they were the "Cashmere" or the "Angora." Dr. Davis, unfortunely, died, or perhaps he could have explained the cause of the changed condition of his goats. At all events, the matter remained in doubt for a number of years during which a very considerable interest was taken to decide upon their breeding. In Dr. Bachman's report on them, he says : "This animal differs also from the 'Angora' goat to which it has a nearer approach, and from which this improved variety has probably descended. In the few specimens of the 'Angora' which we saw many years ago in Europe, and in the figures now extant of this variety, the ears, compared with those of the goats of Mr. Peters were smaller and Breeding — F'ast Experience— Resiilt of Crossing the Angora, ipy less pendulous; the tail much longer; the neck covered with a mane of almost straight hair, reaching the shoulders, and uniting with the beard under the chin; the body was larger and more goat-like, and had less the appearance of a sheep than the present variety. The fleece was equally white and glossy, but more than twice as coarse. By what local name this breed of goats, owned by Mr. Peters, is called in the East, remains for some future naturalist or traveler to determine. It will prob- ably be found among some of the varieties spoken of by Hodgson, and other travelers, who have given very imperfect descriptions of the varieties existing in the hilly regions of Nepal and Thibet, but who say of them: 'One character they all have in common — pendent or semi-pendent ears, more or less prolonged, and in all the hair falls in long masses, sometimes twisted into spiral ringlets.' " We have adopted the usual rule among naturalists in designating animals by the common names under which they were sent, leaving it to time, and further observation to determine their true place in science. Hence, we have continued the name under which it was imported, which may have been 'Cashmere' in one of the languages of the East, as it is a general term, the name of the country which is known to possess several distinct varieties, both of the goat and sheep. At present, we can only designate them by the general term 'Asiatic goats,' or, to be more definite, as the 'Davis Cashmere goats,' from the individual who introduced them." See Agtl. Dept. Rept. 1857, p. 59. Col. Peters himself was long in doubt as to their real char- acter, for he says in a letter to the Agtl. Dept. in 1855 : "They differ materially from the 'Thibct-shawl' goats, and also from the 'Angora' goats, although they may prove to be of that variety, changed by climate, breeding and selection. They are, in ni}'- opinion, the true 'Cashmere' goat, a variety never before introduced into Europe, nor America." See Agtl. Dept. Report 1855, page 54. But later he decided on their being the "Angora," and they have gone by that name ever since. Dr. Davis seems to have anticipated that there would be a decided change in the charac- ter of their fleece ; for, he stated most distinctly, in his letter to the Agtl. Dept. in 1853, above referred to: "In the third cross we may expect a valuable experiment by chang ing the fine underwool, or down, into a conjoint and uniform covering of wool." (See Agtl. Dept. Report 1853, page 21.) It should be borne in mind that, the goats of Dr. Davis, pro- duced one pound of under-hair, which is much more than the ig8 A Nczv Industry. "Cashmere" goat produces and would indicate that his animals, while possessing- the same characteristic as the "Cashmere," were of a different, and far superior, species, as the latter are only said to produce about hi'o ounces of undercoating'. (See Appen- dix on Cashmere goat.) The double coating, as above stated, disappeared entirely in a few years, and there has never been any evidence of such an animal in the United States since* that time, which gave rise to much doubt as to whether Dr. Davis' statements concerning the character of his goats were correct. In a newspaper interview, with Col. Richard Peters in At- lanta, Georgia, in 1876, that gentleman says : "Dr. Davis had fallen into error as to the native country of his goats, and believing them to be 'Casluncrc,' quoted their fleeces as being worth from six to eight dollars per pound while in reality they were \4n- goras' whose fleece, known to commerce as 'mohair,' has been an article of import into Great Britian, and this country, for years, and held at from sixty cents, to one dollar, per pound." Wishing to obtain the most authentic information upon this subject that was possible, I addressed a letter to Mrs. Harriett K. White, a daughter of Dr. Davis, asking if she did not have among the papers of her deceased father some evidence that would be likely to explain this matter, and the following is that lady's reply : ■•Bryan. Texas, :March ^(i, lUOO. •'Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Since the receipt of your letter I have been trying to obtain the information you asked for. I have recently come into posses- sion of a small trunk of letters, and papers, and I think it will aid you in your work, to give you the result of my researches. Yours very truly. •■H;\RRIET K. WHITE" The following are among the extracts from the newspapers that Mrs. White so kindly has supplied me with which were printed in 185G. *Since the foregoing was penned, Mr. J. C. Hightower, of Ruidosa, New Mexico, has sent me a sample of hair from a ten-year-old buck, which shows the two coats of hair very distinctly, which I shall refer to more particularly later on. Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora, ipp Frojii the "New York Country Gentleman:" "We are under obligations to R. C. Foster, Esq., of Nashville> Tenn., for samples of wool from 'Cashmere' goats, from the flock of Mr. William- son of Sumner County, Tennessee, who Mr. F. informs us, has about thirty of these goats. The wool, or hair, as we suppose it may more prop- erly be called, is a beautiful, soft, silky, article, from ten to twelve inches in length. We should be glad to have the history of this flock, the amount of produce, etc." Then follows: "The following report was made by Col. Richard Allen, late of Ken- tucky, and long and favorably known as a wool grower, under whose care these animals were placed during the winter of 1855-(), being the first winter after they were brought to Tennessee." "Gallatin, Sumner County, Tennessee, June 5th, 1856. 'To the Editors of the 'Ciiltivaior and 'Country Gentleman: 'I have been thinking for some time of calling your attention, and of the numerous readers of your widely circulated agricultural journals to the recent importations of the "Cashmere" shawl goat, an animal, as re- markable for the extreme fineness of its fleece, as for the enormous prices which it at all times commands in market. The first, and only importa- tion to the United States, was made a few years since, from Turkey in Asia, by Dr. James B. Davis of Columbia, S. C, who resided some j^ears in the East, and procured them under great difficulties, and at much cost, and personal hazard. They have been recently introduced into Tennessee by Messrs. Williamson, Adams & Co., an enterprising firm of public spirited gentlemen at Gallatin, Tenn., and are now on my farm near this place. The company have a charter of incorporation granted by the last Legislature of the State which is doing all in its power for the encouragement of the farming interests, having in successful op eration societies under the direct charge of a State Bureau, in the three grand divisions of the State in connection with the County societies in most of the large and populous counties. The fact is, Tennessee, so long behind-hand in that public countenance to these interests, is now far ahead of most of the older States in the encouragement and fostering of associations for the advancement of agricultural and mechanical arts. Most of your readers are doubtless familiar with the history of the 'Cashmere' goat, and it is scarcely necessary to speak of the in- trinsic value of the wool over that of any other fleeced animal known. The most fabulous prices at which the shawls have sold is known to almost every one, often approaching thousands of dollars each. One of the chief causes of its high value is the unperishable nature of the goods manufactured from the 'Cashmere-wool' surpassing in durabil- 200 A Nciv Industry. ity of wear all other articles. The adaptation of the animal to our cli- mate has now been fully tested, while its hardy and lively nature; its habits and self-protection from dogs, and other enemies, are qualities which highly recommend them. They can be raised advantageously, and thrive upon weeds, and briars, etc., which are rejected by other animals. Not the least remarkable is the manner of gathering the fleece which is pulled, instead of being sheared. I have recently weighed the fleece from one, and it turned out three pounds, ten ounces (3 lbs. 10 ozs.) semi-annually. The entire yield of the Company's stock has been engaged in the City of New York at $8.50 per pound, from which point it will be sent to Paisley, in Scotland, for manufacturing into the shawls. I beg leave to enclose a sample of my raising. It may not be out of place in this connection to remark that great credit is due to Dr. Davis of South Carolina, for the enterprise he exhibited in the introduction of the goat to this country. He was, at the time in the employ of the Turkish government, at a salary of $15,000.00, engaged in experiments upon the growing of cotton in the Sultan's dominions. He went out upon the recommendation of Pres- ident Polk, to whom application was made by the Turkish government for the services of some competent Southern gentleman familiar with the cotton culture. While there, he determined to procure the goat from its native wilds, 'ihe story of the journey would be tedious for my brief letter, and I will merely add that, with an expensive outfit at Constantinople, a perilous journey of months, and the loss of many men and camels, he succeeded in capturing, and carrying off, eleven of the famous animals whose fleeces in the shape of shawls are so highly prized, and coveted by the ladies of all civilized nations, and for which prices almost start- ling have been paid by the wealthy. On his return home Dr. Davis visited London and exhibited liis flock at the British Museum, attracting great attention, an account of which may be found in the files of the 'London Times' of that date. They were, also, afterwards exhibited at Paris. After a careful examination of the whole subject I can not avoid the conclusion that the introduction of the animal will constitute an era in manufacturing which can not fail to result in great profits, to those engaged in it. There has not been a single instance, up ,to this date, where a 'Cashmere shawl' goat has brought at sale less than $1000.00 each. ■ "RtCHARD ALLEN." Extract from a microscopic examination of the hair of the Asiatic goats, by George L. SchafTer, M. D., U. S. Patent Office : Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 201 "As the history of these goats has already been given in the agri- cultural reports of the Patent Office for 1853, as well as in other pub- Hcations by Dr. J. B. Davis of S. C, it is deemed unnecessary to repeat it here. "The full-bred animals of this importation, as well as their crosses on the common goa.t, have been sent to various parts of the country. Dr. D. C. Ambler of New York, who has introduced them into that State, has presented the specimens for examination at this office. "The value and good points of these animals have been so well reported upon at the various exhibitions, at which they have taken prizes, that I shall say nothing upon this subject, but proceed at once to the immediate object of this paper. "The first specimen examined was from a full-bred 'Davis' female born in South Carolina, and carried when three months old to Water- ville, Oneida County, New York, by Dr. Ambler, by whom it is now owned. The fleece was taken when twelve months old. The lock ex- amined shows a very beautiful curled, or wavy hair, of silvery whiteness, with a fine downy wool at its base. The hair selected for representation was ten inches long, and magnified four hundred times. The next specimen, was, from a full-bred female, born in South Carolina, and carried to Harper's Ferry in Virginia, when four months old, owned by Col. B. Davenport. The fieece was taken when twelve months old. In this lock, the down-wool was somewhat more abundant than in the former, the hair being nearly as long and a little finer. The third specimen was from a full-bred male born in South Carolina, similar to the former in the hair, with less down-wool. "The fourth specimen was from a second-cross between the full- bred, and common goat, born in South Carolina, and carried to New York, when four months old. The fleece was taken when twelve months old, five inches in length, exceedingly beautiful in color, and texture, and about equal to the finest saxony wool, all of which were compared with different hairs from a piece of shawl stuff, imported from Calcutta, and said to be the finest ever brought to this country." After which, Mr. Schaifer states: "It is gratifying to be assured that the fleece may be raised in this country, with a fineness closely approximating to that which it has ever attained in Asia under the most favorable circum- stances. From the "Weekly American Banner," Yazoo City, Miss. : "We have in our sanctum a specimen of the fleece of the genuine 'Cashmere' goat. Nothing of the kind, which we have ever seen, approaches it in softness, fineness and beauty. It is long, silky, silvery, finer than spun-glass, and quite as glossy.' Those of our friends who have a taste for such things are invited to call and see it. 202 A Nnv Industry. "The 'Cashmere' goat is not sheared like a sheep, but the fleece is pulled off twice every year. An ordinary fleece weighs between three and four pounds. The New York price is $8.50 per pound making at least $51.00 a year for each goat, while there is no cost in feeding them, for they are as frugal and hardy as the common goat. How much better would it be for a company of our citizens, letting cotton alone, as much less profitable to introduce the 'Cashmere' goat. The cost at first would be considerable; the goats selling about $1000.00; but each one would make a return of five per cent, while the increase is so rapid that the profit would soon be a hundred per cent. "The cross with the common goat, even the second cross, yields a fine, and beautiful fleece, though not so long, and fine, as the pure breed. "Our country is indebted to Dr. J. B. Davis of Columbia, S. C, for the importation of the 'Cashmere' goat from Turkey in Asia. He was formerly employed by the Sultan to experiment upon the culture of cotton in Turkey, and while there he succeeded in capturing and bring- ing home eleven goats. No others have ever been imported, but the 'Cashmere' goats are already becoming numerous in the United States. The fabric manufactured from its fleece is not only beautiful, but the most durable in the world, and it is the union of these two qualities which makes it so costly." From the "Presbyterian Herald," Louisville, Ky. : "Expensive animals. Among the 'passengers' by the Hudson River Railroad on Saturday were two 'Cashmere' goats bound for Tennessee. The Albany Times says they were purchased in South Carolina at $2600, and have been exhibited in New York. Admitting the two animals to weigh sixty pounds, for they are diminutive creatures, they would cost about forty-four dollars per pound, which is a rather extrav- agant price, almost equal to what Esau paid on one occasion for a mess of pottage, made from similar meat. As the wool of these goats, however, sells for eigJif dollars per pound, the specimens above referred to may prove a good investment." From the "Philadelphia Ledger:" "It is not as yet generally known that the 'Thibet" goat, from whose wool the famous Cashmere shawls are made, has been introduced suc- cessfully into the United States. This enterprising undertaking was achieved a few years ago after difficulties by Dr. J. B. Davis of Colum- bia, S. C, at that time employed by the Ottoman Porte in experimenting on the growth of cotton in the Sultan's dominions. Dr. Davis succeeded at vast expense in securing eleven head of pure breed which, on his way home, he exhibited in London and Paris. Since that period the goat has been introduced from South Carolina into Tennessee, where it is said to thrive. Breeding — PastExperienee — Result of Crossing the Angora. 20^ From the "Sumner (Term.) Flag:" "The value of a flock may be estimated from the fact that no real 'Thibet' goat has ever been sold for less than one thousand dollars. This enormous price, moreover, is not a speculative one, for no fleeced animal has wool of such fineness, softness, and durability. The wool of all 'Thibet' goats in Tennessee, for example, has been engaged in New York this year at eight dollars and a half per pound. The pur- chasers desiring to send it to Paisley. Scotland in order to be manuufac- tured into shawls." From the "Examiner," of Gallicin, Tenn. : "High-priced wool. The first lot of 'Cashmere' wool raised in Tennes- see was sold last week in this place by the agent of the Sumner Cashmere Company for $8.50 per pound. We learn it is to go to the Shakers of Kentucky, where it will be combed, and probably manufactured into textile fabrics.'' We were shown, a few days ago, a specimen of fleece from a half- blood 'Cashmere' goat raised by Dr. James M. Head, of this County. "It is about three inches long, of a silvery whiteness, and about equal to the finest Saxony wool. It is interspersed with a few coarse hairs, which will disappear with another cross, each increasing the length and fineness of the fibre. Dr. Head has refused $200.00 for the kid, the dam of which cost him one dollar about a year since." Numerous other quotations might be made, but the above I think are quite sufficient to prove the fact that the "Davis" goats did not eonie from Angora in Turkey, but, were undoubt- edly, a different variety of goats, which Dr. Davis had probably learned of during his stay in the employ of the Turkish govern- ment. I reach this conclusion from two circumstances that are abundantly substantiated by the testimony I have. just given : First. Mr. Richard Allen stales: "While there he (3Ir. Davis) determined to procure the goat from its native wilds. The story of the journey would lie tedious for my brief letter, and I will merely add: With an expensive outfit at Constantinople, a per- ilous journey of months, and the loss of many men and camels, he succeeded in capturing, and carrying off eleven of the famous animals. '" * * * Second. The price that the fleece of these animals sold for is uniformly placed at $6.00 to $8.50 per pound, and was sent to Paiselv Scotland, to be made into fabrics. 204 ^ Nciv Industry. It is well known and must have been known to Dr. Davis, who resided for three years in Turkey that, the ordinary "An- gora" goat was obtainable with little or no trouble, within a few hours travel of Constantinople. ^VJt!/ then sjiovld lie have fitted out such et lai ge and expensive ex])editio)i, and ha ve con- sumed months in a ■periloifsjuurnef/y And, as to the value of the fleeces. It is well known that or- dinary mohair was an article of export to Great Britain at the time Dr. Davis was living- in Constantinople, and he must have been familiar with its market value. It was quoted at 48 cents per pound in 185G, when the com- mittees of gentlemen, appointed by the various fairs and agri- cultural associations, reported it as being worth $G.OO to $8.00 per pound. It is idle to 'suppose that these honorable gentlemen were ignorant of this conmiercial fact ; and, to suppose that they would sit upon a committee for the purpose of attesting to the merits of an article, and fail to investigate very fully into that feature of their report, is too silly to admit of argument. That the animals referred to were of the character des- cribed, there cannot be the shadow of a doubt ; and, the only explanation that can be advanced for the change in the nature of the wool, or fleece, is that, thr<>u{/h t/ie crossijig of the pure Ijreed animal, ivith the common short /laired varietij of tins country , an entirely different class (f .stock iras pnidnced which, in a great measure fully vindicates the opiju'on expressed t)y Dr. Davis in 1 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o P C McLen o Jos. E Hamblin, Knab. Wash. o rff: o o No Name. Bucoda H. C, u Lafayette Holt. Burlington W.Va. o o o o o O. D Hill. Keadalia Penn o o o <) o o Miller ito Sibley. Franklin. Okla. o o o o o o J. K. Young. Woodward o o o o o o o o o o W. J. Seever. St. Louis. o o o o o A. Lippincott, Sheridan Iinn. A. G. Wilcov. Hugo •Since thl» wa« writtwn, Mr. .J. C. Hiifhtower, of KuiiJosa, N. M., ha» written me of a ^oat that had two coats of hair. HIk letter may be fouad under the head of Xew Mexico Breeders' Ueports. A Nezv Industry. GENERAL SUMMARY. FORM OF QUESTION ASKED. 'Have j^ou ever observed any Angora Goat that had two distinc. coats of hair?" 'Have you observed that some An- gora Goats shed sooner than others?" 'Have you observed that some An- gora goats do not shed at all?" . . ■ • 'Have you observed that some An- gora kids do not shed their first, or 'kid,' iiair?" ' Have you had many 'hornless' An- gora goats?" 'How do you decide upon the quality of an Angora Buck?" Number Who Replied YES. Pedigree. 4 Number Who Replied NO. By Merit. 23 Number who failed to make any reply, By Both. 10 TOTAL. 56 56 56 56 No Reply. 19 It will be observed that some of our oldest and largest breeders are among those who have never seen a non-shedding goat ; and, some even go so far as to affirm that such an animal does not exist ; but in the face of the testimony I am now pre- pared to lay before my readers, on this question, I think it is idle to make such a statement. I regard non-shedding a most important feature as the shearing of Angoras in the month of February or March (which is made necessary, in many sections, in order to avoid loss from the shedding of the fleece), is usually attended with more or less loss in life from the cold rains and wind storms that are common at this season of the year. The following communication, from Mr. J.C.P.McLendon, of Texas, will, I think, convince many of the doubters of the existence of this type of Angoras : ' "Dripping Springs, Hays County, Texas, Oct. 16, 1899. "Col. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir:- — Yoitrs of the 4th received. Yes, you can use anything in my former letter I may have said about Angora goats, or in this. Certain- ly, we have different types of so-called pure-bred Angoras. Any breeder Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 2i'j of close observation can but be convinced of that fact. In regard to shedding, I know that climatic influences and the condition of the animal may have some influence, but my experience proved to my satisfaction, that there are Angoras that do not shed their mohair any more than sheep shed their wool, and I think all breeders should aim to secure and per- petuate that type. Col. Robt. W. Scott's stock farm was near Frankfort, Ky. He died some seven or eight years ago. He was a scientific, con- scientious breeder, a true type of the Kentucky gentleman. I never knew him personally, but my dealings and correspondence with him, en- able me to accord him all honor. "I don't know whether I mentioned it or not in my former letter, but all of my goats that did not shed their mohair, were pure white to the skin. Many were white that did shed, but none that had a yellow tinge near the hide held their coats, but shedded off clean with an undercoat of fine short hair, also 3'ellow. Those that were white and shedded, had white, short hair. "Any direct questions you may wish to ask, will be answered to the best of my knowledge. I believe, though, I have condensed all I know of importance. Respectfully, J. C. P McLENDON." Messrs. Conklin Bros., of Xewville, Cal., write as follows : "Newville, California, Aug. 19, 1899. "Mr. Wm. L. Black. "My Dear Sir: — In reply to questions yon ask, will say to No. 1: We have never known a goat to produce fur as an undercoat, but have read that such goats are produced in Turkey, and that the finest Cashmere shawls are made from this undergrowth, after the long hair is separated therefrom. But they are not considered profitable, as they only shear a few ounces, and the heavj', coarse hair is of but little value. "Nc. 3. We have a number of goats that do not shed their hair in the spring, have a continuous growth, and their kids do not shed their kid hair either. This we know, for during kidding, we often paint the twin kids with red paint, and they carry that paint until shorn in the fall, and we believe that by careful and correct breeding, we can secure a flock of that kind. This is one point that we sre working for now. We have no hornless goats but are informed that there is a breed of that kind in Asia Minor, but do not know whether it is a distinct breed or not. "I can not see why there should not be a thoroughbred Angora, as well as a thoroughbred horse, cow, sheep, hog or dog. My idea of the term 'thoroughbred,' is an animal that is bred for points for a period of years, until the type is fixed, so that the offspring will be of the same kind, bred year after year, and not degenerate, or if bred to inferior blood 224 ^ Nezv Industry. will reproduce themselves in six crosses and make a full blood animal. This might be a different type from any other in Turkey, and called the 'American type.' Our goats have been bred for over thirty years, and a systematic record of them kept; each goat numbered, and character noted by points, so that now we can choose a pair of goats, and tell al- most exactly what the progeny will be as to fleece, covering, weight, and constitution, etc. This, we think, is pointing to thoroughbred standard. "There are so many different grades of goats that I think that each individual will have to work out his own type, or strain, and among all of them, there will probably be but few that will produce anything of value. Only very few can succeed in improving any kind of animals. It requires a certain kind of tact and continual effort, and long persever- ance, perhaps a life-time to accomplish one certain idea, as it was with the Merino sheep. One hundred years ago, all sheep in America shed their fleece, more or less; now, such a thing is unheard of unless by disease, and, I am sure that Angoras can be brought to this point, perhaps in a very few years more. Yours very truly, CONKLIN BROS., Per M. L. Conkiin."' A close neighbor to my ranch, Mr. W. F. Luckie, whose postoffice address is Fort McKavett, Menard County, Texas, stated a circumstance, a short time ago, which is very conclusive testimony on this subject. He had placed all of his bucks on the ranch of a neighbor, and failed to shear them with his other goats. One of them carried his fleece perfectly through the entire summer, and, with the exception that it matted in places on the hind cjuarters, it was jtist as nice in appearance as the ones that had shedded ofi and grown a new fleece. Mr. Hoerle, also, refers to having seen non-shedding g-oats during his experience as a breeder in Texas in the early eighties. Mr. Hoerle says, in the circular letter addressed to Mr. Wm. R. Payne, already referred to : "I observed right in the first year, that after shearing, quite a number of my goats would not shed, others showed after shedding, quite a long undergrowth, which looked entirely different from mohair. Amongst the goats which did not shed their mohair, were, so to speak all the off- spring of the Maurice importation, and quite a number of the other thoroughbreds, as well as a few of the high grades. This observation brought me to the conclusion, that the original pure Angora probably did not shed, if shorn at the proper time." Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 225 The following remarks, with reference to non-shedding and other peculiar types of mohair goats by breeders who appear in the tabulated list of replies, will, no doubt, be interesting as well as instructive upon this question. -^ W^^^'Mg 1 1 ^ ■ ^ if 1^ L 1 ' kj/j^jUl 1 ja^ iB •f'T-fi^ •» 1 hH fe;a-&- 1 "" ^H |'« ' % H ^^H 1 tfA„ EMi W,'Lj(:'.-k ri 1 1 PT.ATEVIII. NON-SHEDDING ANGORA BUCK. Property of the author; raised by Mr. J. D Hunter. Junction City, Kimble County, To as. He was sheared October 1.5, 1899, and the above photograph was taken June 15, 1900, being eight months' growth of fleece. There seemed to be very little growth to the mohair, after December 1, until about April 1, when it made a second growth. The spot on the neck, which appears t > be bare of hair, is caused by the shadow from the horn. Mr. H. T. Fuchs, of Tiger Mill, Texas, says : "The better they are graded up the less different kinds of hair they have. I have observed that they are less liable to shed their hair after ihey have passed the fifteen-sixteenth grade. I do not have many kids that do not shed their first kid hair. I have had, perhaps, as many as three per cent, of hornless kids. They are very good shearers, not quite so silky, but are excellent for milk, and are very hardy. 22('> A Nczv Industry. "I do not like these goats with two kinds of hair. I think we should try and raise them to produce only the long, silky, mohair." Mr. J. M. Arnold, of Montell, Uvalde County, Texas, says: ■'I have never seen any Angoras with fur next to the skin. Some of our goats have escaped shearing and passed the shedding season with- out casting their hair until fall; but the most of them shed. "I do not know that the 'hornless goat' is a freak, and feel sure that by using natural hornless bucks and does, their progeny will soon be hornless and breed so. We always select our bucks on merit." Mr. Jno. Brown, of Sonora, Sutton County, says : "With regard to 'non-shedding' goats, I have seen goats that shed but very little, hard to be noticed in fact, but they all shed more or less. The kids that do not shed their first kid hair, are very rare with me. The great majority of them shed. I have had but a few hornless goats. I always select bucks both by pedigree and individual merit." Mr. W. G. Hug-lies, of Hastings, Kendall County, Texas, says : "I do not remember ever having seen any Angoras with fur under the hair , resembling Cashmere wool, (or 'pushm ' ) nor can I believje that it would be advisable to propagate it if found. First, because of the difficulty of separating it from the other part of the fleece; second, because it would be so light that the cost of raising it would be so great, we could hardly expect to get a remunerative price year in and year out, owing to the fact that sale for it would largely depend upon temporary fashions, and not permanent demand, and fashions are pro- verbially fickle. "As to goats that do not shed. Most Angoras that have come under my notice do not shed, though some will shed one year, and not in an- other, I believe that if the goat is poor in the winter and fattens rapidly in the spring, it is more apt to shed than if it comes through the winter in good shape. The same remarks apply to kids; that is, those that are six months or a year old when first shorn. I like to see them retain iheir stubble, and believe it to be a sign of thrift. "I have noticed in some of the flocks a tendency to grow a fleece with considerable oil in it. Those I have seen have invariably had a coarser fibre of hair than the 'non-oily' ones, and I have always tried to avoid this class of goat, having reason to believe that there is no ad- vantage in it, and that the excess of weight is only an unnecessary drain on the goat, because if there is no intrinsic advantage to the staple, buy- er* must sooner or later discriminate against it, when purchasing, to the extent of the shrinkage, just as they now do with wool. My present opinion is also largely based upon the same estimate of its value placed Breeding — Pasi Experience — Result of Crossifig the AngGra. 227 by Mr. Schreiner in his very interesting work, 'The Angora Goat,' (published by Longmans, Green & Co., New York,) and on similar infor- mation which that gentleman very kindly gave me some years before his book appeared in print. Indeed, it was largely due to this that I have been able to avoid what I now regard as a pit-fall, as our breeders are, at present, going through experiences which were gone through years ago by the Cape farmers. "The latter have tried the excessive oil extreme which is now avoided by the best breeders." Mr. Wm. M. Landrum, of Laguna, Texas, says : "I have never seen an Angora with but one coat of mohair, but often an undercoat of kemp. The difference is, 'kemp' is a white, smooth, coarse hair, hollow in the centre, with cells, or scales, on the outside, filled with glue and transparent oil, in all healthy, fat goats. I have seen goats that never shed, and when shorn, would grow hair from the stubble like a sheep. I sheared a doe in 1875 on Guadalupe Island, ofT the coast of Lower California that measured twenty-two inches long and had grown for two years. "I have had kids dropped with two and one-half inches of pure mo- hair on them, and never shed, any more than a Merino sheep. "Regarding bucks. I first look to a goat's ancestors, and if all is right, then to the covering and character of fleece, the form, constitution. and individual merits generally. "I purchased the only hornless buck that ever came to America, bred him to 250 does, mostly grades. I think they are a distinct breed, for they have no kemp, and only one kind of hair. The one I had was a very heavy shearer, but rather too coarse. I sold his hair, generally, for wig-making." Donghter & Luttrell, Lipan, Hood County, Texas, say : "Our observation has been that it is owing to the time of birth of a goat, that makes it shed at different times in the spring. We have some goats that do not shed at all." Tom S. Evans, Exile P. O., Texas, says : "If pure-bred bucks are used and the same style of hair, or sire is used continually, flocks can be bred to uniformity in hair, and to shed- ding, too. If one gets a good buck, who marks his kids, they should keep him, and do all they can to get another of same stock and appear- ance. The test of all pure-blood animrds is the power to transmit its qualities to ils offspring. Most grade animols are better than their sires." 228 A Nczv Industry. Mr. H. B. ]\Iar shall, Austin, Texas, has only seen a very few goats that do not shed. Mr. B. F. LowTv, Camp San Saba, Texas, has also seen very fezv non-shedding goats. Col. \\'. \\'. Haupt, of. Kyle, 'j>xas, says, that up to the lime he disposed of his goats to 3tlr. W. E. Hughes, he had never observed that any of them retained their stubble after shearing He always supposed they all shed their fleece regularly. Hon. B. L. Crouch, Pearsall, Texas, says: "As to the Angora goats shedding iheir fleece my best bred goats shed their fleece ever_v spring if not sheared early, and it always seemed to me that those thriving most rapidly, shed first, though in this I may be slightly in error. But I also observed, that if there came rains in October sufficient to make new vegetation abundant, many of my goats would shed their fleeces partial in October and November, and for this reason I adopted the practice of shearing twice a year — in September and March." Mr. Geo. \\'. Baylor, ]\Iontell, Texas, says: "I have never observed any fur under the mohair. Plenty of goats do not shed in the spring. It is generally some goat whose hair is in good growing condition when shorn, and it keeps on growing. But it is better for them to shed in the spring. They sded sleek in Angora, in the spring, as soon as it gets warm, and the green feed comes. I think all kids shed their kid, or first hair. They are not born with mohair on them. It is rather a coarse hair, more resembling kemp. "I have not a hornless goat in mj- flocks. I rather think it a freak. In breeding, I first am sure of the pedigree, and then I pick for individ- ual merit." ]Mr. James ]\IcDonald, ^Morrison, Oregon, says : "I think condition governs the shedding of an animal. None of my kids ever shed their first hair." Mr. Geo. A. Houck, Eugene, Oregon, says: "I attribute shedding of goats at different periods in the season to the condition of the animal. As to goats not shedding at all, I have never observed such, but all of my good goafs sprout new mohair almost Breeding— Past Experience — Result of Crossing tJte Angora. 229 as soon as the old stubble sheds off. The kids all shed their kid hair with me. I have a tew nannies and wethers without horns, but I consider it a freak. These goats I bought from other breeders. My own goats all have horns." Mr. D. A. ^^'alke^, Carlton. Oregon, says : '"My opinion has been that if a goat is very lousy it will shed early. and if not, it will shed when it begins to thrive in the spring." Mr. Jas. "Wilder, Paskenta, Cal., says : "I had three bucks that were noi sheared last spring, ihai carried their i5eeces till the shearing in the falL" Mr. J. C. Highto^ver. Ruidosa, X. M., says: "I have observed that a number of my goats do not shed their hair c^fier they shed their first kid hair, and their first fleece of mohair groTvs on until they get to be two or three years old, and after they pass that age, they shed regularly every year. I have observed, too, that after they pass that age that some only shed over a portion of their body. Mr. Oscar Tom. Angora, Oregon, says : "I have never observ-ed an Angora goat that did not shed. Ji^or any- body ese. unless it was dead poor, and would die before the second year. Any healthy goat Avill shed in the spring the same as a horse." Mr. D. C. Taylor, Lake A'alley. X. M.. says : "T have about ^^'X* goats, and but a very few of them shed any." Dr. J. R. Siandley. Platte^ille, lovra, sa^-s : "I am quite positive about some Angoras not shedding, having ob- -er\-ed it often; also Mds that do not shed their £rst kid hair. I have seen some few goats that had a double coat, but the under one was kemp." Mr. J. C. Hightower, under date of May 3rd, 1900, writes as follows : "In the questions which I endeavored to answer for 3-ou last tail I believe I stated I had not observed any undergrowth of fine wool in the goats in this country. I wish to state now, that, since that time I have observed such a growth on one of my goats which came from CoL Richard Peters' flock in Atlanta. Ga. The animal is a buck ten years old 230 A Nczv Industry. and I send you a sample * of his fleece which you can see has two very distinct kinds of hair. The hair was plucked from him while he was shedding." In a subsequent letter, Mr. Hightower says : "The under-hair, as near as I can judge, developes in the winter. As to the outer-hair shedding I will say this spring is the first time the goat has shed. This year he shed off sleek and clean, the outer-coat as well as the under-coat." Mr. Jno. S. Harris, of Oakley, Idaho, writes me that when he was in Constantinople he saw a sample of mohair that was sent by Mr. W. M. Landrum to Mr. Jno. R. Thompson. The mohair had been grown in Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Lower Cal- ifornia, and was two years' growth. With reference to two distinct coats of hair, he says : ■'I never saw such a goat, but it is quite common for some to have more or less 'kemp' in the hair. Some years, a goat will have more, and another year it will have much less. It all depends on the condition of the goat, and the kind of season we I'ave. "After I came back from Angora to California, an old gentleman, that lived on the coast at Monterey, wrote to me that he wanted to exchange two hundred common goats for two high-graded Angora bucks, so I went to see him and his goats. I lived about seventy miles on the west side of the San Joaquin. When I looked at his goats, they were long-haired Mexican goats, and through curiosity I caught one and examined its hair, and it had an undercoating of fur like the Tarsus goats. I said to the man the only objection I had to his goats was thai they were long-haired. As the party I wanted to trade them to preferred short-haired Mexican goats, ss they were more suitable to cross with the Angora. He stated to me that when he first took a notion to get goats some fourteen years before, he went to the east side of the San *The sample of outer-hair, referred to by Mr. Hightower, is about twelve inches in length, and quite coarse; the under-hair is very line and about four inches i.. length, resembling fur at the base, and about one-half the diameter of the outer fleece at the extreme end. The hair is very straight and very much like Mal'^ese goat hair, but this is doubtless owing to the age of the animal' It was very thought- ful in Mr. Hightower to call attention to this matter, and it is quite evident that the animal is a descendant of the "Cashmere" goat. Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 231 Joaquin and bought him two hundred head of Mexican goats. The hair, at that time, of these goats was short, and every generation with him the hair was getting longer. He showed me hair he had clipped ofif his goats for the making of hair rope, that was eight inches long. Now, according to my opinion, it is climate that influences and controls every thing that lives, man or beast, trees and herbs, of every kind. What I mean by climate, is the air, water and the elements that are in the earth." Bearing upon this question, the following letter from Mr. John Kennedy, a prominent breeder of sheep and Polled-Angus cattle, in Menard County, Texas, will be of interest : "Deervale Ranch, Menard County, Texas. "Mr. Wm. L. Black: "Dear Sir — Referring to 'non-shedding' Angora goats, I have never observed such an animal that I know of, but I can see no good reason why such a type should not exist. We have, in our sheep family, a very great variety of wool-bearing animals, and I should think the same peculiarity would be entirely natural with the mohair goat. The Cheviot sheep, for instance, always sheds its fleece, and so does the Lincoln, and perhaps others that I have had no particular acquaintance with, but,, with the types I have mentioned, I have had more or less experience in Scotland, and I know it is natural for them to shed off their wool every spring, and it is the custom always to wait until the new wool begins to grow before shearing them. If they are not sheared the wool will peal off in flakes, and will very soon all disappear, and the new growth take its place. "With some varieties of sheep, this is not the case, as, for instance, the Merino, and the Shropshire, which will hold their wool from year to year, and, as above stated, I see no reason why there should not be a type of the same character in the Angora goat family. "I consider the matter a very important one, and shall watch the result of your experiments with great interest. "Yours truly, "JNO. KENNEDY." "HORNLESS ANGORAS." The hornless type is not so remarkable as they are known to exist in Turkey, yet are very rare, both in South Africa and this country. Mr. Schreiner says : 232 A Neiu Industry. "There are other varieties in the modern Angora, due, I believe, to the original Angora having been crossed w^ith other breeds. For instance, Conolly says: 'A curious statement made to us at Angora was, that only the white goats which have horns wear their fleece in the long, curly locks that are so much admired; those that are not horned having a comparatively close coat, I can not add anything to this statement, not having had the point suggested when I was farming goats, but Mr. Binns says it is devoid of fact. It may, however, be remembered that the female of Capra Aegagrus is occasionally hornless, though I cannot see that this has any bearing on the statement made to Conolly. It will be interesting if observant men engaged in the industry will notice if hornless goats (which, by the way, are very rare in this colony) have not, as a rule, the curled locks in so pronounced a degree as those that are horned. This peculiarity, if it does exist, may not, of course, be due to the influence of some cross; the variations may simply be collateral. Further, crossing has been so universal and has had such an overwhelm- ing effect that a variation which might have been pronounced in 1840 (the date of Conolly's paper), might be almost obliterated now, espec- ially in the Cape, where the Boer goat has exercised such a powerful and far-reaching influence." See Schreiner, p. 100. Br. Bachman says : . "In the northern provinces of China there are goats of a small size which yield wool as abundantly as the sheep of the same country. Ex- tending over the varied surface of Hindustan, the goats assume a prodigious diversity of color, aspect and form. Sometimes they have horns, and sometimes they are destitute of them; sometimes they have long, pendulous ears; sometimes they have a short fur, like that of a fawn, and sometimes fine, silky hair, falling in glossy ringlets on each side of the dorsal line. The largest of the goats of Hindustan are brought from Cabul, Thibet, and the highlands of Persia. The varieties in form, color, and quantities of pelage, under which these various breeds of goats are presented will account for the great difference in the figures of what are called Cashmere goats. The same may be said of the Thibet shawl, and the Angora goats. In a word, they are all of one species, but under many varieties; breeds have become permanent, and some are infinitely more valuable than others. Local names have attached to these various breeds, many of which are still confined to the herdsmen of the East. To the farmer, the possession of the most valuable breed of goats is of far more importance than the name by which it is designated." (See Agtl. Dept. Report, 1857, p. 58.) Mr. Diehl imported a hornless Castomboul buck in 1870, which was sold to Mr. Wm. M. Landrnm, who took it to Cali- fornia. Mr. Landrum writes me on this subject, as follows: o K) xi r> ■o ^ ^ H +j .d « 3 hom a) O « 00 « t-t Cl a 1 I-, ^ o T^ =1 XJ '7^ O^ rt ^ 11) o (i ^P o cS 03 ■a id it g 0) OtI *t t) _1I 't; tS *i c ;=J ^ an ^ •■' OJ « L-L_ d « od O O ^ ^ bl) O as«^'s 1 — >■ « o ^ .^\d j;. Q < Ll ^'lJ Q u^"^ ^^" m oo3| 'J , M a fe: 3 ■ d go ft CD 3 2^ cS ^« . o f/) ■^■?'^^ UJ —1 o bija; o O r isji^ ^ ^ © « ■gs^^ ^^ w^^S d- S/a W .,ij»y •A ^«B ■^ D H Oi O E-i d'ci Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 285 "I selected two bucks from the Diehl & Brown importation, one of which was the celebrated Castomboul hornless buck which sheared twenty pounds, but too coarse for any use but for making wigs. I bred him only one year, mostly to graded ewes." "In Fitzinger's Natural History (German), figures 212-315, there are four good views of the hirctis capra pillosa, the rough- haired domestic goat, the Cashmere, and the Thibetian, in which the Cashmere is represented with a black neck and white face, almost straight, round, pointed horns, long, coarse, white hair, tail six inches long; while the Thibetian goat is repre- sented with a long smooth neck, a shape-like head, hornless, short hair, with an immense udder, indicative of a sood milker rather than a fleece-bearing animal." (See Agtl. Dept. Report, 1863, p. 221.) Mr. S. S. McKibben, of Earlham, Madison County, Iowa, secured a hornless goat from a lot he had purchased in Texas, and, having a preference for polled stock of all kinds, he con- cluded to breed him to see if he would breed true to type. His first experiment was in the spring of 1898, with eight horned does, and the result was seven hornless kids, and one that had horns. Mr. McKibben writes me the following description of this animal, which he has name "Dewey," and whose pho- tograph is here given : "Earlham, Iowa, Sept. 10, 1899. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Fort McKavett, Texas: "Dear Sir — Referring to my hornless buck, 'Admiral Dewey,' he was dropped in the spring of 1898, and came to me with a lot of Angora goats that were shipped from Texas, in July of that year. I concluded not to sell him, as I had a preference for polled stock of all kinds, and was anxious to see if I could perpetuate the type. At the age of about eight months, 'Dewey' showed to be a very well developed animal, and was much larger and heavier-boned than any of the horned goats of the same age. In December of 1898, I bred him to eight horned does, and they dropped eight very finely developed kids, the May following, seven of which were hornless, and very much like 'Dewey' one had the same kind of (lop) ears like the does, the remainder having (fox) ears, like himself. "I herewith enclose you a photograph showing 'Dewey' and two of his kids. I shall breed, him in December to about seventy- five does/^ and feel quite confident the result will be equally as favorable as above stated. SS6 A Nezv Industry. "Referring to the general disposition of 'Dewey' I would state he is very gentle, and never shows the slightest inclination to fight, or buck, which is a common characteristic with the horned goat, often resulting in the breaking of a leg by hooking each other in play. "The hair of 'Dewey' is of a wavy character, very fine in fibre, and well distributed over the entire body. It grows to about the length of eight to ten inches. Dewey promises to be much larger than any goat I have ever seen, and I shall not be surprised if he should reach a weight of 175 pounds. Yours truly, "S. S. McKIBBEN." To my own mind, it is not surprising that these different types of Angora goats exist, for it has been the experience of all cross-breeding of domestic animals, in the past that, some new type has cropped out from time to time, which, when pre- served, and bred with care, has been developed into a distinct breed. Darwin says : "The many breeds of dogs and cattle may arise from more than one species, but probably those of horses and fowls; and, clearly those of rabbits, ducks and pigeons are each descended from a single species. In this respect the breeds of pigeons are of peculiar importance, since not only carrier and tumbler, runt and barb, pouter and fan-tail, but at least a score of varieties might be chosen which differ so thoroughly, internally, as well as externally, that an ornithologist treating them as wild birds would be compelled to grant them specific, and even distinct generic, rank. Yet, since all these have indisputably arisen from the wild rock dove {Columba livia) it is clear that naturalists, who admit a unity to such domestic races, which professed breeders have often laughed to scorn, should, in tin^n, be cautious before deriding the unity of wild ones. "How then have domestic races been produced? By external con- ditions, or habits, alone. One of their most remarkable features is, in exhibiting adaptation, not to their own good, but to man's use or fancy We know that all the breeds were not produced as perfect as we now see them, and the key is man's power of accumulative selection; nature gives successive variations, man adds them up, making for himself useful breeds. "Skilful breeders speak of the organization as plastic and under control, and have effected extensive modifications within our own gen- eration. Unconscious selection, which results from every one trying to possess and breed the best individuals, is even more important. This -237 S. S. McKIBBON. Showing one of his Hornless Kids, four montlis old, Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 239 accumulated change explains why we so often cannot recognize the wild parent stocks of our cultivated plants, while its absence in countries inhabited by uncivilized man, explains why these never yield plants worth immediate culture. Man's power of selection is facilitated by keep- ing large numbers, in which variations are more likely to occur. Facility in preventing crosses is also of importance, as of pigeons, contrasted with cats; some species are, however, less variable than others, e. g., the goose." He also says: "A race of cattle called 'Dutch buttockcd,' was formed in Yorkshire by selecting in each generation the animal with the largest hind quar- ters. When the breed began to be established, it was found that the large size of the calves' hind quarters increased the dangers of parturi- tion to a considerable extent. This case is interesting as showing that hurtful peculiarities may be inherited just as leadily as those which are beneficial, and, as bearing witness to the improbability of the view that there is an innate tendency to vary in the right direction." In his work on the "Orig-jn of the Species," this renowned naturalist says : "I have discussed the probable origin of domestic pigeons at some, though insufficient length, because, when I first kept pigeons, and watched the several kinds, well knowing how truly they breed, I felt fully as much difficulty in believing that since they had been domesticated they had all proceeded from a common parent, as any naturalist could in coming to a similar conclusion in regard to the many species of finches, or other groups of birds, in nature. "One circumstance has struck me much, namely, that nearly all the breeders of the various domestic animals, and the cultivators of plants, with v/hom I have conversed, or whose treatises I have read, are firmly convinced that the several breeds to which each has attended are de- scended from so many aboriginally distinct species. Ask, as I have asked, a celebrated raiser of Hereford cattle, whether his cattle might have not descended from long-horns, or both from a common parent stock, and he will laugh you to scorn. I have never met a pigeon, or poultry, or duck, or rabbit fancier, who was not fully convinced that each main breed was descended from a distinct species." (See "Origin of the Species," p. 2.3.) Bnt is quite unnecessary, I think, to dwell upon this, for it is known to all American and English breeders that most of our present line types of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, have Ijeen produced by selecting the finest specimens and breeding them separately. Some may have originated from so-called 2JfO A Nezv Industry. sports, or freaks ; but, is it not reasonable to believe that these sports or freaks, would not have been produced, if it had not been for the cross-breeding which had been followed before ? In the face of such convincing testimony as I have referred to, it is idle, in my opinion, for anyone to undertake to describe a "thoroughbred Angora goat" at this time. An animal with wavy hair, measuring six inches in length, and with fox-like ears, may have as much right to that proud title as one which has hair hanging in beautiful ringlets twelve or fifteen inches in length, with long pendant ears. The valuable American Merino sheep of today bears but little resemblance to the Spanish Merino which was improved by careful selection of the best types ; and, the French Ramboul- let owes its origin entirely to the same course of breeding. Mr. Henry Stewart, in his recently (1898) published 'work on "The Domestic Sheep," says : "Every existing breed of sheep has been differentiated from the wild race by human agency." (See Stewart, p. 239.) It is therefore quite possible to bring about the same result with the mohair goat, if the same caie is exercised in selecting and breeding. Mr. Bachman, in concluding his report on the "Davis" goats, says : "Since it possesses the characteristics of all the other domesticated animals, we have reason to believe, that, by judicious breeding and devot- ing to this subject the same attention that breeders in England bestow on their horses, cattle, sheep and swine, an equal number of improved varieties will be produced. We are, at present, unacquainted with any superior variety of goat, with which this might be crossed to improve the fineness of the wool. Improved individuals, however, spring up in these varieties themselves, without any foreign admixture; and, by select- ing these, and separating them from the common stock, we have at once a new breed, which soon becomes a permanent race. "Let us, in these matters, follow the teachings of Nature, in all her departments. How were the varieties of Sea Island cotton, or large rice, or prolific corn, wheat, etc., produced? A few stalks of these superior qualities were detected in the fields. Thus far it was the free gift of a beneficent Creator. Man, his agent, now sekcted and cultivated them separate from the others. Thus, a valuable variety was obtained Breeding — Past Experience— Result of Crossing the Angora. Sff.1 that may, by proper care, be perpetuated. In the 'Courier des Etats Unis,' we have a long and interesting account of a Merino sheep in France, which, instead of wool, produced fine silken hair. The breed was perpetuated, and goes under the name of 'Cashmere sheep.' "At the Universal Exhibition, in Paris, it was affirmed by the judges of one of the shawls made of this hair that 'they found this (as they named it) native Cashmere, as soft and as brilliant as the imported and that it was superior to the latter on account of its regularity of detail." (See Agtl. Dept. Report, 1857, p. 65.) WEIGHT OP CARCASS. Is an important feature that should not be lost sight of by the American breeder. The reports I have received upon this subject, which may be found in detail under the head of "Notes From Practical Breeders," indicate the weights of Angora goats as ranging from 75 pounds up to 175 pounds. It is manifestly to the best interest of the industry that as large an animal as possible should be propagated, and it is well that breeders should keep this in view, when it is possible to combine it without too large a sacrifice of the more important essential, a good class of combing mohair. In a letter from Mr. S. S. Brannin, of Marysville, Mont., he says : "There is no doubt but what they grow larger in the Northern country, than farther South, as my three-year-old muttons average ten to fifteen pounds more than in New Mexico, where I brought them from. I have also noticed an increase in quantity, and quality, of mohair. "I made a trip, last summer, through the western part of this State, for the purpose of learning what I could of the wild goat. We suc- ceeded in finding a good many, and killed one so as to more closely examine them, and I find they are a genuine goat in every particular. The great'^st difference from the domestic goat being in the head and face which is much longer and thinner. They are much larger, however, the bucks weighing as much as three hundred pounds. In color they are en- tirely white, and in winter they are covered with an immense coat of fine wool, with long, coarse hair on the neck, legs, and withers. The bucks have a long beard under the chin. Horns are black, and smaller than the domestic goat. Legs are short. Feet near the size of a yearling calf. They inhabit the high rocky ranges, their habits being exactly the same as that of the tame goat. 21^2 A Neiv Industry. "A person will have no trouble in locating their range as the country- is completely strewn with wool. I send you herewith a sample of this wool." It would, indeed, be interesting" to see what a cross from this wild species with an Angora goat would resuU in, and it is to be hoped that some of the breeders in Montana, or neighboring Territories, will endeavor to make this experiment. (See Ap- pendix for plate and particulars of the Rocky Mountain goat.) CHAPTER XIX. CROSS BREEDING, OR HOW TO GRADE UP THE ■'MEXICAN" GOAT. The "Mexican" goat consists of three very cHstinct varie- ties, which are mixed in color, the white predominating. As a rule, they are thin bodied, leggy, and have very much the shape of a Mexican sheep. One of the varieties has short, coarse hair, but bright and glossy. Another has short hair, which has a dead, "kempy" appearance ; and the third has long, straight hair, some- times five or six inches, and is undoubtedly a descendant of the Maltese. It is advisable always to avoid this latter kind, as they are hard to improve. Indeed, it is next to an impossibility to completely change their character. Many breeders, especially in the early day, have attempted it, doubtless attracted by their long hair, which, although coarse in fibre, is very pretty and glossy, and would seem to indicate a near relationship with the long-haired Angora, but they are no kin at all, and the fact of their having retained their individuality for several centuries, in Mexico, where they have been bred and interbred with the short- haired goat, is very strong evidence of their great strength of blood. Col. J. Wash. Watts, of South Carolina, appears to have had some experience with this kind of goat, he says : "I began with the milk goat; had two varieties — the long-haired 'Maltese,' and the short-haired 'South American.' About the year 1872 I came in possession of three 'Angoras,' one buck and two does, obtained from the Hon. D. Wyatt Aiken, our member of Congress, who got the buck from Col. Peters, of Georgia, and a splendid animal he was. The does were from the flock of the late Hon. W. H. Stiles, ex-Minister to Austria, who made an importation about the year 18G0. I bred the buck to my milk goats; the result was a beautifid lot of large, well- 21i.Jt. A Neiu Industry. formed half-breeds, showing no fleece. He was bred to his kids the next fall, which produced a pretty animal with considerable fleece, which grew to be about three inches in length. Those descended from the short- haired goat had a much more uniform fleece than those from the long- haired goat; and, some of those retained their long, straight hair through the fourth and fifth crosses." Col. Watts attributes the difficulty in improving the Mal- tese goat to the fact that, "it is easier to breed up a fleece than to change one," which is a very reasonable conclusion. MEXICAN DOE, WITH TWO ANGORA KIDS. Dr. Hayes calls attention to the experience of M. de la Tour de Aigues, president of the Royal Society of Agriculture of France, who, in 1787, introduced some hundreds of the Angora goats into Europe under care of Turkish shepherds, where they greatly prospered. He affirms that : "Even after the sixteenth generation the hair of the crosses, obtained by crossing the Angora buck with the female of the common goat, remained hair; and, although it was elongated, it could not be spun; Cross Breeding — Grading up the "Mexican" Goat. '2JfO and, although they procreate with our goats, we can never hope tc multiply them by crossing the races, because the vic-2 of the mother is never effaced. "If some individuals approach more or less the race of the sire, the hair will always be shorter, and too coarse to be worked." (See Hayes, p. 25.) At the time (1868) that Dr. Hayes pubhshed the first. edi- tion of his work on the "Angora Goat, Its Culture and Pro- ckicts," he was decidedly of the opinion it was not possible to cross the "Angora" upon any of the lower species of goats suc- cessfully. He was undoubtedly influenced in his judgment by the opinion of that eminent breeder of sheep, Dr. Randall, who always maintained that : "Base blood runs out rapidly by arithmetical calculation; but, prac- tically it stays in, and is ever and anon cropping out by exhibiting the old base characteristics, in a way that sets all calculations at defiance." He also referred to the illustrious naturalist, M. de Quatre- fages, who had recently discussed, in his lectures at the Museum d'Historie Naturelle, and in the Revue des Deux Mondes, the principles which govern the formation of races, thus: "There is one law in crossing which is constantly verified: each of the two authors tends to transmit to the products, at the same time, all its qualities, good or bad." (See Hayes, p. 21.) But this same high authority also says, and Dr. Hayes quoted it immediately following the above, but does not seem to have been at all influenced by the opinion that "When the power is equal in the two parents, the product will have an equal mixt'ure of the qualities of the parents; there will be a pre- dominance nf the qualities of one, where this power of transmissabilit'i is unequal. "The inequality of the power appears to be much greater when the races are nearest each other; for, sometimes, the crossing between such races gives a product which seems to belong entirely to one of the two." In a subsequent addition of his book (1882) he admits the error he had been led into, and frankly says : "The facts at my command in 1868, seemed to justify the adoption of the theory of pure breeding; but, theory must yield to inexorable facts. I, independently, came to the conclusion, in 1877, that 1 had pushed the 2Ji('> A Nczv Industry. theory too far, by the observation of a remarkable commercial fact: The Messrs. Bowes, in their statistics of wool in 1876, referring to the acclimation, in the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, of the Angora goat, and the production of mohair, say: 'The progress made during the last dozen years has been very satisfactory, not only as regards the quantity produced, but the quality, which has been very much improved. The first shipment was made in 1865, and consisted of 6,804 pounds; in 1869 two hundred and forty-five thousand pounds were shipped; and, in 1870, the quantity reached one million, two hundred and ninety-eight thousand, four hundred and fifty-five pounds.' "It was evident to me that this quantity, at four pounds of fleece to each, requiring over 300,000 head, could not have grown upon pure animals, as they could not have been procured in sufficient numbers; and, that it must have been the product of graded animals. "A conclusive test of the quality of the mohair thus produced, was the fact that it became a regular article of export, or a marketable pro- duct." (See Hayes, p. 50.) It was quite -reasonable for Dr. Hayes to have formed the opinion that he did, in 1868, after reading of the experience of Cross Breeding — Grading up the ''Mexican" Goat. 21^7 M. de la Tour cle Aigues. There had been Httle or no advance- ment made in the industry, either in South Africa or the United States, up to that time ; and, it was cjuite natural that he should have shared the opinion of those who had made the experiment in France. The only explanation that can be advanced for the failure of M. de la Tour de Aigues is that, the "Maltese" goat was the foundation upon which he was trying to build up his flock of grades. PLATE XII. THIRD CROSS CN THE MEXICAN GCAT BY A THOROUGHBRED ANGORA BUCK. .-V iliffereiK-e will be observed i'l the ears, while the tieeee is praetieally the same on all tlii-ee. The short-haired "Mexican," that presents a dead, "kempy" appearance is much more difficult to improve than the bright, "glossy" variety, a fact which will doubtless explain the great difference in time taken by, some raisers in this country to grade up their goats. It is quite common to hear of goats having been bred up to a condition of absolute freedom from .HS I \,,v' liuliislry. kcmp, Willi ll\r (IK-.M'S, wIllK' ollhl;. ll.l\r ll.lil (.1 lOlllfllil Willi .1 '.liiMk <>l rn.U'.t' li.in .iloii:' llir iiri k .iml Imi klmiir, m mi I 111' Ikliik'. ,11 111 liiuil i|ii.ii U-i :., Ii >i .!•. ui.iiu .1:. Uii 1 1 1 1'.r.r-., w il luMlt twtii lluii Imiu;' .il>lr 1.1 >'iiliirl\ uiuovi' il, wliuli is. 111 .ill pi I ili.iliilil \ , ilur ii> llu- II,'. i- t>l llu' ill'. hi, "ki'iiipN " \,iiirlv. Ill '..'111 I Hi!' I. 111. ill':, Il 1'. Will 111 ii'ii'il .ill poiuh sli.ipnl ,1111111, il,'., .iiiil v'liiU'.u 1 11 (0 >,;i'l .1:, kiij'.i' .uul .ir. iiiiiliMiii .1 li>l .IS possible, l'l..\'l'lil Ml, FOURTH CROSS ON Ttll' Ml \ir>\N r,0.<\T I^Y A THOKXUIUHIARI-^P ANUOR,'\ PUCK, '0\\»> xtuwt' illlViU'oiiiH- will liii ivli«orv(nl \\\ tl>t> cnw i>l' lUiwii tuvln>i\U im i,l\n\vi\ \\\ {\\\\ H\lvtl o\'»Sh, C\>K>r i.s not iiu|>im i.iul .ir, .i M.uk iku' will piiuliui' .1 wliilr kill Willi .IS mill 11 iv'll.lUllN ,1', .1 willli' iMlv' will, pii'NliK'il llu" \iim>i.i I'lu k has Lk-cii .Miltuu-ullv uupu'vi^l lo 1h- pu'pou-iii. Till' ^.v'K'v iiiMi i>l .1 siu- IS, lUiK'v'il. llu- kv'\ ii> llu- wIikIo .sil- M,Hli)|l 11 ,1 l>i>iM iMli- 1-, i'llll>li>\ Til, llllPl i>\ I'llU'lll will lu- ;-loW' ('ro.S'i lili'i'ilnty ', I ltd my u /> llir " Mc.lii till" '.mil "li'.l .iimI liK'fioojf, aij'i if ,'i. ^'^O'l OIJ'' JfS iist'.'l, lie- ' li.ioi'/ m l|j<' rharactt'i' of the o/iimon i';o;i( v/ill Ic i/i;)i v< I'yu'.ly );i)/)'l. Col, Jii<-|)ar'l f'etiirs states ; "i}\\f, f)\ Ux; nfosl vaiiiahle, interesthig an4 r«))/;fil nmch of th« niohair imported from Asia Minor, The fifth cross can be readily ucks vary grejitly, and the upw-'od progress is by no njeans satisfado) y." (\-,n- H.-jyi^s, p./) I.) The ii'y\i\ " j u.lt hlunil," in of Ain'Tiran origin; as ii\>\)\\e(\ to goat»; at least, Jt is connnonly used by ouiny l>reeders at the present fimf, and I aio not sure but it is a )\i\u\\ innve. appropriate term iIj;iij "pwc-hrt'il," for it is yttvy doubtful if there is one absolutely pure-bred Augom goat in the world, i» the strict sense of the term, owing' to the comnion custom of cross-breeding that has been practiced in Ttu'key, Soufh Africa, and our own coinitry for the past fifty years. There is no doubt that, when the ter>n was first l)rought into use (aljout I870j, it was for the purpose of leading ig/iorant buyers to believe (hat such animals possessed all the qualities ol a "pur«-bfed," or "thoroughbred," The three ternis l>eing synonyj))ous made the. practice a species of decep- tion, lK>r'lering closely on lo frau'l,and it is, no doul)t, responsible for the failiu'e th,'it ;itt<-n^j(/l the efforts of \ii'.iMy of our early breeders, lint there is no reason why fb'ie hhoul'J not be a great many Angora goats in the United States now that Ijave l>een bred up to a condition of purity, from slujrt-haired does, equal to any 'animal that can be iujported from abro-'id, 'lb'- most essential f';i(ur<- in a buck is that of being able lo transmit a strong mohair-producing quality, in the fewest number of crosses; and, with all due respect to those who hold that, "base bloo'l runs out rapidly, by arith- metical calculation, etc.," I f^el u<, hesitation m ^ayin^ we have 250 A Nnv Industry. many cross-bred bucks in the United States today that are super- ior to many of the so-called "pure-breds," not alone in the power of procreation, but in excellence of fleece as well. If, as has been clearly proven by the experience we have had in breeding this animal, the coarse, short hair on a common goat ran be transposed into a complete covering of mohair, without the slightest existence of any of the original hair, commonly called "kemp,'' I cannot well understand how it is possible for any of the original base blood to remain in the animal. I am certainly supported in this opinion by the illustrious naturalist, M. de Ouatrefages, quoted by Dr. Hayes, who says : "When the power of transmissibility is equal in two parents, the produce will have an equal mixture of the qualities of both; but, where one predominates in certain ciualities over the other, the ppwer of trans- missibility will be unequal. 'The inequality of the power of transmissibility appears to be much greater when the races are nearest each other, for sometimes the cross- ing between such races gives a product which seems to belong entirely to one of the two." (Hayes, p. 22.) If any evidence of "kciup'^ can be found on the animal it is, in my judgment, an indication of impurity and such a sire should be rejected; but, as before stated, if he is covered all over with nothing but mohair, there is as much certainty of such a sire begetting his like as there would be if he could trace his lineage to the original sire of the Angora race. I am aware of the fact that in making this statement I set at defiance the opinion of many of our old and able breeders who take a different view of it — as for instance. Col. J- A\ ash. Watts of South Carolina, who says : "I would not breed from a graded male at all if I wished to attain perfection." (See Hayes, p. OG.) And Col. Richard Peters' opinion was : "It is a fact that, no breeder, however experienced he may be in raising the Angora, can, by his eye, select a so-called full-blood from a flock of thoroughbreds, but the get of the full-blood buck will, invariably, enable any intelligent shepherd to detect the fraud upon the thorough- bred." (See Hayes, p. 96.) 251 M g to a .3 .'i y 13 CO ?^"& >-. o 3-? si ■=1 o s H 5 <: «5jS-p eS ^ ?^ n " K '*» So S'^ >- cl) !>< H H ID ^ tl Breeding — Past Experience — Result of Crossing the Angora. 253 But, I would remind the reader that, nearly twenty years have elapsed since the eminent authorities referred to, expressed these opinions, and that it is not unreasonable to believe there has been great changes made in the character of the "full-blood" during this long period of time. Referring- to Turkey, Mr. George Gatherall, of Constanti- nople, says : PLATE XV. 'FULL-BLOOD" YEARLING ANGORA BUCKS. Showing different kinds of ears. "It has been, and still is, the custom to cross the black, or brown, or, white, straight-haired goat with the mohair goat, to give the latter a stronger physique, the fifth cross being considered thoroughbred." (See Schreiner, p. 82.) And M. Boulier says the same thing: "Purity is regained after in-breeding to five generations, and thus describes the effects of crossing, and the gradual elimination of the inferior qualities of the Kurd goat in the successive generations: 251}. A Neiv Industry. "1. The cross of a black female with a white buck will present a fleece marbled with a yellow color upon an impure white foundation. The flanks, the shoulders, and the head, will preserve more particularly the marks of the color of the mother, the fineness of the fleece will be sensibly ameliorated. "2. The cross of this first product with a white buck will cause all the dark tints to disappear; the fleece will become white; the shoulders and flanks will be covered with wavy ringlets; but the whole line of the back and the forehead will remain furnished with coarse, straight hairs. "3. On coupling this new cross, alwa3'S with a buck of the pure race, we shall obtain a greater fineness in the long ringlets of the flanks and shoulders; the dorso-lumbar portion of the vertebral column will no longer retain coarse hairs, which will remain, still, on the upper part of the neck and forehead. "4. A fourth cross, carried on with the same precautions as before, will fix a stamp of purity on the product; the coarse hairs will have dis- appeared on the forehead and neck. "5. The consecutive crossings will render more stable the modifi- cations already formed, and already, after the fifth generation, the indi- viduals will be able to reproduce as if they were pure blood." (See Schreiner, pp. 76-77.) Referring to the power of a graded Angora to transmit the mohair characteristic, Col. W. W. Haupt expresses his opin- ion in the following very logical manner : .,;. "That the law of astavism applies to cross-breeds is not doubted. But, if in two species of animals, of inter-breeding relations, you could find in one of them a trait or feature, which the other did not possess, nor ever d/J, then the cross-breed, from these two species, could only inherit this feature from the parent which did possess it, and none whatever from the parent which did not. Let the mohair of the Angora represent this feature, aiid the common goat, which we will assume to be the mother in this case, to represent the deficient side. Then, if it can be shown that such a feature can be found in animals of the same species, and that the cross-breed can not inherit any portion of it from the dam's side, and that mohair will not cross with the hair of the dam, don't this solve the question that hair, and mohair, are dissimilar, and that, the cross-breed cannot breed back toward the dam's side, through his progeny, any portion of a feature, none of which he obtained from his dam, though he will do so in any other feature common to both, as color, form, etc.? And so, in point of mohair, he can impart only that which he obtained pure, and unmixed, from his sire. It has been fully shown elsewhere, that, whilst the finest bred sheep will cross its fibres with a coarse, hairy sheep, and produce a medium wool in the offspring, Cross Breeding — Grading up the ''Mexican" Goat. 255 that mohair will not cross with the hair of the common goat, or the long hair of the Maltese goat, showing the two fibres to be unlike, and that mohair is implanted in the offspring to the eviction of the hair, and through no influence of the dam; and that the mohair, on the first cross, is short and fine, proving there 's no cross of the mohair with the hair, as is shown in the fibres of the sheep. If these premises and conclusions are correct, then it further follows that a cross-bred or grade buck will impart an amount of mohair to his offspring in the ratio of his grade to a pure-breed; that is, a sixth cross or sixty-three sixty- fourth grade will impart to his offspring all the mohair a pure-blood would, less the one-sixty-fourth part he lacked of being ptu^e, and that what mohair he produces in his offspring, though it would be in less quantity, would be equally fine, as from a pure-blood, crossed on the same dam. Whilst to other features in the offspring of this sixth cross, they would be imparted in proportion as he received them from both of his parents. And, continuing on this line, would further say that, in a high-grade, the fraction of common blood is so very small in a twelfth cross, for instance, being only one in 4,096 parts, that, as elsewhere stated, they became the equal, or in fact, pure-bloods, to all purposes of mohair." (Southern Farmer, 1889.) And I can point to the eminent breeder, Dr. Robt. W. Scott, of Kentucky, who, when asked the question "Will high- grade bucks known as ''full-bloods," :. e., those of the fifth cross and upwards, produce this wool when bred to native females, similarly as with pure-bred or thoroughbred bucks? said: "This question has been affirmatively settled by the experience of every breeder of Angora goats in the United States, so far as I have ever known or heard; yet, while similar, yet not so perfectly as the pure-bred males, the fleeces which are produced by the full-blood bucks being more subject to long and coarse hairs in them than those which are pure-bred bucks." (Extract from Atlanta, Ga., Constitution.) After referring to a few breeders who were opposed to the use of full-blood bucks, one of whom was a Texas grower, who stated that "he would not buy a goat if he knew it was a grade, and knew it had fifteen crosses in it." (Dr. Hayes very char- itably omitted the gentleman's name.) Dr. Hayes says : "Let me caution the reader against pushing the . rgument, contained in the preceding paragraphs, too far, as I did myself in my original essay. I am now convinced that after a provision of a certain supply of thoroughbred bucks, the most effectual and profitable means of advanc- ing the Angora culture is through a proper use of graded animals." (See Hayes, p. 97.) 256 A Nczv Industry. It is not surprising that the early breeders should have dreaded the "full-blood" for, I am well convinced, they were totally unfitted to be used as sires in many cases ; but there is cer- tainly no comparison between the goats of 1870-1880, and those of 1900. A greater number of breeders are now engaged in the industry and greater care has been exercised in improving the character of the animal, why then should we not have approached closer to purity? It is, perhaps, proper that I should make myself more fully understood with reference to the use of bucks that show "kemp." As has been shown by the testimony of several authorities, this feature is gradually removed by proper breeding with males that do not possess any kcmp and it ought to be entirely eliminated by the fifth crossing — which, however, applies to "kemp" that usually shows on the neck, or backbone, the shoulders and flanks. But there is another kind of hair which is called "kcmp" by many, and is referred to by Dr. Scott in the description that he gives of a purc-hrcd Angora, Viz: "Like some furred animals these goats wear two distinct and dif- ferent suits of clothing", and mainly at different seasons. One is short, stiff, coarse, and of no commercial value; the other is long, in proportion to the degree of blood, and is lustrous, soft, silky and elastic." (Sec Hayes, p. 64.) It does not necessarilly follow that such goats as these are impure, and while I dotibt very much if there are any such animals in the United States at the present time (Dr. Scott wrote the above description about 1881 or 1882), if any should exist and a breeder of reputation can give asstu'ance that the animal had been bred true to his type for a long time, the mere presence of this undercoating of coarse hair is in no way detrimental to the animal as the hair is so short as not to mix with the mohair when the animal is shorn. And while I agree perfectly with all Col. Haupt has said, with reference to the power of a graded goat to impress his progeny with as much of the mohair qualities as he possesses, my conviction is that any animal should be rejected as a sire that shows coarse, "kcnipy" hair on the neck or mane, the back- 1 o %^ I Q «-2 1 < - s ? cr op, O t?i? o 0" z yp <: "^s : Q i O : o m Cross Breeding — Grading up the "Mexican' Goat. 259 bone or flanks. There are plenty of goats that can be had that are totally free from these objections,, and it is always safer to select animals that 'do not show them. The fleece of a breeding sire should be well distributed over the whole of the body, on the chest, and belly. The greater the weight, of course, the more rapidly will the mohair seed be implanted in the hide of the common goat. The character of the fleece whether wav}- or in ringlets, creamy or white, is altogether a matter of fancy. Weight of fleece, com- bined wdth fineness, lustre, and length of fiber, are the chief essentials. The most salable length is six inches and above, which is known in the trade as ''combing mohair." The character of horns is not material ; or, the tuft on the forehead. The latter is very pretty, and is an undoubted evi- dence of great purity of the mohair blood, yet we have many equally fine animals that do not show such a growth. The size of carcass I think is a feature nearl}^ as important as fleece, and should not be overlooked. A big frame is certainly more capable of producing a larger amount of mohair than a small one; and it should, therefore, be the aim to breed up the carcass at the same time as the fleece. A breeder should never loose sight of the fact that it may sooner or later become necessary to curtail the production of mohair, and if he has large bodied animals he can realize more for the meat and pelt than if they were small. In-breeding is admitted to be a wrong principle except in cases \vhere one is endeavoring to fix a certain type ; but it does not appear to operate very injuriously with goats, and has been recommended by some breeders — at least to a limited extent. I think all authorities agree it is best to avoid it where it is possible ; and, particularly, if you are aiming for a large, strong constitution. Style of ear is also a matter of taste. Those that hang down, called lop-ears, or semi-lop-ears, are generally preferred, though I would not condemn an animal that had the smaller fox-ears, provided he had other good qualities ; and, his progeny are just as likely to have the lop-ear as not, provided the dam has such ears. 260 A Nczv Industry. The shearing capacity of the various grades depends entirely upon the character of the sire and the class of does used. Always bear in mind that the glossy, short-haired type of doe with the heaviest shearing sire obtainable, will yield the best results. The cost of a buck ought not to influence a breeder when he finds what he wants. Breeders in South Africa have paid as high as i450, sterling, or $2,250.00 of our money, for a single animal ; and, when it is considered that the male is the creator of the flock, it stands to reason that his cost is very soon re- turned, provided he has the proper qualifications to breed up the flock quickly. It is a very common error of new beginners to buy cheap bucks, sometimes as low as $10.00, which they think ought to be enough, but the breeders of fine stock cannot afford to worry with this class of animal unless they are paid properly for the trouble involved. Very good bucks ought to be had for $25.00 each, shearing say six pounds, yet I consider an animal with extraordinary good points, shearing ten pounds to twelve pounds, is cheaper at $100.00 than an ordinary one would be at $25.00. Wattles will sometimes appear on graded Angoras, though T have never observed them on a very highly graded one. They are a little sack, like a teat, that hangs under the chin, and may be removed without any danger or injury to the animal. It is not uncommon for the shearers to clip them off when shearing the fleece. Beard is common in both the buck and doe, but is greatest in the former. There are some instances where the goat has had no beard at all. I have never observed such an ani- mal myself, though I have noticed that the higher grades are inclined to grow a smaller amount of beard in both sexes and I have no doubt that it could be easily bred off altogether if it was deemed advisable. o S .3 CD Q"^ O ^^ CHAPTER XX. PROPER TERMS B^OR ANGORA GOATS. It was very common at one time, and is, to some extent in the present day, to apply the term "billy," and "nanny," to dis- tinguish the male goat from the female, but, in later years, some writers use the terms ram and ewe; others buck and ewe, while a few will refer to them as buck and doe. The term kid seems to have been applied to the young from the very earliest period of which we have any record. Even in the days of the Patriarchs, Rebekah said unto Jacob : *"Go now, to the flock, and fetch me from thence, two good kids, of the goats, and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he lik^s." * * * See Genesis xxvii, 9. The term "Billy," or "Nanny," is no where to be found in the Bible, although frequent reference is made to this class of stock, which appears to have been very highly prized by the ancients, and were considered quite the equal of the ox and the sheep, as food. (See Duet, xiv., 4). Indeed, they must have been regarded with greater favor ; for, we find, in Leviticus iii, 12, that Moses said unto the children of Israel, * * * "and if his offering be a goat then he shall offer it before the Lord. * * * Again, in Numbers xv, 27, He says : "* * * And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat, of the first year, for a sin cfifering. * * *" It will be observed that Moses does not refer to the female goat as a "Nanny" goat ; and in another passage of scripture we find in the book of Ezra vi., 17 verse : 26Jf A Nciv Industry. "* =•' * And offered at the dedication of this house of God, an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and, for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. * * *" Solomon refers to the boldness and strength of the goat, in Proverbs xxx, 29 to 31, as follows : "* * * There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion, which is strongest among beasts, and turneth noc away from any; a grey hound; an he goat, also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. * * *" This doubtless gave rise to the opinion that the goat is good on the defensive, when attacked by dogs or wild animals. The prophet, Ezekial, in chapter xxxiv, 17, speaks of "* '*' * rams, and he gcats." ..And in chapter xxxix, 18, he says: "* * * Ye shall eat the flesh of * * * rams, of lambs, of goats, id of bullocks. * * *" And I might qtiote a number of other references to goats, in both the Old and New Testament, but I would fail to find any mention of a "nanny" or "billy" goat. From the quotations I have made it will be seen that the term "ram" and "lamb," as now applied to sheep, are of very ancient origin ; as are also " ox" and "bullock," which are still applied to cattle. But there seems to have been no other distinguishing terms for goats tha.n"hc-goat," "she-goat" and" kid."' These are quite forcible enough, it is true, and are easily un- derstood ; but, the more modern languages seem to call for sepa- rate, and distinct, terms in speaking of the sex in our different kinds of live-stock, as for instance : Bull, cow and calf for cattle ; ram, ewe and lamb for sheep ; boar, sow and pig for hogs, etc. ; and, with all due respect to our ancient brethren I think these are an improvement on the custom they seem to have adopted for goats, for it would certainly sound very peculiar if we were to speak of he-cattle, and she-cattle ; he-sheep, and she-sheep ; he- hog, and she-hog, which, however, would be quite as proper as "he-goat," and "she goat." Proper Terms for Angora Goats. 265 Dr. Hayes, in his work on the Angora goat, in 1883, con- sidered the term "buck'' and "cztr" most appropriate. Air. Schreiner, in his more recent work, (1898) does not seem to have made any special reference to this question and in- variably uses the terms ^'raiii," and "cive;" and, sometimes, "An- gora ram,"' or "Angora czve," as does also Mr. Binns, an eminent Turkish authority, frequently quoted from by Mr. Schriener. The distinguished French traveler, M. Bonlier, quoted both by Dr. Hayes and Mr. Schreiner, speaks of them as "bucks" and "female goats." Col. Scott of Kentucky, and Col. Peters of Georgia, appear to have adopted the terms "buck" and "ewe;" and, with the ordinary writer, it is common to use any of the terms I have mentioned. This is certainly confusing, as will be seen by reading over a passage in Mr. Schreiner's work, refer- ring to the pIeiu"o-pneumonia epidemic in Cape Colony. He re- fers to : "Several of Mr. Evans' rams which had so far been healthy, con- tracted the disease and died." It is left for the reader to decide whether this is intended to mean ram-shcep or ram-goats, as I believe Mr. Evans was a breed- er of both. And it is not unlikely that, the absence of a distinct term for g"oats may sooner or later give rise to much trouble in law suits, and it would therefore be well to decide upon a proper term as early as possible. My personal opinion is that, "buck," "doe," and "kid" would be the most appropriate terms which I think are not ap- plied to any other class of domestic stock, except the rabbit, and deer. I prefer these terms, too, because they are applied to deer. There is certainlv a greater similarity in the meat of the An- gora goat to venison, than to the common "billy" and "nanny- goat;" which, when generally known by all lovers of good eat- ing, Avill have a tendency to remove much of the prejudice that many people have heretofore entertained for the flesh of this valuable animal. Wether, for the castrated male, will answer every pur- pose, to distinguish animals intended for slaughter. 266 A Nezv Industry. Venison would seem to be the more proper term to apply to the meat of the Angora, as it approaches the flavor of deer meat (when naturally fed) more closely than any other ; and, it would seem, we have Biblical authority for so calling it, as will appear from the following quotation : "And Rebekah spake unto Jacob, her son, saying: Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau, thy brother, saying: Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat and bless thee before the Lord, be- fore my death. Now, therefore, my son, obey my voice, according to that which I command. Go now to the tlock and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth." (Genesis, xxvii; 0-9. ) Incidcnlal, or By-Prodncts of the Angora Goat. ^/p The quilt I have referred to was made entirely at home, and was arranged like patch-work, some square, others diamond- shaped, with a few black and yellow skins intermixed with pearly white, which gave it a very rich appearance. 'J'he process for tanning, or dressing, the goat skin is very simjjlc and when they arc put in this condition, can be kept in- definitely. (See "Formula for Dressing Angora Skins" in ap- pendix. j Natural shaped skins are preferred by a great many house- keepers for rugs, but only the higher grades can be used in this form. The lower, grades often show short, or coarse, hair, along the line of the back-bone, which presents an uneven ap- pearance, when the rug is placed on the floor. The skin should be covered evenly to make an attractive rug. The lower grades can be better made into shapes for the hearth, or for buggy robes, which is done by cutting the skins into uniform pieces, and placing them together, so that the hair will over-lap, as it does on the animal. Saddle pockets are often covered with a piece of Angora skin to shed the rain, and are very popular with cow-boys. Indeed, a cow-boy thinks his saddle is not fully "rigged" unless it has this appendage. The hair, in this case, is usually dyed black, or brown, to 'avoid showing dirt, but many use them in their natural color. Muffs for children are quickly made, as well as boas for the neck, or a cape for the shoulders. Lace trimming I?, another product of the skin which is very commonly used for trimming children's cloaks. This should be made from a yearling goat skin, as these are much thinner than the older ones, and more easy to sew. The trimming is made in narrow strips from one-quarter up to one inch in width, and is sold by the yard. Lamp mats, for the table, can be made out of the smaller pieces, so that very little of the skin need be wasted. The fleece can be worked into many useful articles on the farm or ranche, and, when a flock is being graded up it will pay best to make use of a small clip in this way rather than ship it to market, as there are always more or less kempy hairs scattered 28o A New Industry. through low grades, which is objectionable to manufacturers of cloth. I know one industrious lady, in Texas, who works up her entire clip from a flock of about three hundred head of goats in making cinches or saddle girths, which she sells readily for $6.00 per dozen. Any child, of ordinary intelligence, can soon learn to twist the mohair into cords of the proper thickness and weave them into the large iron buckles at either end (a pattern can be had from any saddlery or harness maker.) They are quickly and easily made and are considered superior to any other kind for the reason that they do not get hard and stiff after being used. Besides the saddle girth, a coarse saddle-blanket can be woven and yarn can be made for knitting socks, making blankets, and cloth for home use. The stufif is very durable, and, although home- made goods are not always so attractive to the eye as machine- made, the satisfaction of having them zvear zvcll, compensates largely for looks, and finish. In Dr. Davis' letter to the U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture in 1853, he makes reference to the fact that, "he had worn socks six years, made from Angora goat hair, and they were still per- fectly sound." There is practically no wearing out mohair goods, and, a pair of pantaloons, or a dress, made from it will last as long as you care to wear them. The lady referred to above is, of the old school ; she has her spinning wheel, and makes her own yarn ; and has a home-made loom for weaving cloth. She and her children make the girths at odd times during the year, and she has often told me that her small flock of Angora goats were of more practical value to her than any other class of stock she had, as they cost little or nothing to keep, and furnished meat and clothing for the entire family, besides a considerable sum of money from the sale of saddle-girths. Pets. I would not recommend making a pet out of a kid. although it is very cute, and can be taught nearly everything but to talk. They seem to possess more intelligence than many other animals, but are inclined to become very mischievous in the house when they get to be a few months old and it is hard to control the little rascals. I would not advise you to take one from the flock. They will follow, like a dog, and come at the call of their name. It is quite common for Mexican herders to Incidental, or By-Products of the Angora Goat. 281 iiave one or more of these pets, which they call "Sancho ;" and it is quite amusing to see the little fellows run out of a large flock when they hear their names called. Their cry is much like that of an infant, and, I have no doubt that this has given rise to the Americanism ''Kid," so commonly applied, at the present time, to nearly all American children. They can be made very useful, however, if well-trained, in drawing small wagons, and, in many parts of the world, are largely used for this purpose. In his paper on "The Goat," the Hon. Israel H. Diehl says : "They are not infrequently harnessed to «mall wagons or carts, for marketing or pleasure purposes, or made to pack small loads, as beasts of burden. Their use and importance have thus become valuable, and in- dispensable over large portions of Europe and Asia." (See Agtl. Dept. Report, 1863.) It is quite common to see trained goats at any of our large city parks, but, as a general thing, they are of the common species. I am very sure that a considerable profit can be real- ized by the sale of trained Angora wethers, owing to their more attractive appearance. They are often trained to lead sheep into cars when being loaded for market ; and, from the stock pens, to the large slaugh- tering houses. A notable animal of this kind, called "Judas Iscariot," has very recently died, after many years of useful service, in Chicago. Milking qualities. The milk of the Angora goat is of super- ior quality though they do not yield as much as some of the common varieties. The Spanish or Mexican goat is, however, a very good milker, and many of the Angoras that have been crossed with this breed make excellent milkers. In the report of Mr. Diehl, above referred to, he says : "The 'Scinde,' the 'Maltese,' the 'Assyrian,' the 'Syrian,' the 'Swiss,' and other varieties, especially in Europe, have become most valuable milkers; and, for convenience and economy to the poor, or where feed is high and pasturage scarce, it has, in many places and instances, sup- planted the cow, as it is kept about the house almost anywhere. Espec- ially about towns and villages and cities, where there are so many vacant lots and commons, where they can browse on the coarsest of food and herbage, or that which is left, or refused, by the horse, cow or sheep, is this the case. 282 . A Ne%v Industry. "The goat, in fact, is an indiscriminate feeder, cropping even pois- ccnous plants with entire impunity and rehsh, as there are, comparatively lew plants or weeds that are either injurious or poisonous to it, and no herbage, leaves or grasses, seem to affect the quality of its milk, only, rather to give it ffavor; and, in traveling through Asia, Africa and parts of Europe, it is quite common to have the goat brought to the door, tent, or camp, and milked for our use in our presence, whenever milk was required, giving us the assurance that the milk was. genuine as that of goats. It is much used both by travellers, and families, and especially by the inhabitants of the tropical, low, marshy, bilious and fever countries, as a preventative and cure for those, and other diseases, inci- dent to such countries. The medicinal qualities of goat's milk has long been known and acknowledged, especially in the old world, and in some portions of this country, it being not only very wholesome, but less liable to curdle on the stomach; and, by those who have tested the different kinds of milk, it is much esteemed, and preferred for tea and cofice, and is largely used for children's use, the making of whey, and the various medicinal drinks for invalids, especially at the various hospitals, watering- places, and institutions of Europe, and a few of our own, where it has been duly appreciated. It is also said to be highly beneficial to con- sumptives, dyspeptics, and other like invalids. "Still, an undue, and unnatural, prejudice has, and .does, exist in the minds of many people of this country against, both the animal and the use of its milk, but without any good reason. "Vaulable varieties of the Asiatic goat have been largely introduced into Europe, where they are quite extensively raised, and used for milk, from which butter, cheese and whey are made, to a considerable extent. "But, notwithstanding, varieties of these goats have been imported into the United States by emigrants, and people of this country for their own use, the animals have been subsequently neglected, mainly on account of the cheapness of cows, and the easy facilities of pasturing them upon the extensive public domains, theap pasture lands or commons. "But,, as the land has - become occupied, and more valuable, the expense of purchasing, a,nd keeping cows has increased, and the value of butter, milk and cheese is enhanced by the enlarged demand, .the atten- tion of thousands of our people, especially pf the poor, , and . laboring classes, has been turned to the breeding, and keeping, of goats;, their milking qualities have been igreatly improved and their value so increased that we have recently seen common milking- goats bought and sold at the price of an ordinary cow, a few years ago, namely, from $10.00 to $25.00, and any ordinary milking goat is valued at $8.00 to $10.00. (I would state that upon one of my trips to the State of Iowa with a lot of breeding goats, I met an Italian who was surprised that we did not make use of goats' milk- in Texas. He was then living near Chicago, and told me he had paid $10.00 each for a lot of does from which he made a good profit in making cheese at 25 cents per pound, and could IncidcntaU or By-Prodiictsof the Angora Goat. ' ' 28^ not supply the demand for it. Cows are. so abundant in- Texas it is not surprising that goats are not used for milking purposes,, but it is a fact that, in Mexico, the goat's milk is preferred above that of the cow, and the Mexican herders employed on our Texas ranches will go to great trouble to get milk from a goat if it is to be had at all, rather than use cow's milk.) "Mo.st of the milkers give from two to three quarts per day, especially if well fed, tethered, and milked tliree times a day. "General J. S. Goe, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, ri*ports- an Assyr- ian goat in his possession, milking a .gallon per day, after' the weaning of its kid. A similar goat, now in possession of the writer, is reported to have yielded twenty dollars' worth of milk during the season, after selling two kids at $8.00, each. The milk was mainly sold to physicians for patients, at ten and twelve cents per quart. A number of the famed ^Maltese milkers, which we examined, we were assured, yielded nearly the same results, and we, have obtained ten cents per quart for some from our Maltese. and Cashmere grades, for medicinal "purposes. ' Thus, around the suburbs of our large cities, in many of the smaller towns, in our coal and mineral regions, and along many of our public works, great quantities' of the common goat can be seen in use, while their value is being materially enhanced by more attention to good breeding and val- uable crosses. Among the most valuable milkers we have, the 'Maltese,' the 'Swiss,' the 'Assyrian,' the 'Syrian,' the 'Scinde,' the 'Spanish,' and the 'Welsh' goats. "Under many circumstances, the goat is found more valuable than either sheep or swine, as goats will live and thrive where they would starve; yielding milk, wool, kids,, mutton and skins. A good goat will yield milk nearly all the year, or within a few weeks of parturition, if fed and cared for. The kids should be allowed to suck two weeks, and then sold, especially the buck kids. : The goat should then yield a quart of milk at each milking, or meal, thred times a day,'say at 7 a. m., at noon at 7 or 8 p. m. About three months, oubsequent to parturition the supply of milk falls ofif to about. two quarts daily, and continues so until within about three pionths of the next kidding, when it falls off to about one quart a day. The goat should be milked three times daily, in consequence of the want of capacity of her udder, for, when the udder becomes charged vvitli milk, the goat lies down, ceases feeding, and no further secretion of milk takes place; but, relieve her by milking, and she again proceeds to feeding, and secretes a fresh supply of milk, far more nutri- tious, and nourishing, and easier of digestion than that of the cow. It is not generally known that a goat tethered: to a certain spot will yield more milk than when permitted to roam at large, without restraint,' but such is, nevertheless, the fact. The tether should be attached to a long pin driven in the ground, fui-ni'shed with a swivel, in order that entanglemfent may be avoided, a'nd shifted where a fresh v supply of herbage may be obtained. 2S4 A Nciv Industry. "As goats are often disposed to be mischievous, and trespass upon forbidden property, either by climbing or creeping, a yoke may be made consisting of three pieces of wood, put over the goat's neck, and fastened there in a triangular form, which is found useful to prevent their getting through hedges or fences, while a side-line, attaching the fore foot to the hind one, of the same side, prevents them climbing or leaping. "With these two simple contrivances, a goat may be allowed to go anywhere without being able to enter a garden or field. The goat may be milked fifteen days after parturition, when the milk is sweet, nourish- ing and medicinal, having an agreeable, aromatic flavor, no doubt impart- ed by the herbs and wild food upon which it feeds and delights to pasture; and this quality renders it peculiarly appropriate for the manu- facture of cheese and butter, delicious specimens of which we ate in Asia and Europe. "There is, perhaps, more difiference among goats than any other class of anima.ls, their milk varying both in quality and quantity, the latter from one pint to four quarts daily." See U. S. Agtl. Dept. Rept. 1863, p. 217. Referring to the subject of "goats," the Encyclopedia Brit- tanica, says : "The value of goat's milk, as a source of household economy, is much greater than is generally supposed. This is so well shown by Cuthbert W. Johnston, Esq.. in an article in the 'Farmers Magazine.' that we shall c:uote from it at some length: " 'The comfort derived by the inmates of a cottage from a regular supply of new milk need hardly be dwelt on. Every cottager's wife, over her tea, every poor parent of a family of children, fed ahiiost entirely on a vegetable diet, will agree with me that it is, above all things, desir- able to be able to have new milk as a variation to their daily food of bread and garden vegetables. The inhabitant of towns, and of suburban districts, we all know, is at the mercy of the milk dealer; the milk he procures is rarely of the best quality; and, under the most favorable circumstances, he receives it with suspicion, and his family consumes it with sundry misgivings as to its wholesomeness. " 'Having personally experienced these difficulties, and having, about three years since, commenced the attempt to supply my family with goat's milk, and, as our experience is cheering, I desire, in this paper, to advocate the claims of the milch goat to the attention of the cottager, and the other dwellers in the suburban, and rural districts. " 'Few persons are, perhaps, aware of the gentleness, and playfulness, of the female goat, how very cleanly are its habits, how readily it accom- modates itself to any situation in which it is placed. Confined in an outhouse, turned on to a common, or into a yard, tethered on a grass plat, it seems equally content. I have found it readily acommodates Incidental, or By-Products of the Angora Goat. 2S[, itself to the tethering system, fastened by a leathern collar, rope and iron fwivel, secured by a staple to a heavy log of wood. The log is the best land this with a smooth, even surface at the bottom) because it can be readily moved about from one part of the grass plat to another. The goat, too, uses the log as a resting place in damp weather. The goat should be furnished with a dry sleeping place, and this, in case of its inhabiting open yards, can be readily furnished, anything that will serve as a dry dog kennel will be comfortable enough for a goat. " 'The milk of the goat is only distinguishable from that of the cow by its superior richness, approaching, in fact, the thin cream of cow's milk in quality. The cream of goat's milk, it is true, separates from the milk with great tardiness, and never so completely as in the case of cow's milk. This, however, is of little consequence, since the superior richness of goat's milk renders the use of cream almost needless. The comparative analysis of milk of the cow, and goat, will show my readers how much richer the latter is than that of the former; 100 parts of each, according to M. Regnault, gave, on an average: Water Butter Sugar c )f milk (cheese) and , alh soluble umen ai salts Caseine id insoluble salts Cow Goat 84.7 82.6 4.0 4.5 5.0 4.5 3.6 9.0 " 'So that, while the milk of the cow yields 12.6 per cent, of solid mat- ter, that of the goat produces 17 per cent. Goat's milk yielding rather more butter, rather less sugar of milk, but considerable more caseine (cheese) than that of the cow. " 'It must not be supposed that the taste of the milk of the goat differs in any degree from that of the cow; it is, if anything, sweeter, but it is quite devoid of any taste which might very reasonably be sup- posed to be derivable from the high-flavored shrubs and herbs upon which the animal delights to browse. " 'The amount of milk yielded by the goat varies from two quarts to one quart per day; it is greatest soon after kidding time, and this gradually decreases to about a pint per day, a quantity which will continue for twelve months. This is not a large supply, it is true, but still it is one which is available for many very useful purposes; and, be it remem- bered, that when mixed with more than its own bulk of luke-warm water, it is then in every respect superior to the milk supplied by the London dairymen. 286 A Nczu Industry. " 'In regard to the best variety of goats to be kept, I would recom- mend the smooth-haired kind, .which are quite devoid of bear s, or long hair. In this opinion I am confirmed by an experienced correspondent, :\Ir. W. H. Place,- of Hound House, near Guildford, who remarked, in a recent obliging communication: "I found that the short-haired goats, with very little beards, were the best milkers; but from these I seldom had more than four pints a day, at the best (I should say three pints were the average) and this quantity decreases as the time of kidding approaches (the goat carries her young twenty-one or twenty-two weeks). They should not be fed too well near the kidding time, or you will lose the kids. In winter I gave them hay, together with mangel-wurzel globe, and Swedish turnips, carrots, and, sometimes, a few oats; and these kept up their milk as well as anything; but, of course, it was most abund- ant when they could get fresh grass. The milk I always found excellent, but I never had enough of it to induce me to attempt making butter, except once, as an experiment; my cook then made a little, which was easily done in a little box churn; the butter proved very good. I found the flesh of the kids very tender and delicate. ■' "1 --in aaa Jittle to Mr. Place's information as to their food; mine have generally fed out of the same rack as a Shetland pony, with whom they are on excellent terms. The pony, throughout the summer, is soiled with cut grass, and I notice that the goats pick out the sorrel, sow thistle, and all those weeds wl ich the pony rejects. " "In the garden (if they are, by chance, allowed to browse), I notice that they s lect the rose trees, common laurels, arbutus, laurestinas, and !he laburnum. Of culinary vegetables they prefer cabbages and lettuces; they also bite pieces out of the tubers of the potato. " 'They carefully pick up the leaves, whether green, or autumnal, of timber trees; of these, they prefer those of the oak and elm, and delight in acorns and oak apples. We are accustomed to collect and store the acorns for them against winter, spreading the acorns, thinly, on a dry floor, to avoid mouldiness, which follows the sweating of acrons laid in a heap. " 'As I have before remarked, none of these astringent substances affect the taste of their milk, and I may here observe, that, with ordinary gentleness, there is no more difficulty, if so much, in milking a goat, than a cow. '■ 'The manure of a goat is, perhaps, the most powerful of all our domestic animals. "'Such are the chief facts which I have deemed likely to be useful in inducing the extended keeping of the milch goat. " 'It is an animal, I feel well assured, may be kept with equal advant- age by the cottager, and the dwellers in larger houses. It is useless to compare it with the cow, or to suppose that the goat can supplant it in situations where the cow can be readily kept; but, in the absence of pas- IncidcntaL or By-Products of flic Angora Goaf. 28"/ lures, and in places where there is too httle food lor cows, I feel well convinced that, with ordinary care and attention, and a moderate firm- ness in overcoming the prejudices of those unaccustomed to the goat (and unless these are found in the owner, live stock never are profitable), the value, and the comfort, of a milch goat are much greater than is commonly known. " 'The waste produce of a garden is exceedingly useful in the keep of a goat. By them almost every refuse weed, all the cuttings and clear- mgs, which are wheeled into the rubbish yard, are carefully picked over and consumed. To them the trimmings of laurels, and other evergreens, pea haulm, and cabbage stocks, etc., are all grateful variat'ons of their food. In winter, a little sainfoin, hay, or a few oats, keeps them in excel- lent condition. In summer, the mowing of a small grass plot, watered with either common, or sewerage water, will, with the aid of the refuse garden produce, keep a goat, from the end of April rmtil October.' " (See Ency. Brit., Vol I, p. 399.) Col. J. Wash. Watts, of South CaroHna, says : "A cross, made with a pure Angora buck with a Maltese doe goat, produced a doe that gave me four quarts of as good milk as any cow on my plantation. The feed of one of my cows will keep twelve goats. My cows must have certain food, or they will not thrive. My goats will eat anything, almost, and do well, and with this advantage, that their milk and butter are not in any way affected by their diet. The milch produc- ing qualities could be developed in the Angora, by careful and continuous breeding to this end, without crossing, so that excellence of fleece might be preserved. If this could be effected, the Angora, furnishing a double profit in fleece and milk, could take the place of the common goats kept in and around the large towns." (See Hayes, p. 69.) Solomon evidently thought highly of goat's milk, for he says : "And thou shalt have goat's milk enough for thy food,, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens." (Proverbs,, xxvii:"27.) I have quoted at considerable length from other writers upon the milking qualities of the goat because, I believe, the time has arrived in the United States when it is almost a necessity for many of our citizens who live in large towns and cities to discontinue the use of cow's milk. The character of milk that is commonly sold by dairymen is poor, but this is nothing com- pared with the risk that is taken by consuming milk from cows that are diseased. 28S ■ A New Industry. It is a well-known fact upon the part of cur well-informed physicians that much sickness is produced from using milk from cows fed upon swill and impure food ; and, it stands to reason that nearly all dairymen who undertake to carry on their business in the crowded vicinity of a large city must necessarily resort to means in the feeding and housing of their animals which is injurious to their constitution. Only within the past few months a lot of dairy cows were dicovered in the State of Illinois to be diseased, which were condemned and slaughtered by the legal authorities, and it was dearly pi oven that they contained the germs of tuberculosis. These animals had been supplying milk for a long time before any action was taken, and it is not unlikely that a number of sufferers from that fatal disease, consumption, are still suffer- ing from the consec[uence of using the impure milk sold from these cows. Vigorous efforts arc l)eing made in Great Britian to intro- duce goat's milk in the cities and towns of that country for the same reason that I have just referred to. The Baroness Burdette-Coutts is the President of a society known as "The British Goat Society," the purposes of which are stated as follows : "This society has been instituted in order to bring more promi- nently forward the utility and adaptability of the goat as a milk supply. It is a well established fact that in rural districts the families of the poor rarely taste other than skim milk, in consequence of the difficulty of procuring the pure article as it comes from the cow. It is either sent wholesale to London or the nearest town, or utilized at once in the manufacture of butter and cheese. On the continent and in Ireland the goat is regarded as the poor man's cow, supplying as it does many a peasant family with this most miportart article of diet, the defi- ciency of which, among our own laborers' children, must act detri- mentally in regard to their physical development. The goat is especi- ally adapted for such a purpose. It supplies just enough milk for the ample requirements of an ordinary household during the greater part of the year, and as it eats with avidity almost every kind of herb and vegetable, and is besides of a hardy nature it is kept with little trouble and at almost nominal expense." "The prevalence of tuberculosis in cows is a cause for alarm, and the attention of the medical fraternity and the general public is attracted Incidental, or By-Products of the Angora Goat. 28p to the utility or goat milk. Consumption of the bones or some particular organ of the body frequently results from taking into the system milk irom tuberculous cows. In a recent address before the Hudersfield Technical College in England, Sir William Broadbent said: 'Cows are very subject to tuber- culosis, and at a certain stage of the disease tubercle bacilli are present in the milk. It is through milk so contaminated that children come to have tuberculous disease. The disease of bones and joints to which children are subject are probably also traceable to milk; humpback, hip-joint disease, and the diseases of knees, elbows, etc., which cripple so many children; perhaps so is lupus; and no doubt tubercle is often implanted by milk in early life, which developes later into consumption." "Sir William Broadbent subsecjuently goes on to say: 'It is interest- ing to note that asses and goats do not suffer from tuberculosis, and to bear in mind that the shrewd physicians of past days used to order asses' and goats' milk for persons threatened with consumption.' "S. Holmes Pegler, Secretary of the 'British Goat Society,' and author of 'Advantages of Goat Keeping,' in speaking of Sir Wm. Broad- bent's address, says: 'In France this subject has received more attention. Professor Nocard stated some seven or eight years since that out of 130,000 goats and kids brought to Paris for slaughter at the shambles of La Villette every spring, the meat inspectors of that city failed to discover a single case of tuberculosis. He even added that inoculation fails to introduce the fatal bacillus into the system of the goat, although I believe the statement has since been questioned; any way, I have been told by veterinary authorities in this country that attempts made in England have failed. Goats' milk as a diet for children has many advantages over cows' milk, as I have often demonstrated, but this one great virtue trans- cends all others, and it is inconceivable that parents knowing this, and having the opportunities and accommodation for goat-keeping, should not avail themselves of so simple and economical a means of at once providing their children with the most easily digestible, and most nour- ishing of food, and safeguarding them from one of the greatest evils that civilization of the present day is subject to.' "Dr. Adolph H. AUshorn, Licentiate of the Royal College of Physic- ians, Licentiate of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Physician to the Homoepathic Hospitals, Manchester and London, says: 'As a substitute for the mother's milk to children deprived of that necessary, goats' milk has no equal; and notwithstanding the similarity in composition (as re- vealed by analysis), no one who has seen its effects can doubt its super- iority to cows' milk. In diseased conditions of infancy, when there is a tendency to deficient assimilation in tubercular disease, Rachitis, Exo- phthalmic Goitre, I have proved its success, and have succeeded in rear- mg a third or fourth child of a family, the previous children of which have died in infancy from hereditary diease. Children brought up on 2go A Ncz^' Industry. goats' milk for a time after weaning from the mother, will compare more than favorably with those brought up under like conditions on cows' milk. I believe that goats" milk in senil conditions is of the utmost value, and know that it has a retarding effect in cases of Atheroma, whether this is due to the peculiar acid (Hircie) which it contains I am unable to say with certainty." "Dr. R. J. Lee, M.. R. C. P., Physician to the Children's Hospital, Great Ormand Street, London, in his lecture on 'Goats' Milk as a Food for Infants and Livalids,' read before the members of the British Goat Society, said: 'What we desire to prove is, that whilst equal to that of any other milk-yielding animal in its nutritive properties, it is specially valuable for children. On this point I have not the least doubt whatever, and am quite certain that if a hundred children were fed on goats' milk, and compared with an equal number of corresponding ages (all circum- stances being similar) who were fed on an}'- other milk, except that ot their mothers, the goats' milk children would, in comparison at least with those fed on cows' milk have an advantage. This opinion has been formed partly from my own observation, for the children that I have seen fed on goats' milk haw thriven in the most satisfactory way, even when they had not thriven on cows' millc: partly also from the experience of those who. have kept goats and brought up large and healthy families upon the milk. I will give one instance among many that have come under my notice of the \'alue of goats' milk as a food for young children. It was that of an infant three months old, whose mother was obliged to wean it, with the not infrequent result of serious illness to the child. Af- ter trying the usual plans of feeding children under these circumstances, I advised that goats' milk should be tried before resorting to a wet nurse. A quart of fresh goats', milk was obtained daily from the country, was boiled and at first mixed with a small quantity of water. The child drank between three pints and two (juarts daily till he was six months old, when his father went to Pan for the winter. There was, however, no oc- casion to make any change in his diet, for the milk can be obtained very easily indeed in Pau, as goats are driyen in herds through the town every day, and are milked before the houses. Till the age of nine months the child was fed on nothing but goats' milk, and thrived in the most satis- factory way. He has grown into a fine boy, and if his pa:rents had not been leaving town this morning, his mother would ha\'c liked him to have come here and shown himself for our satisfaction.'' "Dr. Charles Edward Shelly, B. A., U. B., Medical Officer to Hailey- bury College, says: 'For infants, I believe goats' milk to be the best substitute for their natural ailment, when that is for any cause nut obtain- able. Not the least of its advantages is due to the fact that, owing to its superior digestibility, it requires less dilution than does cows' milk; and hence the child takes the requisite amount of nourishment in a smaller bulk, and thereby escapes much of the sickness and irritation which are Incidental, or By-Prodiicts of the Angora Goat. 2pi apt to result from too frequent feeding and over-distension of the stom- ach and bowels. As in the case of cows' or asses' milk, it is usually better .to sweeten it with a little glycerine rather than with cane sugar, which is prone to favor fermentation in warm weather. For invalids, for conva- lescents, and in many of the diseases of the old age, it is most valuable; and a liking for it is usually soon acquired. In cases of impaired general nutrition, where there was nothing which could be definitely termed disease, it has proved a most useful addition to the dietary. If its use can be extended amongst the poorer classes of the community, I believe that it will not only prove a distinct boon financially, especially in coun- try districts, but that it will be a powerful agent in tending to lessen the present lamentably high rate of infant mortality; and that it will help to lay the foundations of a sronger and more vigorous manhood and wom- anhood than can be expected to result from the kind of dietary which is now almost universal amongst the children of the poor.' " There is very little doubt but that there would be quite a demand for milch g'oats if farmers in the neighborhood of our larg"e cities and towns were -prepared to furnish them. It often occurs that an infant is left without a m.other to nourish it, and, in such cases, almost any sum would be paid for a goat rather than resort to the risk attending the use of the dairyman's stufi. I teel sure that this branch of the industry is susceptible of very profitable returns, and, in grading up a lot of common (Mexican or Spanish) goats, a very good market can be found for the old does, after they have been used to propagate the Angora. Leather from the Angora goat is not considered as good as that produced by the common kind, owing to the more delicate nature of the skin. A reduction of 25 per cent, is usually made in the price. The Horns of the Angora are also made use of for handles to knives, and for ornamentation. I have seen a pair of horns, from a full-grown male that were very handsome when pol- ished, and set on a panel for wall decoration. As a source of revenue, however, this amounts to little or nothing. 2^2 . . A Nczv Industry. CHAPTER XXIII. WHERE TO RAISE THE ANGORA GOAT TO GREATEST ADVANTAGE. As far as climate is concerned, the Angora will do well in any of oiu" States or Territories where the soil is not marshy or swampy. A dry, rocky, mountainous country is the best ; but one can hardly make much of a mistake in selecting a location that is free from the objection just mentioned, as it will generally possess more or less of the rolling, hilly land, which the goat naturally delights in. The first question to be considered is : What number of goats are intended to be handled? If only a small flock, of fifty to one hundred and fifty, is contemplated, these can be more profit- ably cared for on any farm ranging say from two hundred acres up to six hundred. They will not only thrive well on the weeds in the pastures and old fields, but will grow fat, and be of great advantage to the owner in keeping down briars, and brush ; that so constantly make their appearance along the fences and cros^- fences of farms. The labor of removing these "eyesores" is a continual source of expense, and a small flock of Angora goats will make the fence lines look as clean as a lawn, and return a large dividend on the investment in the animal. If there should be any brush land on the farm, the goats will much more than pay for their cost in the improved character of the land, but I shall refer to this more particularly under a separate chapter. My present purpose is to discuss the matter of "ranching" goats as a separate and distinct branch of live stock, as is now commonly carried on with cattle, sheep and horses. A suitable range at a low cost or rental is the first great essential. Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. i'pj The Southern States, perhaps, offer the greatest advantage in point of economy in handUng the animal, owing to the mild climate ; but, against this, the Northern States have a tendency to increase the product of mohair, hence, what is gained in one section is offset by an equal gain in the other, and it may be said there is no advantage to be had, in a pecuniary sense, by locating in the milder climate, provided you can afford to build shelter for your stock in the colder States. With a limited amount of capital, the West, and Southwest- ern part, of Texas, offers more advantages for breeding than any other portion of the United States. The section lying west of the Colorado River, and south of the thirty-third degree of north latitude, is, perhaps, as close a duplicate of Asia Minor as there is in the world, possessing all the characteristics of that country respecting a dry, arid climate, and high altitude; besides, a large amount of evergreen foliage, and nutritious weeds, which afford an abundance of green feed the year round, together with canons, bluffs, and thickets of brush, to shield the animals from the cold winds of winter. Up to a few years ago, this vast area of Texas, equal in size to the State of New York, was considered to be valueless, owing to the absence of water ; but, this has been overcome by the digging, or boring, of wells, which range from one hundred to four hundred feet in depth, and pumping the water thus ob- tained by the aid of windmills. The land is owned partly by the State, and partly by individuals, chiefly railroad corporations, who received it from the State years ago in the way of subsidies for building railroads. Much of it is very rough, rocky and mountainous ; so rough, indeed, that a cattleman cannot well handle cattle on it, and it is therefore largely vacant and unoccu- pied. The uniform rental for State lands is three cents per acre, but individual owners are often willing to take less, and will accept an off'er of two cents rather than have their lands idle and unproductive of some revenue. The Legislature has recently placed a large portion of the State lands upon the market, for actual settlers, at $1.00 per acre, upon the payment of one-fortieth, or, two and one-half cents per acre cash, and the remainder, in payments of one-for- 2^4 -^ Nezv Industry. tieth annually, with three per cent, interest. Any one who intends to be an actual settler, on the land, can secure four sec- tions, of six hundred and forty acres each. The payment of two and one-half cents per acre, and three per cent, interest, is such a very small sum to pay out annuall}' that it practically amounts to a gift. Information can be had as to where these lands are located by inquiring from any land agent at Austin, Texas. Mr. E. Cartlidge, who was formerly connected with the State Land Office, and is now engaged in the real estate business at Austin, wni be glad to answer any questions concerning this matter. In many other parts of Texas now occupied by cattle raisers, there is a large amount of brushy and hilly land, suitable only for goat raising and, if the owners do not handle goats them- selves, an arrangement can, usually, be made to rent the privilege of range and water at from one cent to two cents per goat per month. This is a very good way for a stranger to begin with, as it will afford him an opportunity to investigate more closely into the various parts of the State, where he can secure a perma- nent location. The section I have referred to is capable, in itself, of sup- porting several million head of goats ; but, it is as nothing, com- pared with the great undeveloped area of the United States, in New Mexico, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Oregon, through which passes the great range of Rocky Mountains, the natural home of the Wild Mountain goat, and an ideal spot to develop one of the greatest and grandest industries for producing- mohair that exists on the globe. The larger portion of these lands are fit for nothing but mining and goat raising, and the latter would be a great advantage to the former in supplying fresh meat to the miners. They are subject to entry and pre-emption, under the United States land law^s, and it is safe to say no other industry wall ever encroach upon them, which has so often been the difficulty with our sheep raisers. Many goat ranches are now established in this belt of territory and are doing well. By writing to any of the breeders whose names and addresses can be found under the chapter on "Notes From Practical Breeders," any needed in- formation can be secured. Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. 2p^ In addition to the almost unlimited available space already referred to, we have, in nearly every one of our Eastern and Southern States, a large amount of mountainous land, as w^ell as many millions of acres in abandoned farms made vacant by the vigorous competion of the more fertile west. These farms have been long idle and are overgrown with briars and brush to such an extent as to render them utterly valueless for either cultivating or stock raising, and are a source of expense to their owners. The following letters that I have leceived from the Secre- taries of the Agricultural Department of some of these States, will convey a fair idea of the advantages offered for Angora goat culture in the same : MAINE. Hon. B. Walker McKeen, Secretary of the Agri- cultural Department, writes me as follows : Augusta, Me., April 13, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Replying to your esteemed favor of recent date, in rela- tion to land in Maine suitable for raising Angora goats, I beg to say that there are sections in the State that are somewhat overgrown with briars and low shrubs, but not in locations so that large areas could be pur- chased in any one place. I know of no stump land that can be purchased cheaply, as most of it is new land, and is, without doubt, being held for cultivation and the raising of those farm animals that are usually kept in the State. "Yours very truly, B. WALKER McKEEN. Extract taken from "The Oregon Agriculturist and Rural Northwest," of Portland, Oregon : "J. W. Bailey, Dairy and Food Commissioner for Oregon, recently visited his old home in Maine, after an absence of twenty-five years. He found there in the logged-off sections, thousands of acres of land which had grown up with brush, and suggested that it could profitably be used as a pasture ground for .Angora goats. An interview with him was published in a Bangor paper, in which he talked about goats in such an interesting way, that since his return he has been deluged with letters from Maine enquiring about Angora goats, what they will cost, etc. He is satisfied that a number of carloads could be sold there if they could only be had at a reasonable price." 2g6 A Nczv Indiistrj. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Hon. N. J. Bachelder, Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, very kindly sent me a catalogue of New Hampshire farms that are offered for sale at prices rang- ing from $i.00 per acre, up, with very good improvements, from which I extract the following: "State of New Hampshire. Board of Agriculture. Immigration Department. "Concord, N. H., Jpnuary 1, 1899. "The numerous inquiries received at this office in regard to ibe :\- .' tages of New Hampshire and the opportunities for purchasing farms for agricuhural purposes, or for summer homes, have led to the publication of this pamphlet. During the past ten years much discussion has occur- red in regard to the abandoned farms of New England, and so numerous have these inquiries been that no less than five of the six New England States have found it advisable to issue publications upon the subject, for the information of inquirers and possible purchasers of such properties, and a large number of farms have been sold and become occupied through these agencies. "Many persons who have become interested in these farms, and in some instances have become purchasers, have been attracted by the advantages surrounding them, rather than by the remarkable fertility of the soil itself, and the greater the advantages in the matter of roads, schools, and gen- eral transportation facilities, the larger the number that will become re- populated and thereb}^ aid in the further extension of public facilities. "The farms to which we have called attention, and which are brought to notice in this pamphlet, are those upon which are fairly tenantable buildings without occupants, — farms which have become abandoned from various causes, none of which militate against the farm itself, for these farms generally compare favorably in fertility and natural productions with the occupied farms of the same localities. They are abandoned only in the sense that the buildings are without occupants. The title to the land is still held by some one who pays the taxes, gathers the fruit, and cuts such portions of the grass for hay as circumstances warrant. The buildings, still in fairly good condition, will shelter a good-sized family from winter's snows or summer's sun, and afford the foundation for establishing a home in one of the most favored spots on the globe. "N J. BATCHELDER, "Secretary." VERMONT. Hon. C. J. Bell, Secretary Board of Agricul- ture and Cattle Commissioner, writes me as follows : Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. x?p7 "East Hardwick, Vt., April 14, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "My Dear Sir: — Answering yours of the 3rd irst., there are many acres of pasture land grown up more to bushes, not briars, and also many acres of pastures in many towns back upon the hills that can be bought from $2.00 to $4.00 per acre. "I should presume in many instances where lumber has been cut off clean, and covered with brush, land could be bought for one dollar per acre. "Yours truly, C. J. BELL. MASSACHUSETTS. Hon. J. W. Stockwell, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, writes : "Boston, Mass., April 12, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Replying to your inquiry would say that we have issued no farm catalogue since December, 1897, and the supply of that issue is exhausted. We are now making plans to issue an entirely new edition and hope to have copies for distribution this coming summer or early fall. Will file your request for a copy. "There is no uestion but that we have areas adapted to the raising of Angora goats; land which can be purchased at from $5 to $10 per acre; and presumably our climate would be reasonably favorable. "Respectfully, J. W. STOCKWELL, Sec. CONNECTICUT. Hon. T. S- Gohl, Secretary Board of Agriculture, State of Connecticut : "West Cornwall, Conn., April 13, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black. "My Dear Sir: — There is plenty of land in Connecticut that is well adapted to both sheep and goats, but the dogs, and poor fences at present rule.* "Yours respectfully, T. S. GOHL, Secty. PENNSYLVANIA. Hon. John Hamilton, Secretary of Agriculture, writes : *The difficulty mentioned by Mr. Gohl can be overcome very easily, by putting up a woven wire fence. 2q8 a Nczv Industry. "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, "Harrisburg, Pa., April 12, 1990. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texcis. "Dear Sir: — Yours of the 3rd instant is just at hand. We have plenty of land that is grown up with brush, and that could be had at very low rates. It is scattered in many districts throughout the State, at prices ranging from $4.00 up. Very respectfully, "JOHN HAMILTON, "Secretary of Agriculture." NEW JERSEY . Hon. Franklin Dye, Secretary State Board of Agriculture, writes : "Trenton, N. J., April 16, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — I have yours of April 9th making inquiries concerning the Angora goat and mohair industry so far as it applies to New Jersey. In answer I must say that for myself I know absolutely nothing about the industry in this State nor whether it prevails to even a limited extent; no doubt there are Angoras goats kept ir- some localities but, evidently, not to such an extent as to be considered by reporters worthy of sending to this office, for no such items have been furnished me in any of the an- nual reports from the counties. "It is an industry, however, which I think could be very successfully carried on in various sections in this State. We have much scrub and brush lands in the southern sections which are, to some extent, sandy; and quite extended areas of similar lands in the hilly and mountainous regions of the northern part of the State. Furthermore, these lands are held at a very low price and could be utilized, as I have no doubt they will be in the very near future, for this industry, the poultry industry and small fruits to a larger extent than at present prevails. Sorry I have not the information at my command to answer your questions in detail. "Very respectfully yours, "FRANKLIN DYE, "Secretary." NEW YORK. Hon. Charles A. Weiting-, Commissioner Department of Agriculture, writes : "Albany, N. Y., April 19, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — In reply to your communication of the 3rd inst. I have to say, there is considerable land in the State of New York that can be Where to Raise the Ajigora Goat to Greatest Advantage. 2^q bought for prices ranging from three to six dollars per acre on which goats would probably thrive. This is back country land on hills, some rocks, but has good productive soil. "Very respectfully yours, '•C. S. WEITING."' MARYLAND. The President of Maryland Agricultural College, writes as follows : "College Park P. O., Maryland, April 13, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Your communication received. There is the greatest amount of land in Southern Maryland of the character to which you re- fer, and it can be bought from four to ten dollars an acre. If you would correspond with R. B. Chew, No. 512 F St., N. W., Washington, D. C. ; or, with the Bureau of Immigration, Baltimore, Md., I think yon might learn something to your benefit. "Very truly yours, "R. W. SENERLEY. "President." VIRGINIA. Hon. G. W. Koiner, Commissioner Depart- ment of Agriculture : Richmond, Va., April 13, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — In reply to your inquiry of the 3rd inst., I beg to say that there is a good deal of cheap land in this State that could be used in raising goats. "Yours truly, G. W. KOINER, "Commissioner." WEST VIRGINIA. Hon. J. B. Garvin Secretary Depart- ment of Agriculture : "Charleston, W. Va., April 26, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — I have been getting all the information available on the Angora goat, and would be glad to see it introduced into this State. The Apalachain mountain ranges running northeast southwest through the Eastern portion of the State afifords a wonderful range of brush lands, admirably adapted, as I understand, for the Angora to feed upon. In addition, our numerous hill lands are covered with the growth of bushes and. briars and alders, which can only be eradicated by some such 30D A Nnv I lid list.- y. process. Mr. O. D. Hill, of Kendalia, Kanawha, County, W. Va., has the only herd of Angora goats in the State, and it is a small one. "I send you by this mail, our fourth biennial report, which may be of some interest to you. "Yours truly, J. B. GARVIN." TENNESSEE. Hon. Thos. H. Paine, Commissioner Department of Agriculture : "Nashville, Tenn., April 10, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Yours to hand in regard to goats. As to area of land for raising goats you can purchase lands at three to ten dollars per acre, well watered. We have very few wild animals to molest goats, and what we have are in the Eastern part of the State. To be near the market I do not think a more suitable place can be found than some of the coun- ties of the middle section of the State. Now as to gentlemen who have raised goats the following live in the middle section, viz: Messrs. Jos. Phillips, care Berry DeMoville & Co., Overton Lea and John A. De- Moville, all of Nashville, Davidson County, Tenn. "Yours respectfully, "THOMAS H. PAINE. The following- letter from Mr. W. E. Hughes, a very sue-' cessful Angora goat breeder in Texas, is taken from "Claridge's Stock Farmer," of San Antonio : "Not long ago I went up through the Eastern end of Tennessee in the Cumberland mountains and was much impressed by the adapta- bility of the whole of that section to the raising of goats. Hitherto it has been regarded as being of but little worth except for its coal mines and timber; besides those who are engaged in these industries there are scattered here and there through the hills a few small farmers, for the most part what are known as 'natives' or old settlers, who, in addition to a small farm, often have a small flock of sheep which is allowed to run at large, and also raise, perhaps, three or four calves and a colt or two and enough hogs to keep them in meat. "It seems strange that in a country which is hilly and practically covered with underbrush that goats have scarcely ever been thought of as a feature of farming. The fields are mostly on a hill-side, so steep that they say you have to use stilts on the down-hill side of a horse in ploughing. This may be romance but, joking aside, it comes as near being a goat's paradise as any country I was ever in. While the hills are very steep they produce a very luxuriant herbage among other bushes, Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. ^oi of which goats are fond; there is sumac in large quantities scattered throughout, and the tops of the hills seem to be just as rich as the bot- toms — generally speaking a soit of sandy loam with sufficient clay in its composition to keep it from washing, and here and there a reddish shade, indicating the presence of iron in the soil. "Another feature which is valuable is the presence of small springs which are to be found in large numbers, and also very pretty and clear streams. I believe that it would be impossible to take an hour's walk in any direction without coming across one or the other of these water supplies. The winters are not severe, and the broken character of the country furnishes ample shelter for stock. One peculiar condition that also adds to its attractiveness as a goat country is the absence of wolves. The scattered sheep which the settlers allow to run out and mix with one another are only rounded up for marking and shearing or for some such special purpose, and for the rest of the time are running out like so many cattle." LOUISIANA. Hon. Leon Jastremski, Commissioner Board of Agriculture and Immigration : "Baton Rouge, La., April 24, 1900. "Mr. Wm. L. Black, Fort McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir: — Your letter on the subject of the raising of Angora goats has been received. I am not aware that any one in Louisiana is now en- gaged in this industry but believe that it could be successfully carried on in the greater portions of the State. I mail you to-day a descriptive pamphlet* of our State from which you may gather all requisite infor- mation. "Very truly yours, "LEON JASTREMKSI, "Commissioner." WASHINGTON. Mr. E. J. Hermans, Glencoe, Wash- ington, writes : "We have a heavy growth of timber and brush, so dense that the brush of other countries in comparison is mere nothing. To clear this land for farming costs from $50.00 to $200.00 per acre. We also have a large amount of land that is not good for farming but that raises two Note — The pamphlet referred to by Mr. Jastremski, is beautifully illustrated, and contains very full information respecting every parish in the State. There appears to be considerable quantity of U. S. land that is subject to preemption in many of the Counties; and a great deal belonging to private individuals that can be purchased as low as $1.00 per acre. ^02 A A'Vti' Industry. varieties of brush known here as salal, and huckleberry, both evergreen and peculiar to this country, which cannot be made to produce anything without great expense, can be made to yield a fine revenue with goats. I would not stock such land to kill the brush, but just enough to keep the range permanent. I am enthusiastic on the subject. The only trouble I have heard of with goats here is "foot-rot,' and that only occurs in the bottom lands. The class of lands I have mentioned is never muddy, and would therefore be free from this trouble." Mr. Jno. S. Harris, Oakley, Idaho, says : "There are a great many difficulties to contend with in this section: yet, in a measure, it is the climate, in mj^ opinion, that is likely to make the mohair goat hold out the longest in producing a fleece similar to that of its native land. "I think Texas climate will cause a deterioration in the fleece. '"I am confident we can compete with South Africa or Turkey in raising mohair. "I think perhaps Colorado is the best all-round State to raise the Angora goat in. Oregon is going to raise a great deal of mohair, and it is of a very fine character; very similar to that of Angora. A very complete write-up on Colorado, Oregon, Dakota,, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona appears in the report of the U. S. Depaitment of Agriculture, for 1869, pages 602 to 633. And, Mr. Ahiiont Barnes, of the Division of Statistics, makes the following interesting statement concerning "Avail- able pasturage for goats," in the year-book for 1898, of that Department, on pages 425 and 426 : AVAILABLE PASTURAGE. "Relative to areas suitable for goat keeping upon any scale, from a few for milk or cheese to large flocks for their fleeces or skins, it may be confidently asserted that wherever there is a suitable climate there are also suitable uncultivated lands. Over 42 per cent, of the land in farms in the United States is unimproved; how much of it is unculti- vatable, is unknown. The total unimproved land amounts to 265,600,000 acres, against more than 375,600,000 improved. This presents a vast field for selection of favored localities in every part of the country; and much of the field invites the primitive occupation of herding, which preceded and prepared the way for agriculture in many countries, with in- estimable benefit to the soil. ' Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. joj "It is true that, considerable portions of the unimproved farm land is in valuable forests, which invite preservation as such for various eco- nomic reasons; btit it is equally true that a large proportion is usless as a present or prospective timber reserve, and can be utilized only in some way as is herein suggested. In the aggregate, millions of acres of poor, rough, rocky, or bushy land, distributed through all the States, call for subjugation and enrichment through animal occupation, prefer- ably of the goat, which would not only destroy the growth that invites recurrent conflagrations, but would result ultimately in the introduction of nutritious grasses. "In order to present the areas of unimproved land in farms in true relation with the improved and to show the farms of which they are a part, and at the same time the wide basis upon which the interest herein considered may be established, reference may be made to the report on agriculture of the Eleventh Census. "The State of Maine, for instance, has 6,000,000 acres in farms, of which 3,000,(i00, or 50 per cent., are imprt/ved and an equal number un- cultivated; there are 62,000 farms therein, averaging 100 acres each. A logal deduction is that, there are about 6"2,000 farmers in Maine who have, on an average, 50 acres each of unimproved land. Observation shows that portions of such land are useless for farming purposes, and often are in extended areas defined by natural limits. They are, how- ever, Vi^ell adapted to goat herding even when good for nothing else, and would almost invariably be made better thereby. "Relative to Georgia, it may be said that there is an acreage in farms of over 25,000,000, of which 9,500,000 are improved, and over 15,- 500,000, or nearly. 62 per cent., unimproved, with 171,000 farms, and an average of 147 acres to the farm. The evidence of the former commis- sioner of agriculture of that Sta-te as to the fitness of its mountain lands for goats of the Angora breed has been cited, and the same -holds good over most of the other lands in the State for the common goat, including the average of l^Vs. acres per farm of unimproved land. Similarly, the lesson may be applied to each State, according to fitness, without material change. "There is, however, in the United States a large, continuous area, embracing over one-third of the States and Territories, which invites particular attention in connection with this subject. It includes the South Atlantic and South Central divisions and a part of the Western division of the Census groupings, * or twenty States and Territories, *South Atlantic division, Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Flor- ida; South Central division, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas; Western division, Montana. Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California. S04 A NcTv Industry. which, together, contain, nearly 285,000,000 acres in farms, of which over 122,000,000 are improved and over 162,000,000, or 57 per cent., unim- proved. Tlie average size of farrns and the average amounts of unim- proved land are greater in this area than elsewhere, and the climatic con- ditions are more uniform. "This area includes nearly all the central, and a part of the western mountain regions, and lies principally within the belt of at least little or no snow. It is in general the most temperate region of a temperate zone, and peculiarly suitable for wintering all kinds of farm and range stock, not only as to climate, but as to subsistence. It furnishes an abundance of such forage as is suitable, and preferable for goats, available to them, in most parts during the entire year. Under such circumstances and con- ditions whatever profit can be derived from herding them comes nearest to a net profit. There is the additional incidental benefit that whatever foul land is regularly pastured by these animals for a few years becomes clean, weedless, and brushless, and usually, being evenly fertilized by them also, runs into natritious native grasses." The following article, taken from the "Montana Stockman and Farmer." of Tannar_y 1st, 1899, will be interesting: ANGORA GOATS IN MONTANA "Little attention has been paid to raising Angora goats in Montana. Some years ago a small band was brought into Beaver County and turned loose near Dillon. No attention was paid to them. They were sold a few at a time to a butcher, some of them died and others were lost, and finally the band disappeared. Another small band at a later date was taken to the vicinity of White Sulphur Springs and turned loose, being finally sold to the butcher because they liked to stay in town too well and would not keep out on the range. ' Another small band was turned out in Madison County. They kept in the mountains, became wild, and were supposed to have been killed by hunters. "The only person, as far as we can learn, who has made a business of running goats in Montana is Mr. H. A. Brannin, of Marysville. He keeps the goats in the mountains about a mile below Empire. Last winter he had about 450 and he' brought them through without feed- ing hay. He says, however, that it would have been better if they had had a little hay, but he would not have required to exceed four tons. With that amount they would have come through the winter in excellent shape. As it was, they were a little thin, but none died. During the heavy snows of March they waded through snow up to their backs to reach the brush and fir trees that were cut down for them to feed upon. Where to Raise the Angora Goat to Greatest Advantage. J03 Under this treatment none of them died. According to Mr. Brannin's experience the goats are much hardier than sheep, and will stand a hard winter with less care. They will also live on much coarser food. "Mr. Brannin was in the goat business in New Mexico, and is enthusiastic on the possibilities of the goat industry m Montana. He believes it to be much more profitable than sheep raising. He says the goats shear heavier here than they do in New Mexico and Texas, and also that they attain greater size. It will also be remembered that this is also true of sheep, and that cattle also attain a greater size here. He also claims that goats are more prolific than sheep, and that the kids are easier to raise than lambs. Goats are certainly much easier to handle than sheep. The kids can be kept in the corral in the morn- ing and the old ones turned out and let go by themselves, and the latter will come home in the evening like cows. The life of a goat is two or three times that of a sheep — a consideration in estimating profit. "Coyotes may occasionly get a goat if it strays from a liock, but in a band they are well able to take care of themselves, so far as the coyotes are concerned. Mr. Brannin has not lost half a dozen in two years, and they have run alone in the mountains where coyotes are plentiful." CHAPTER XXIV. WHERE THE ANGORA GOAT CAN BE PURCHxVSED, WITH STATE- MENTS FROM BREEDERS ABOUT THE SHEARING CAPACITY OF THEIR GOATS. Realizing that very few people, not engaged in breeding I he Angora goat, have any knowledge as to where such stock can be purchased, I decided to send out the following list of Cjuestions to a number of breeders in the different States : 1. What is the average shearing capacity of your goats? 2. What is the length of the staple of your mohair? 3. What will your wethers and does weigh? The following is a tabulated list of the replies received ; and, following this, will be found c:. more particular reference to the character of the animals by the breeders themselves. It must not be supposed that these represent the average shearing of the Angoras in the United States, as there are. many breeders who have only commenced grading up the common goat within the past few years, and have not reached .a very high grade. Others have been using very ordinary bucks, and cannot possibly increase their shearing capacity very rapidly. The breeders I have selected, have been engaged in the bus- iness for a number of years, or have purchased flocks from others who have, and they will serve as a fair index to the Angora in this country, wliere reasonable care and attention has been used for a period of years; and, judging from:ithe exper- ience of the past, I do not hesitate to say that a sheading capacity of twelve pounds for wethers, and eight pounds -for does, is likely to be a very common yield within the next 'twenty-five vears. ,y in s T s 1- J3 U •a g C^ z. LU 2^ UJ CT ^IS ^S- o X U) S:S^^ m ■*= ■» s.g < ^ 3 o_23 _^. X III >-" 1- z o o c ra ■„ g^^ Q rr^ ^ -p"^-- < 1^-1 s-^^; 1- -• ■" S 0;' S Z S 5i '-^ O p O >^HS"g O S'ao5C -1- "j £-^'?i" -gl^l o ss a: .:i o :^ 308 No . 1 No . ?. No. 3 ing Mohair Live Weight Dressed Weight State Cfl" j3 V si ■ op 01 si II Bkebdeb's Address 5 6 4 6/2 4 5 6 4 9 4 4 6 4 3 8-10 4@8 6@,7 6 3 4/5 3/5 4^/2 3 3 4 3 6 3 3 5 3 5@,8 4(516 3@4 4 5 3@5 12 13 13 13 13 12 12 7 8 9 10 14 8 6H 13i4 15 11 12 12 15 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 6 7 12 12 8 12 12 12 12 13 12 12 'ioo 130 "so 90 60 60' 45 45 John Brown, Sonora. Jea Pepper, Rock Springs. D. G. .\very, Marathon. K. H. Lowry, Camp San Saba. J. W. Garrett, Mountain Home. Texas. 100 "90 90 105 75 "65 65 85 '76 '56' Doughter & Luttrell, Lipan. W. W. Haupt. Kyle. J. M. Arnold, Montell. G. W. Baylor, Montell. Tom S. Evans, Exile. 0. Dis~ler. Juno. 60 '126 90 100 80 100 100 100 50 "95 75 75 60 80 85 75 '48' '36' H. T. Fuchs, Tiger Mill. H. W. Galbraitti. Montell. Jas. Patterson. Junction City. W. M. Landrum, Laguna. R. H. vA'yatt. Sonora. Henry Fink, Leon Springs. W. G. Hughes, Hastings. W. R McKee, Junction City. Rev. D. S. Babb, Sonora. 5% 4 6 4@5 7 4(«)8 5(a.8 6@).8 6@8 7@9 6!4 m 5 3M 4 3@4 4 2(rt).3 3(?»,6 3(5(7 4(^6 4 5 4 14^2 12 12 12 75 100 48 80 Scott Obye. No Yamhill. Geo. A. Houck. Eugene. Frank H. Rogers. Gardner. 11 10 10 11'/= 12 10 13 10 12/2 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 A. Blackburn, No. Yamhill. J. M. Hassler, Larwood. J. H. Hawlev, Monmouth. Oregon. 185 145 0. Dowell, Florence. N. Woodward, Dallas. Mr. Masters, Cleveland, W. L. Claggett, Salem. .las. McDonald. Morrison. D. A. Walker, Carlton. No. 1. Shear- No 2. ing. Mohair No live Weiglit. . 3 Dressed Weight. STATE. si tn 03 M ^5 5 hC' ■h 3 a Bbebdbb's Address. C3 g O 7 6 6 5 6 5i4 4 4 3i4 4 4 3 31/2 5 5M 4 3 4 4 214 3y2 2/2 3/2 13 13 8 12 16" 12 6 16" 8 9 13 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 6 12 12 100 165 "ioo 100 80 120 "75 80 75 '46' 60 Philo Ogden. Upper L,ali8. Conklin Bros., Newville. Wm. Richter, Ico. Jacob Oakes, Paskenta. E. L. Maize, Upper Lake. C. P. Bailey, San Jose. E. R. Williams, Uedding. K. J. Linton, Ager. P 50 40 V . G. Smith. Skaggs Springs. Av'se of flock. Av'ge of flocli. . J. M. Wimmer, Millville. Jos. H. Dunison. Upper Lake. 7 6 6 ii 5 4 4 E. Weistrand. Cooney. D. C. Taylor, Lake Valley. J. C. Hightovver, Ruidosa. 0. D. Norciip. Sepan New Mexico 15 11 11 12 12 1^ 120 inn 50 60 40 50 Iowa. 7 5 4 5 .5 5 4 3 3 3 13/2 10 10 14 11 12 12 12 12 12 100 100 100 80 85 75 J. K. Standley, Platteville. S. H. McKibben. Earlham. I. J. Booth, Gresco. Morgan & Morgan, OIny. 100 75 Arizona. 4 4 4 21/, 3 2/2 2/2 1^2 12 12 6 8 12 12 12 12 50 55 35 40 J. F Holder. Pays m J. R. Barnette. (Jlobe. Ira Harper. Clifton. Wm. Horn. Camp Verde. 40 35 Montana. 5 5 3 3/2 11 12 9 12 .... 65 65 45 45 S. S. Brannin, Marysville. T. Glome Miles, Silver Bend. 9 6 12 7 J. H. Harris. Oakley. Washingi'n 8 6 13 12 .... 55 40 Dr. Tuttle, Tacoma. Wyoming. 6/2 4 12 12 140 120 .... Cliris. Nihsoa. Burlington. Utah. 3H 2;/„ 15 12 80 1 70 .... J. K. Hamblin, Kanab. 5 5 4 4 12 13 12 12 C D Tuthitl, Tuthill. Minnesota 150 125 1 he Wilcox; Co , Hugo. Kansas. 7 5/2 12 12 100 7."> Missuuri. 7 5 8 12 J.... A. Lippincut. Sheridan. Oklahoma. 5 3 13 12 100 75 J. K. Youn>f, Woodward. VVeht Virg^lnia. 7 5 18 i .... 1). Hill. Ktndalia. Conuectic't 5@.7 3@5 10 12 95 7.i Jas. A. Bill, Bill Hill Nurlli 1 1 1 Carolina. | ml 1 |lO 12 90 fi?. 1 Lafiivette HoU,. Hurlinston. 3"^ .1 A/(-,v hidiisi I Y. Il Will III (p|i,( iv((| ili.ii lilt i(|Miil((| l(iij;lli «il ;,l;i,ilc v;n ii'S flolll six III (ii'iilriii III! Ik •,, ,iiic| lli.il \vcif;lil,'. i.tii;;"' lioiii sisly |lilllfli|', III iilM IiIIIhIiiiI .MkI IM'llh ll\r |MI||lll|;.. Il I. I ilivH III', Ih.il .1 I.Mi'i- li.iiiir, viiiwiiiy .1 III!!!; i.l.iplc, is »;i|).i|i|i ..! |iIih|ii< iiiv .i Iic.ivki lire i i- ill. Ill .1 Mil. ill li.iiiic ) ; I i i\\'i iii; ;i ■IkiII J.llili , .iml, Il l;, wi'll I'll liir<-(|cis in lliilr lllfl.c |i.lltii'- lil.i I |i< mil 'i III I Ik \\',\ III I I'l iJK ', I W'liiiiil, .iImi .i.iII .iI 1 1 III k Ml III iIk I.k I ih.il Millie In ccilri'.S ll.lVf l(|lilll((| ;,|\ .linl NeVill llliHllll'' '.IkmI III!; , wllllc iitllCIS li.i\i ii|Miilr(| Iwi'lv; .111(1, ^,(llll(■ li,i\( yucii llic ilir'.Mil \\(i!;lil III IIkii .iiiiiiials, wiliN' iiIImi'. Ii.I\c s uiii llic li\c \\ci;;lil, .ill dl wliii II '.III mill III' I, I Is CI I mill I I iir.iili I .il K HI. tiTATKMlCNTS (t|'' liU I'.h'.l )l''K'S AluiiiT Tili'', SI I I'.AU' I NC l'Al^■\^.'lT^ ( II' riii'i u (.( > a'i's Mr. (li'd. W H.nliii, M.mirll, I 'x.ii.lc (\miil\ , Tcs.is, savs : "I h.iM ilii,. Iiiiiiiliiil ,111.1 l.iih II. .1,1 ..I ill. I ;'. II. nil', ih.H.Miv'li III.. I I'll.ll', ,111.1 I lllllll- III. \ ll.l\. II. . '.Il|i. I KM :, III ill. W.ill.l I ',ll.i\V.'.l .s.\i'ii .il lll.■•^. r.i.ii .Il ill. ;',.iii \iil.i|ii.i I.IK l.l-,l < I. I. ill. I H,''^''!M .111.1 tiMlk ,lll ill. I'l' IKI .ill. I.. I .\..{i| .ill., wlll.ll WA-. llllilr.l ll{i..|| 'llic Ifirgi'^i iiiinili.i .' \ liiliili'.l Im .III.' III.. .1.1 "Mr, liarris alway.s laiin'.l nil ili. iilili.m-, ,iiul inir..,', in i '.iIiI.hik.l lu'liin- II.' nnu.'il In l.lalin, .in. I I . Ii.ill. iik. ,in\ In.'.'ilii in llu' llint>'.i ^;l,ll.'h In ^lln^^ ,linllnil|.' Ii.ll.i, .illi.i in w.ii'lil ..l ll... ., Iki.ii.",', nl lijui', .11 I',. 11.1,11 ,i|iii.',ii ,111. 1' nl III.' .inini.il l\l\ .I'.'.il', ,11. Will ..i\.n', wlll.ll I'l .1'. inn. III. ill. Ill .1'. .in\ .ni ill, |..,.l\ .i \ci\' jjlrollg pinnl nl |illllly nl |iln.i,| "I ai-'Uil .\'nil |i|inln(Hii|)lis nl ,i |i,ki ..I Iwn ci.iwn d...',. willi lliur .Si'\'i'll in.illlll-i' Li.l'-: .111.1. Iw.i rl.iwn |,|l. k', Wllll nn.' ninwil .Ini' 'I'll.' .il.l Ini. I .ni ill- 1,11 li.K. -Ik, II,, I nin. ii.,nn.l', .il -..'v , n in.nnli',' (iniwili, .III. I ill. .1..,, Ill III. |i, K .n ii\.' 1.1 ill,' ii.i'.ln. M'v.n .n ■.rvrn iihuiiIi'n I'l.iwili "TIk' ll.iil 'dinw n III ill. |>li. i| 1 ll' 1 .i|i|i 1', niily M'V.n ninnlll',' ^inwlil ({)i'|n|u'| III, |,^I»IM "1 mils M II Im. K'. ,111.1 III! inii.'S i.iiiKi' linui .l.'.iMM) i,, $100,00, ill'l'lllillIK' 111 i|ll,llll\ nl ill. . lllllll. ll "Till ..ih, I I'l.iwii .1.1. Ill ill. i'i,in|i .n li\, -.lu.iu'.l -IS ,111,1 ,in,' li.ill |iiiiin.h .ll M'\iii 111, null',, ,111,1 ill, Iwn .1... Ki.l-, itii,,' ii.inn.ls .'.nil, .iml llli' Init k Kill Inili .111.1 lllir. . in, III. I pnlKul'v 6 t 'J' 1 «/ (./.I Sf I- is - z (!) 'g 'S'w O 5" 2-^ Statements of Breeders About Shearing Capaeity of Goats, j/j "The group of three, the big buck sheared nine pounds, the small buck six pounds, and the doe five and one-half pounds, at seven months." Mr. W. G. Hughes, Hastings P. O., Kendall County, writes : ■'Referring to my flock of thoroughbred Angora goats, I would state that I purchased the entire flock from Col. W. W. Haupt, of Hayes County, some years ago, and have since tried to avoid any retrogression in the quality of the stock which Col. Haupt deserves great credit for having brought to a high state of perfection. I have shipped bucks into twenty-four different States in the last twelve months or so, from Washington and Idaho in the Northwest, to New York and Massachu- setts in the East, and as far South as Louisiana and Florida. I made an exhibit at the Omaha Exposition in 1898, and carried off most of the premiums that were offered, and I can conscientiously say there are no goats in the United States that are any freer from base blood than my own. I have been breding to combine a strong constitution with a good, well distributed fleece of fine mohair, and I think I have attained it. "I cannot do better in this connection than by giving you Col. Haupt's reply to a request I made that he write a statement as to the breeding of the goats while in his hands, which is as follows: '• "Kyle, Hays County, Texas, April -5, 1899. " 'Mr. W. G. Hughes, Hastings, Texas: " 'Dear Sir — I got all my pure bloods from Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, into whose hands fell the original flock of Angoras imported by Dr. J. B. Davis, of South Carolina, in 1849. " 'These were the finest goats ever brought here, unless others have been imported in recent years. Mr. Peters (who died in 1899) made other importations of which he sent me samples, but I discarded them. He imported some greasy fleeced goats, like Merino sheep, and sent me samples of the fleece and asked my opinion of them. I informed him the fleece was no finer, and after the grease was washed out it was no heavier, and that all the difference I could see in it was the extra trouble of scouring the fleece. We discarded them. " 'I wrote to Kitching & Bicknell, of New York, if I could find a billy from any flock in California, or elsewhere, that would increase the weight of my fleece, without detriment to its fineness. They said I could not. And under date of December 17, 1888, they wrote me about my six months' clip as follows: ' "It is the best lot we have had this season. We sold a lot today, not as good as yours, for thirty- three and one-third cents and yours will go to thirty-five cents. We can get a fancy price for yours, as it is fine, clean, silky and lustrous, and of good length." ' 3H A Nczv Industry. " 'Mr. spoke so much of his large yield and fine fleece, that I ordered one of his billies. I reshipped it back to him. " 'So my pure bloods, ab initio, till the day I sold them to you, have been bred by me with most scrupulous care, and no foreign matter mixed into them, and I can truthfully say their blood is perfectly pure, if it left Asia Minor pure; and it is doubtful if this caii be said of many other flocks in the United States. " 'Respectfully, •■ -WM. W. HAUPT.' " Pt.ATE ,\.\V. . THOROUGHBRED ANGORA BUCK. Under two years old; bred and I'aised by Mr. W. G. HuRhes, Kendall Comity. Texas, out ot ■' Haupt" yoats. snowing eight moiitiis' tleeee. " 'P. S.— At one time I paid Col. Peters eight hundred dollars ($800) for seven nannies and a billy, but that was ten or fifteen years after I moved to this place. " 'W. W. H.' " Mr. W. R. McKee, Jtmction City, Kimble Cottnty, writes : "My flock of goats was started from the Pari.'^.h btock in \^'^^'l. "My does average five pounds and wethers seven pounds. Weight of carcass, 100 pounds for wethers and eighty-five for does. Have used bucks of the finest kind I could procure. Sfatciiicnfs of Breeders About Slieariiig Capacity of Goats. 575 "Many of my best does shear over six pounds and these I always select for my stud flock. "My price for males has been $15.00 to $25.00 "Many of my goats hold their fleece very late in the spring, and 1 have some that do not shed at all. Mr. Jeff. Pepper, Rock Springs, Edwards County, writes : "My flock of goats was started from pure-blooded stock raised by W. D. Parish, of Texas. PLATE XXVI. THOROUGHBRED THREE-YEAR-OLD DOE. Bred and raised by Mr. W. G. Hughes, Hastincs, Kendall County, Texas, out of ••Haupt" g-oats. showing eight months' fleece. "The average of my flock is four and one-half pounds for does and six for wethers, but I have a number of does that shear as high as six, and over, which I always select for my stud flock. "My goats weigh 100 pounds for wethers and eighty pounds for does. The staple of mohair is thirteen inches, very fine and curly. "My price for bucks is $25.00, and does $10.00." Mr. John Brown, Sonora, Sutton County, writes : "My flock of goats, consisting of about three thousand head, was started about fifteen years ago from pure-bred bucks purchased from j/d /i Nczv Industry. Col. W. W. Haupt; and, of late years, I have been breeding some of my finest does for bucks which I have sold from $15.00 to $25.00, according to quality. ''The shearing of my entire flock will average three pounds for does and five for wethers, but I have many does that will shear as high as six pounds, and have had some kids that shear four and one-half pounds. "The character of my mohair is fine in fibre and about twelve inches in length. "I have always found ready sale for all the bucks that I have raised, and they appear to have given great satisfaction." Mr. J. M. Arnold, Montell, Uvalde County, writes : "Our flock of goats was founded on the W. D. Parish stock. I send you photographs of two bucks that were twenty-one months old, and had their second fleece about nine months, and sheared ten pounds and eleven pounds good mohair. "We select only our heaviest shearing does to breed for bucks, which we have been selling at $25.00 per head. "The weight of our bucks range from eighty to ninety pounds, and does sixty to seventy pounds." Mr. W. M. Landrum, Laguna, Texas, writes : "My flock of pure-bred Angoras was originally started from the 'Peters' stock. My does shear from five pounds to eight pounds of pure mohair per head. I always make a selection of my finest and heav- iest shearing does to breed for bucks, which generally shear eight pounds to ten pounds per head. "The weight of my bucks vary from eighty pounds to 100 pounds; does from seventy, to eighty, pounds. "My prices range for bucks from $40.00 up to $300.00; and for does from $50.00 to $100.00 per head." Rev. D. S. Babb, Sonora, Sutton, County, Texas, writes : "My flock of Angoras was started twenty-five years ago from goats that came from Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Georgia, and I have used 'Landrum' bucks since, more or less. "My does shear from three pounds to five pounds; wethers from four pounds to eight pounds; kids from two pounds to four pounds. "Weight of wethers 100 pounds; does seventy-five pounds. "Mohair well covered over the chest, body and belly, measuring from twelve to eighteen inches. "My price for bucks ranges from $10.00 to $50.00,- according to individual qualities." 2 p ■3 c Staleiiiciifs of Breeders About Shearing Capaeity of Goats, ^ip Mr. Henry Fink, Leon Springs, Texas, writes : "Our flock of pure-bred goats originated from the W. D. Parish goats whose entire flock we purchased when he retired from the business nearly twenty years ago. We have made a practice of raising bucks for breeding purposes, and have been selling them at the rate of $20.00 each; and breeding does, $15.00. "The shearing capacity of our bucks range generally between six and seven pounds, and the does three and one-half to four pounds. Staple of mohair eleven inches." Mr. H. T. Fiichs, Tiger Mill, Texas, writes : "My flock of goats was started in 1882 from pure-bred bucks pur- chased from Col. Robt. W. Scott, of Kentucky. "I have bred them with great care for density of fleece, and fineness of fibre. "My does shear five pounds and weigh fifty pounds gross. The staple of mohair hangs in long ringlets from ten to twelve inches. "My prices have, heretofore, been $15.00 to $25.00 for bucks, accord- ing to quality." Hon. Robt. H. Lowrey, Camp San Saba, Texas, writes : "My goats were started from the 'Peters' stock in 1875, and I added some 'Parish' stock up to 1879. "I have made a practice of selecting my best does for breei»mg bucks, which I have always found sale for. "My present prices range from $10.00 to $15.00 for does, and $15.00 to $25.00 for bucks. "The staple of my mohair is twelve to fourteen inches. Weight of animal about sixty pounds net for males." Mr. Robt. H. Wyatt, Sonora, Sutton County, writes : "I purchased my first bucks from the Rev. D. S. Babb flock of goats, in this State, and have used great care in my selections ever since. Have always selected them from flocks well known for purity of blood. "My does shear three and one-half pounds; wethers four and one- half to eight pounds. "Weight of my goats is about 100 pounds for wethers and seventy- five pounds for does. "I sell bucks at $10.00 to $25.00, and does $5.00 to $10.00." Mr. H. W. Galbraith, Montell, Texas, writes : "My first pure-bred bucks were of the 'Landrum' stock, and I have since used some 'Divine' and 'Harris & Baylor' goats. 5. O '3 o °* Stafcnicnts of Breeders About Shearing Capaeily of Goats. S23 Col. W. W. Haupt, Kyle, Texas : ■"I sold all my goats to Mr. W. G. Hughes, of Hastings P. O., Texas, in 1893." Mr. O. Dowell,^* Florence, Oregon, writes: "My goats weigh heavy — 185 pounds for bucks, and 145 pounds for does, gross. "The does shear between two and one-half and three pounds, and wethers five pounds, of eleven and one-half inch mohair. "I do not raise bucks for sale, but can recommend Geo. A. Houck, of Eugene, and Oscar Tom, Angora, Oregon." Mr. T. H. Hawle}', Monmouth, Oregon, writes : "Our goats shear four pounds for does and seven pounds for wethers but many will go above this. "We sell bucks at $10.00 and does $5.00." Mr. W. D. Claggett, Salem, Oregon, writes : "My flock of goats was started with bucks from the 'Eutichides' importation in 1867. "My does shear from four to six pounds and have a staple twelve to fourteen inches in length. "I have been selling breeding bucks at $25.00. My goats are exceed- ingly fine wooled, but are not large in frame." Mr. N. Woodward, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon, writes : "My docs range from three pounds to six pounds of mohair, twelve inches long. "I sell breeding bucks from $10.00 to $25.00, and does at $5.00 to $10.00, according to quality." Mr. Scott Obye, North Yamhill, Oregon, writes : "My flock of Angora goats averages four and three-fourths pounds for does, and five and three-fourths pounds for wethers, but I have many does that shear as high as seven and seven and one-half, and have had one go as high as eight pounds. The staple of my mohair measures fourteen "ind one-half inches in length. "I have been selling bucks for breeding purposes at $20.00 to $25.00, and does $10.00 to $15.00, according to quality." *Mr. O. Dowell is the President of the "Coast Mohair Asso- ciation," Florence, Oregon, of which Frank H. Rodgers, Gardner, Oregon, is Secretary. 3^4 A Nczv Industry. Mr. James McDonald, Morrison, Oregon, writes : "My flock was started in 1883. "My does shear, now, an average of five pounds. I have been breeding for bucks and sell at $10.00 per head for both bucks and does. "My bucks shear from seven to nine and one-half pounds, of twelve inch mohair, and have had some go as high as thirteen inches." Mr. Oscar Tom, Angora, Oregon, writes : "I have been raising my goats chiefly for breeding bucks, which T have been selling at $10.00, and my culled does at $5.00. "My does shear four pounds each of mohair, eight to twelve inches in length." Mr. D. A. Walker, Carlton, Oregon, writes : "I started with old Spanish goats twenty-seven years ago. My does now shear very near flve pounds (4 14-16 pounds), of twelve inch mohair. "I have only got 125 head, as I have made a practice of culling out every year, picking out the oldest and poorest shearers. "I do not sell my best goats, but can refer buyers of breeding bucks to A. Blackburn, North Yamhill." Mr. Masters, Cleveland Oregon, says : "My flock of goats was started by my father, the Rev. C. B. jMasters, now of Coos County. He was an old breeder, and bred them with great care until he became too old to give them the proper atten- tion, when he sold them to me. "They were originally started from the W. M. Landrum goats, of California, in 1872. "My does shear from three pounds to seven pounds, and wethers from five to eight pounds; staple of mohair nine to eleven inches. "I have only paid a little attention lo breeding for bucks, and have sold at $10.00 to $25.00 for bucks, and $5.00 to $15.00 for does, according to quality." Mr. A. Blackburn, North Yamhill, Oregon, writes : "My flock of goats was started from goats purchased from D. C. Stewart & Son, who got their start from 'Landrum.' "My flock shears four pounds for does, and six pounds for wethers, but I have many that will go much over this. "My staple is eleven inches in length. O g Q o < " O ^ a ^ « - W = o s o P « 5 o s K - &^ s O a ^ I o . c5 a Stafoiioifs of Breeders About Shearing Ccpaeity of Goats. 327 "I have been breeding for bucks, which I sell at $10.00 up to $25.00. according to quaHty. My does I do not sell. "I recently purchased a buck from W. G. Hughes & Co., of your State, which is a good goat." Mr. J. M. Hassler, Larwood, Oregon writes : "My does shear from three to four pounds of mohair, eight to twelve inches in length. I have raised some breeding bucks, which sheared from seven to nine pounds, and have sold all the way from $8.00 to $25.00, according to quality. I will give you a statement of my experience with fifty head of goats purchased in April, 1895, for $87.50: 1895. Sold, mohair, $31.40; and goats, $35.00 $ 66 40 189(1 Sold, mohair, $60.35; goats, $22.75 83 10 1897. Sold, mohair, $45.15; goats, $60.00 105 15 1898. Sold, mohair. $83.70; goats, $28.00 106 70 1899. Sold, mohair, $93.60; goats, $209.50 303 12 $664 47 And I have on hand still 78 head. Mr. Geo. A. Houck, Eugene, Oregon, writes : The flock of goats which I now own was started originally by Mr. Ari Cantrell between 1860 and 1870, who was the pioneer goat breeder in this State. Mr. Cantrell purchased about 150 head of three-fourths to seven- eighths grades from Landrum & Butterfield at $12.60, and paid $1500 for a pure blooded buck and one yearling doe. He afterwards purchased pure bred bucks from Landrum & Rogers of California. He bred for fine silky fibre and his best goats became very small in consequence, — as well as very tender and delicate in constitution. My father purchased his entire flock in 1885, and put with them two bucks purchased from C. P. Bailey. Mr. Cantrell showed me three does he said were direct descendants from his full blood doe that, he purchased originally, and from the offspring of these, bred from a "Bailey" buck, I secured a buck that sheared ten and a half pounds. "I never saw a better breeder than he was, and one of his kids sheared as high as eleven and one-fourth pounds last spring. I have never offered to sell any goats for breeding purposes until 1897 and have sold since then at $15.00 to $25.00 according to quality. "I keep a register of their breeding. I am breeding for carcass, constitiution and w^eight of fleece. My flock consists of about 1500 head." 3^8 A Nczv Industry. CALIFORNIA. Philo Ogden, Upper Lake, Cal. : "I started my flock of goats with full-blood bucks from C. P. Bailey of San Jose California. "My does average five pounds and wethers seven. My mohair meas- ures thirteen inches in length. My wethers weigh 100 pounds and does eighty pounds. I have never made a practice of raising any bucks for sale, but intend doing so in the future." Mr. James H. Dunison, Upper Lake, Cal., writes : "My does average four pounds and wethers five pounds. The whole flock will average three and a half, taking in the kids. The staple of my mohair is thirteen inches long. I have not made a business of raising breeding bucks, but can recommend W. W. Green of this county." Messrs. Conklin Bros., Newville, Cal., writes : "Our flock of thoroughbred goats was started with three does and one buck imported from Turkey by Mr. Eutichides, in 1870 by Mr. Julius Weyand (deceased) who purchased them from Dr. Cummings, and they afterwards passed into our possession, and have been kept absolutely free from any crossing with common goats ever since. "Mr. Weyand was a highly educated man, and was very systematic in all his work, and his register was kept up with great care and exactness, which we have continued upon the same system as he inaugurated, there- fore we claim our flock of 'thoroughbreds' are thoroughbred indeed. "We bred one buck that sheared nine pounds in the fall, and three pounds and three ounces in the spring, making twelve pounds and three ounces for the twelve months' growth. This is the heaviest goat we ever sheared. From six to nine pounds is about the average weight of our bucks, more of them the heavier than the lighter weight. Our rec- ord of breeding is so systematic that we can select and tell exactly how each goat is bred, by its number. "We have a large flock that we keep no record of that appear to be as fine as our thoroughbreds. We have made a business of selling bucks for breeding purposes at from $35 to $50. The staple of our moliair is thirteen inches in length. Weight of males 165 and females 120. We think our thoroughbred flock has no superior in the State." Mr. Jas. Wilder, Paskenta, Cal., writes: "I have been in the goat business eleven years on a small scale. I never had over 450 head on my place at one time. I would refer you to Mr. Wm. Harland of Williams Station; Conklin Brothers and C. W. Foreman, both of Newville, Glen County, and John Hull, Croam- ville. Glen County, who are all breeders of Angora goats." Q d <1 >, M 03 •J i <; cs >* ^ s~ . O 3 Q I ^' O 'S. ^ i O = o ^ §1 Statciiioifs of Breeders About SJieariiig Capaeity of Goats, ^ji Mr. A. Moon, Ono, Snasta County, Cal.. writes : "My flock was started with pure bred bucks purchased from Conk- lin Brothers of Newville, in 1895. "My does average between three and four pounds mohair, six tc eight inches long at six months cHp. I do not raise bucks for breeding purposes, but can recommend Conkhn Brothers." Mr. Jacob Oaks, Paskenta, Cal., writes: "I purchased my first breeding bucks from Conklin Brothers in 1892 and can recommend them. I am a general farmer and I do not raise goats especially for breeding purposes. My does average three pounds and wethers five pounds of twelve inch mohair. Mr. E. L. Maze, Upper Lake, Cal., wTites : "My flock of Angoras average four pounds for the does and six pounds for wethers , but many individual goats will shear above this average. The weight of our wether goats is 100 ponds a d does seventy- five pounds. "We breed and sell breeding bucks at $50.00 and does at $20.00. Mr. J. M. Wimmer, Millville, Cal, writes: "My band of goats was started with bucks bought from J. S. Har- ris, now of Oakley, Idaho. "I started in 1878 with 120 head of doe kids, about three-fourths grades, and have been breeding to the best bucks I could get. I have wethers^ in the band that will shear eight and nine pounds and does that will shear five and six, and kids that will shear four; but three pounds is about what the whole band will average. "I have not made a practice of breeding bucks for sale." Mr. C. P. Bailey, San Jose, Cal, writes : "My first pure-blood bucks came from the 'Chenery' importation to Boston, Massachusetts. My band averages four pounds for does, five and a half for wethers and two for kids, but I have many individual goats that will shear much heavier. My mohair ranges from eight to ten inches. I have made importations of breeding bucks from South Africa." "The following is an extract from the Associated Press cables, with reference to a sample of mohair grown by me, which I sent to Bradford, England, for examination: "A stir has been caused in England by a mohair fleece grown in California, and it is stated that if fleeces of the same uniform quality can JJ2 A Nezv Indiistry. be grown there the triumph of the United States as a mohair producer is assured. The American grown mohair fleece which has been exhibi- ted for the past week was forwarded by C. P. Bailey of San Jose, Cal. The fleece is that of a two-year-old graded doe and the quality of the hair has been the wonder of all who have seen it." "One of the leading merchants, in commenting on it, said: "I have now in my warehouse about two hundred thousand dollars worth of mohair both Turkish and Cape, and I am entirely sincere when I state that there is not a better fleece in the whole lot. I will buy all the American mohair like that at the market price and I do not know but that I would pay more than the market price. I say unhesi- tatingly that the sample fleece is as good mohair as is grown." Mr. R. J. Linton, Ager, Cal., writes : "I breed largely for breeding purposes and sell bucks at $50 and does $50. I keep up a register of my pure-bred flock." "My band of goats was started in 1883. My present shearing is three and a half pounds for does, four and a half for wethers and two and a half for kids. Staple of mohair six inches in length. I sell my best shearing bucks at $'25 and does $15." Mr. E. Weistrand, Cooney, N. M., writes : "The average shearing of my Angoras is as follows: Does, three to five pounds; wethers, five to seven pounds; kids, two and a half to four pounds. "I do not make a practice of breeding bucks for sale. I purchased four bucks from J. S. Harris of Oakley, Idaho in 1897, and they are the best I have seen in New Mexico." Mr. J. C. Hightower, Rindosa, N. M., writes : "My Angora goats average four pounds for does, six pounds for wethers and two pounds for kids. Staple of mohair eleven inches. "My price for bucks is $10.00 and does the same. My bucks shear about seven pounds." Mr. D. C. Taylor, Lake Valley, N: M., writes : "I commenced the goat business thirteen years ago. I was dead broke and bought ninety-nine Mexican does on time at $1.50 each. My first bucks came from J. M. Arnold, of Texas. I have since used 'C. P. Bailey' bucks and have used one 'Landrum' buck. I now have about 2(300 goats (1100 does and 1500 wethers and bucks). They are all extra good. I have not a doe that will shear less than three and a half pounds up to six and a half pounds, and wethers from four to seven. My bucks sheared last spring ten pounds each. O '^ o £ < 1 o ^■" ^ I O IT Statements of Breeders About Slieari)ig Capacity of Goats, jjj "I sell bucks at $25 each with mohair (not dog hair) all around their eyes and face and down to the hoofs, that I think will make eleven pounds, bucks at two years old. I sold twenty-two bucks last fall. "My bucks have five or six inch mohair now (July) and about eight months more time to grow before shearing. A very few of my goats shed any which I think is a big thing. "I think the possibilities of the Angora goat are as great as the sheep and you know what the Americans did with the old 'Spanish merino.' I am trying to get on top. Have nothing else to do, and do not need any money." PLATE XXXII. YEARLING ANGORA BUCK. Raised by Mr. D. C. Taylor. Lake Valley, New Mexico, showing seven months' growth ot mohair. A. D. Norcop, Sepan, N. M. : "My first bucks came from C. P. Bailey. My does shear an aver- age of three and a half pounds, wethers five and a half, and kids two pounds. Mohair eleven inches. My wethers weigh 120 pounds. I have not yet sold any of my best goats." The Onderdonk Live Stock Company, Lamy, N. M., write : jjd A Nezv Industry. -- :"We have' on^ha^ I ^ =s „ o m £ H % O ° « ^ o 5 a ^. ffl I C5 ^ -) ^ O !-^ « :§ ffl § ^ y; OS Stafviih'iifs of Breeders About Slieariiig Capacity of Goats, jjp Mr. J. R. Barnette, Globe, Ariz., writes : "I purchased my first pure-bred bucks from Wm. M. Landrum of Laguna, Texas, in 1898. My does shear two and a half to three pounds, wethers four to four and a half pounds. Mohair twelve inches. Have not made a practice of selling bucks for breeding purposes yet. My price for high grade does is $4 to $5 each." Mr. Wm. Horn, Camp Verde, Ariz., writes: "I do not breed any goats for breeding purposes. My flock con- sists of grades shearing one and a half to tw.o pounds for does, and two to two and a half pounds for wethers. Eight inch staple. "Have been asking $3 to $4 per head for my goats." Mr. Ira Harper, Clifton, Ariz., writes "I only have 190 head at present (September, 1899). Have sold and killed fifty head wethers that netted me $2.50 for the meat. I generally sel'. my wethers at eighteen months old and some at twelve months. "My entire flock averages two and a half pounds mohair measuring six inches long." Mr. J. F. Holder, Payson, Ariz., writes : "I purchased my first bucks from C. P. Bailey of San Jose, Cal. "My flock shears three pounds for does, four pounds for wethers. Mohair from nine to twelve inches. "Have been selling bucks to my neighbors at $15.00 each." Mr. T. Clome Miles, Silver Bend, Mont., writes : "My first bucks came from Sargent Brothers, Colorado. 'My flock shears three and a half pounds for does and five pounds for wethers, with a staple of nine inch mohair. "My price for best breeding bucks is $50.00 and does $20.00." Air. S. S. Brannin, Marysville, Mont., writes : "My Angora goats shear for does three pounds and wethers lour and a half pounds. I have never made a practice of breeding bucks for sale, My price for breeding does is $5.00 per head." Mr. J. S. Harris, Oakley, writes : "I have divided my flock of goats into three parts in order to be able to .oupply breeders with bucks more easily than from this point, which is very inaccessible. One of my subdivisions is located at Salem. Oregon, in company with ]\Ir. J. B. Early; another is at Montell, Uvalde County, Texas, in company with Mr. Geo. W. Baylor; and, the third, I have kept here. J70 A Nczv Industry. '"They are all practically the same kind of stock, as I have had only the one strain of blood for many years, which I selected myself m Asia Minor in 1875. I claim to have as pure-bred goats as can be found in the world. "For a number of years after my return from Asia there was very little general interest taken in the Angora goat industry in this country, and for that reason I did not save many more bucks than I wanted tc use in my own flock. I made wethers out of my males, and depended entirely on the proceeds from mohair lor the profit in handling them which has been very satisfactory. The recent revival in the demand for breeding stock has encouraged me to save all my male kids; and being situated so far from the center of trade I have divided my iiock as above stated. I have raised one buck that sheared as high as eighteen and a half pounds of mohair in twelve months in two searings, and fif- teen pounds at one shearing. I would give a thousand dollars to have another like him raised in Asia Minor." Dr. Tuttle, Tacoma, Wash., writes: "I received my first goats from Mr. McCorkle of Oregon. I have only a limited unmiber, and have sold my bucks for $"25.00 for breeding- purposes. My does shear six pounds of thirteen inch mohair, bucks eight pounds." Mr. Chris Niehson, Burlington, Wyo., writes : "My first buck came from Bailey of California, through Mr. Brom- ley of Utah. The flock consists of about 1500 head (August, 1899) and shears four pounds for does, six -pounds for wethers, of twelve inch mohair. I have been selling breeding bucks at $50.00 and does at $8.00." Mr. Jos R. HambHn, Kanab, Utah, writes : "I began breeding the Angora goat in 1897. My does shear two and a half pounds and over, wethers three and a fourth and over. My finest mohair is fifteen inches, some of it only twelve inches. "I do not raise any bucks for sale." Mr. R. C. Johnston, Lawrence, Kansas, writes : "I have only been interested in Angora goats about one year. Was attracted to them by their great utility as brush exterminators, and have imported and sold no less than five thousand head from Texas, which have been distributed mainly in Kansas, and some in Missouri. "I have decided to make the Angora goat a prominent feature in my farming interests in the future, as I regard them as being one of the most valuable species of live stock that I can raise. I purchased from Gunzer Brothers, Texas, their entire flock of goats only a month or two £■2 to OJ • •^ o o o =|2 (^ 3a O ?'*? S O 5) S ° O SS-e O ==■" W Pts a) Eh « Stj O -§5 2 r A i> Sfalci/iciifs of Breeders About Shearing Capacity of Goats. 575 ago, which consists of about 500 head of very beautiful goats shearing fully an average of three and a half pounds of fine mohair twelve inches long, in Texas, which will probably make them five pound shearers in this climate. Many of the does will shear upwards of five and six pounds at this time, which I shall select and use for a stud tiock and expect to sell my bucks at $"25.00 and upwards, according to shearing qualities. The does I do not care to sell yet. "The 'Gunzer' flock originated from the 'Devine' goats, which came out of the 'Peters' stock, and they out of the 'Davis' goats, originally imported from Asia Minor." Mr. Wni. J. Seever, Secretary "Missouri Historical Socie- ty," St. Louis, Mo., writes: "I purchased my first Angora goats from Dr. J. R. Standley of Iowa, in 1898. I have only a small number of them on hand and have none for sale at present. I know that the following farmers have some, but as to their price, or disposition to sell, I am not familiar: "A. A. Glassey, Cuba, Mo. "Sligo Furnace Co., Sligo, Mo. "H. M. Ruime, Pacific, Mo. "John L. Hooker, Clementine, Mo. "Charles T. INIoore, Nashville, 111. "George Dressendorfer, Macedonia, ^lo. "C. M. Buck, Union, Mo. "B. S. Knapp, RoUa, Mo. "G. Pauls, Eureka, Mo. "T,. L- Chamberlain, Rolla, \[o. "Wm. C. Dickinson, Rolla, ]Mo. "T. A. Murphy, Dixon, Mo. "John Regsby, Newton, Phelps County, Mo. "Charles Ruepple, Stanton, Mo. "Henry Frauz, Rolla, Mo. '■J. H. Canada, iMexico, Mo." ]\lr. A. Lippincutt, Sheridan, Mo., writes : "I first became interested in Angora goats in 1898 through Dr. J. R. Standley of Iowa. My does shear five pounds of mohair, eight inches long. I have been selling bucks at $10 to $15 and does $6 to $10." ^Ir. J. K. Young, Woodward, O. T., writes : "I purchased my first Angora goats in 1895 from Francis Garst. My does shear three pounds and wethers five pounds, mohair measures thirteen inches. Weight of wethers 100 pounds and does seventy-five pounds. My price for breeding bucks is $25.00 and does $15.00 per liead." 244 ' ^^ Nczv Industrv- Mr. O. D. Hill, Kendalia, West Va., writes: "I commenced handling the Angora goat in 189'2, which were per- haps the first that were taken into West Virginia. "My does shear about three pounds and wethers as high as six to eight pounds. Mohair is very long and ranges about eighteen inches. My price for breeding bucks has been $25.00 per head, and "breeding does the same."" Estate of James A. Bell, Bell Hill, Conn. : "Mr. Kansas N. Bill, th e executor of his father's estate, writes that they became interested in . the Angora goat upwards of twenty years ago, through Mr. Terrell of Cheshire, who obtained them from Col. Richard Peters of Atlanta, Georgia. "Have always had a sale for them at $18 to $25 per pair. "He mentions the following, other persons who are raising the An- gora in Connecticut: "Mr. James B. Palmer, Lisbon, Conn. "Mr. D. H. Van Hosear, Hurlburst, Conn. "Mr. C. B. Wood, North Lynne, P. O. address. Chicago, 111."" NORTH CAROLINA. Lafayette Holt. Burli|bgton, N. C. : . "I purchased my first Angora goats in 1893. "Have not been breeding for bucks, but will probably do so later on." < t <& 5 O t O = % 5- < ■= it Q % O S O = O i CHAPTER XXV. CLEARING BRUSHY LAND, AND HOW THE WORK IS DONE. The greatest profit in breeding the Angora goat is, perhaps, n} connection with the clearing up ot some old, worn-out farm that is grown up with briars and brush, and restoring it to a condition of fertility and usefulness , or, bv purchasing some native forest or stump land and converting it into good farming land. The latter plan has been followed, and is still carried on, with great success, in Iowa, Oregon, and California; and, the old States, in the East, ofifer many oppoitunities to carry out the former, which can be done by the purchase of some of the aban- doned farms in that section. In the more central States, like Missouri, Kansas, and Ark- ansas, farmers are troubled with a most aggarvating kind of growth, known as buck- brush, which produces a small red berry that bn-ds are very fond of, and they distribute them over the face of the whole country to such extent that, in some places, en- tire fields have been covered by the brush, which throws out a running root, and, in a very short time-, the pastures become ]Dractically worthless. No kind of stock will touch it, and it was a serious question among the land owners where it exists, as to what they could do to exterminate, or at least keep it back. They had heard of the Angora goat's great fondness for brush of all description, and the first experiment with them solved the problem, and it is getting to be quite common now for farmers in this section to have a small flock of these goats. In many other parts of our country and in Canada, the "Canadian thistle'' is the bane of the farmer, and stringent laws are employed to keep this worthless weed from spreading. The Angora goat regards this as one of the choicest kinds of diet, and takes o-reat delia-ht in eatins: it whenever it can be found. 2 48 A NcTV Industry. It is quite obvious that if a breeder can connect the raising of this animal for mohair, upon such lands as I have mentioned, the profits will be much larger than where he is compelled to rent land for the simple support of his stock. I have collected quite a mass of testimony from practical breeders who have had experience in their several States in clearing land which will assist new beginners in learning how this work is carried on. Dr. J. R. vStandley, of Platteville, Iowa, is deservedly entitled to the credit of introducing this practice into his State, which he began in 1893, by the purchase of some three or four hundred goats in Texas. His neighbors thought he was certainly de- mented when they saw him actually turn loose these animals on his beautiful farm, but they very soon began to realize that there was much method in the doctor's madness. Reference has already been made to the great success he acheived, and plates XX. and XXI, will convey a more correct idea of how efi^ectually his work was accomplished — making out of a worth- less thicket of brush a most attractive and beautiful pasture. Plate XIX shows a small bunch of Angoras at work on the farm of Mr. S. S. McKibben, of Earlham, in Madison County. It will be observed that the goats have gotten the brush all destroyed in the enclosure they are in, and are trying to reach the brush in the neighboring field, rather than eat the grass in their own. The third illustration, or plate XXII, was taken on the farm of the Hon. A. H. Edwards, of Audubon, Iowa, who writes me as follows : "I have had but limited experience with goats. I have used them for clearing up a pasture of eighty acres, in which about forty acres was densely covered with 'grubs,' (a species of burr-oak dwarfed, probably, by plains fires, as our land is naturally prairie.) "T have had in the pasture an average of 100 sheep and 400 goats for live months, and forty head of cattle for one month. Three weeks ago the oak leaves within reach of the goats were gone. I send you a photo- graph of my field showing the good work done by them." Dr. J. R. Standley, of Plattville, Iowa, prepared the follow- ing paper, at my request, giving a very clear statement of his experience in the matter of 349 •3 c a Hi oi o! 6C' CO s sc" ^ ■ «> - Clcarijig Brushy Laud, and Hotc flic Work is Done. ^^i HOW TO CLEAR BKUSH LAND WITH GOATS. "To commence this article I want to say that my exeperience in clearing brush land with goats has been entirely with Angora goats, most of them pretty well bred with about 300 'full-bloods.' "I can see no reason why the common goat would not be just as good. "I suppose I was the first man who ever tried keeping goats for clear- ing land of brush. I want to say, here, that I was in such a fix, I was compelled to do something. I had on hand several hundred acres ol land known as 'barnes,' and worse, some of it, for a great portion of it was so densely covered with hazel, plum, crab-apple, box-alder, witch- hazel, and other varieties of undergrowth known in this country, that hundreds of acres did not produce a single spear of grass of any kind, and not many weeds. Millions of acres of land in the middle Northwest of the United States is today so set with undergrowth that it is impossible to get even the worth of the annual taxes out of the land, in the common way of pasturing the kinds of live-stock heretofore kept in this country. "Little, very little, seems to be known of the use of goats in reclaim- ing the wilderness. The man who clears brush-land in the old way. by grub, hoe and plow, is behind the times. "Think a little, kind reader: It is worth from five or six dollars per acre to fifteen or twenty dollars per acre to clear brush land, and even then a great deal of the very best kind of grass land is too rough to plow. And besides, along streams, there are so many nooks and bends and bluffs, that never could be plowed; and, the pastures, many of them, after they have been pastured many years, become set in briars, buck- brush or turkey-berry, so that the grass nearly all dies. A few Angora goats will kill all this, and make more grass than if they were not in the pasture, "You can commence by cutting everything the goats cannot bend down, trees, bushes, etc. Never cut hazel: they like the old hazel best, and kill it better than the sprouts. "To fence for goats, 26 inch woven wire, and two or three barbed wires above, is the best fence I have ever made. I have some old- fashioned rail fence, Osage hedge, and seven-barbed-wire fence that turn them, but the first named, I call the best. "Two years is sufficient to kill hazel, and any stumps of any timber that grows in this Country (Southern Iowa). "Some people think goats kill bi-ush by eating it, but this is not so. Goats do not eat the brush, they only denude the brush of its leaves, and continue so to do, which makes the brush sick to the very extremity of the roots, causing the roots to die as soon as the tops of the brush, consequently, no sprouting. Land cleared in the old way will have more or less sprouts for many years, and nooks and bends in branches and fence corners which are a never-ending eye-sore. J52 V A Nezv Industry. "The goats do it more perfectly than any way. I have several hundred acres now as clean as a lawn, and as well set in grass, by the work of these pesky little animals. And not only clear of brush, but it is the common remark of all who visit my place that I have no weeds, or comparatively none. "Now for one minute more, kind reader, give me your full at- tention. "Say eighty acres of brush-land, bringing no revenue, is furnished with a good fence and two hundred Angora goats, good grade, that will shear three pounds per head of good staple mohair, mostly eight inches in length, worth now thirty-six cents per pound; this eighty acres will furnish all the feedi the goats need for one-half the year, the other half, feed as sheep. 600 pounds of mohair at 36 cents, $216.00. It is fair to say that one-half of this $216.00 is for the use of the eighty acres of land which is not worth anything for other stock. "I have simply given these figures to show that the goats will give near, or about, the same revenue as the same number of sheep, and live during the summer, on what no other animal will live on. Now, count three years to clear this land, and set it in grass, and you have the nice sum of $324.00 to the credit of your goats, and also the clearing of the eighty acres, worth surely $800.00. And aga'n, if your goats are one-h-.lf or more females, you have raised young as well, and as many as a like number of sheep. "Now, you have eighty acres of clear land and the clearing has cost less than nothing. Can you afford to leave that brush? Verily, no! Buy goats. If you can not get good grade Angora goats, buy common goats, and pure-bred bucks, and make money on the goats while you are clearing your land. When your land is cleared sell to that neighbor who needs them; he will want them before you are through with them. I am fully of the opinion that it will pay to keep Angora goats as W'Ced exterminators. The goat being a browsing and not -a grazing ani- mal makes him doubly valuable to the man with brush land. "It is not my desire to go into the uses to which the Angora goat may be put (except in a cursory way), except the clearing of brush land. This is not the only prfit of the Angora, by any means. Mohair, meat, skins to make rugs and mats, and milk, are sources of revenue from the goat. "Yes, verily, I believe the Angora goat a more profitable animal than the sheep, aside from his very superior qualities as a browser. "I do not wish to over-draw the Angora, neither do I believe I have so done. Nor do I wish to convey the idea that the sheep is an inferior animal. While I believe the Angora goat a better animal than the sheep, I think the sheep the next best animal." Eh V'. 1^ -Si O u s H si M a ? ^ to o Q '3-^ 0) s O O o3 ® <) S^ W Q * « J* Q la a g?^ > og Em &5 o |l Clearing Brushy Land, and Hoic the Jl\vk is Done. ^j^^ S. S. McKibben, Eaiiham, Madison County, says: "Referring to your inquiry as to the experience I have had with clearing off brush land by the use of Angora goats I would state, I was first attracted to the plan by reading a short article from the pen of Dr. J. R. Standley of Platteville, Iowa, and I later visited his farm and saw the wonderful work he had accomplished. Ipurchased a few at first and satisfied myself that they would do all that was claimed for them and I then determined to engage in the business of raising the Angora as a farm animal, for profit, and dealing in them generally. I began this business in 1897-98, and have imported from Texas and sold to other farmers in this State no less than five thousand head of these animals. I have thoroughly removed all the brush on my farm, and have had to secure other places to hold goats that I have received during the past year. The Angora goat is, in my judgment, one of the most profi- table animals the farmers of any country can keep where they are troub- led with either weeds or brush. They will eat, and do well, on any of the brush that grows in Iowa, such as sumac, hazel, buck-brush, elder, dog-wood, etc., but they do not take to the hickory very well; yet, if confined for some time they will remove this, too. "One hundred goats to forty acres of brush land will be quite enough to use. and they will kill it out in two years. The manure which these animals will drop, and distribute, over the land is really worth more than the little feed that is necessary to throw them in the winter time, to sa}' nothing of the improved grazing character of the land, which will be made into a most perfect blue grass pasture in our section of the State." Capt. T- ^lurray Hoag, of Maquoketa, Iowa, says : "I find the Angora goat a veritable gold mine as a brush extermi- nator. They not only clear the ground of brush and weeds but enrich it evenly as they work, thus giving the blue grass, natural to our soil, a chance to grow luxuriantly. As money makers sheep are not in it with the Angora. They not only live but thrive upon that which we consider of no value. They are free from the many diseases common to sheep. Dogs soon learn to keep their distance. Their hair as a textile fabric ranks next to silk, and lastly they are pleasant to handle and an adorn- ment to the farm. You are I think, right in recommending good grade does and full blood rams for the average buyer, as pure bred does are al- most beyond the reach of conservative men. By this combination good shearing goats are the immediate result and a prize flock yours in the near future. I am buying some high priced Angoras in both California and Texas, to say nothing of an importation I am making from South Africa, as my plan is to have representated in my flocks the S^6 A Nczv Industry. best obtainable strains, at same time I would consider it a slow business- but for the grade Angoras I have and am getting in considerable num- bers. "Sell all the grade Angoras you can and the day is not far distant when your patrons will reap their reward and thank you for directing them aright." Mr. J. C. Morton, Indianola, Iowa, says : "I got my goats mainly to clear brushy land and they have done it to my entire satisfaction. Not less than five goats to one acre of land is required to clean it up properly, unless the brush is very thin. They will kill all kinds of brush they can reach. "It is only necessary to confine them on the land you want to clear and they will do the rest of the work." Mr. A. R. Tate, Wintersett, Iowa, says : "Goats are being very extensively used for clearing land in Iowa. "The way I do it is to cut down the timber and let it sprout for a couple of years. They seem to kill it much faster thin if the sprouts are close to the stump. They will kill hazel better if you do not cut it down." Messrs. Morgan & Morgan, Clay, Iowa, say: "Angora goats are being used very largely in our State for clearing- brush land. Our experience has been entirely satisfactory excepting with black hickory. "Large trees may be cut down and the goats will keep the sprouts from ever growing and will finally kill the root." Mr. I. J. Booth, Cresco, Iowa, says : 'T have only handled goats a short tinje but am well pleased with the way they clean up brush and weeds. As to brush they beat the world. They take any and all kinds, oak, cherry, baswood, hickory, elm; in fact every green thing including weeds of all kind, except it may be the mullin. They will eat the thistle. My Avood lot is as clean as a road from both brush and weeds, and with clover to their knees. It requires cattle with them to eat the grass. Horses love to eat around them. Hundreds of people have visited my ranch to see how they can clear brush land. Just cut down any large trees and they will do the balance of the work without any urging. If I were a younger man I would make the Angora business a specialty." < o < w o o < ffl s Q " H ^ K S - Q Hrt 1-1 O - W =35 o SS Q pi's a 5 > 5 Cicoriiig Bnisliy Land, and Hozc the Work is Done. jjp- Hon. Thcs. H. Tongue, Hillsbcro, Oregon, says : "Yes, goats are going to be used very extensively, for eleaning brush land in this State. I have some for this purpose, otherwise, I think I would prefer sheep. ]My experience in this matter has been very sat- isfactory and I am, now, not only keeping all the goats I raise, but pur- chase whenever I can find a suitable opportunity. There are, however, very few goats for sale, and those who have them are learning to use them in cleaning land, very profitably. Some years ago, I had slashed off land, burned the underbrush when dry in the fall, seeded with grass, but it had grown up in a few years and soon became valueless. I finally hit upon the plan of using goats. ]My practice is lo cut all the brush in the spring or summer, run fire through it, and burn it up when dry in the fall, then seed with grass, and the next spring begin to pasture goats to keep down the leaves and sprouts of the brush. About two or three years in this way succeeds pretty well m killing all the growth. In the meantime, the grass becomes well set and furnishes good pasture until the stumps are rotted out sufficiently for the plow. It is difficult to say how many goats are required, more the first year than after. It de- pends upon the thickness of the growth. Our undergrowth consists of hazel, fine maple oak and other small shrubbery. If this is very thick for the first year it would perhaps take three or four goats per acre, but for ordinary brush land, two to three goats per acre seems sufficient. I have now in the vicinity of 100 acres where the brush has been pretty well killed by this process. The stumps are nearly ro^^ted out, and in a very short time it will be ready for the plow. I have about 300 acres- more that I am preparing to treat in like manner. The benefit that the goats do in this particular far more than compensates for the care, feed and keeping. In my judgment, the fleece and increase is clean profit." Mr. N. Woodword. Dallas, Oregon, says : "I first cut down the brush land and large trees, and then let the goats run on them until there is no more sprouting, and I then take them ofT until they all sprout again, and get about two weeks' growth, and I put the goats back again; and I keep this up until everything is dead. It usually takes two or three years to kill it out. and about the same time for the stumps and roots to rot out. Our land is covered with fir and oak. The oak trees are small, about the size of good fire w'ood, from 2y2 to 12 inches in diameter, and from 25 to 30 feet high. There is no kind of brush in Oregon but what a goat will eat." Mr. O. Dowell, Florence, Oregon, says : "My goats will eat all kinds of brush that grows here except the alder. We have great A'ariety of brush, including seven or eight kinds j6o A Ak-'zv Iiidiislry. of evergreens. I am clearing up brush in bottom land. I slash the trush and trees, then I burn the brush and immediately sow it to grass. In this climate it will make a good pasture nearly all winter. After it is up four or five inches, I turn my cattle, hogs, and goats in, and the goats keep down the sprouts. Goats will kill brush that has not been slashed, if they are confined on it long enough. I think it will take fifteen or twenty goats to kill one acre of heavy brush, such as grows here. Some of it is so thick that a man can not walk through it." Mr. D. A. Walker, Carlton, Oregon, says : "Goats will e.'^t all kinds of brush in this country, but poison oak and mountain laurel." Mr. Geo. A. Houck, Eugene, Oregon, savs : "As for clearing brush, the Angora is a profitable investment here, even at ten cents for mohair, as he makes more land every year, and •our coast mountains are capable of supporting at a low estimate five millions of goats, there being a country ten miles wide, and three hun- dred miles long, that is practically unsettled along the west side of Ore- gon, and is excellent feed for goats. The way I clear brush, I slash grubs, about twenty inches high in winter, making feed for the goats: then when the sprouts come out in the summer, they keep it down, and will kill oak in two seasons if kept on the pasture all the time." Mr. A. Blackburn, N. Yamhill, Oregon, sa3'S : "Nine-tenths of the goats owned in this State are used for cleaning up brushy land. We cut down all they can not reach the tops of. They will destroy hazel, ash, and willow, in a year; and oak in three years. I know of no brush that they will not cat. From one to three goats to the acre, according to the quantity of brush, is the usual number em- ployed in the work." Mr. J. H. Hawley, Monmouth, Oregon, says : "Goats are used extensively for clearing brush. They are used ex- clusively for clearing brush land in this S'ate. The usual way is to give them access to the pasture, and the brush will disappear in proportion to the number of goats used." i.Ir. Frank H. i^ogers, Gardiner, Oregon, says : "I have found the Angora invaluable in the matter of clearing up brushy and fern lands. In this locality they feed mostly, or browse, ■on sallall, thimbleberry, salmonberry, elders and fern, the latter being the great drawback to upland pasture land, as it grows so rapidly and Clearing Brushy Land, and Hoi^' tlic Work is Done. j6r thick as to shade out all other growths. Goats will peel the elder trees, some, in winter time, not exceeding four inches in diameter; all wil- lows; and all elders; some cherry trees (wild); but they do the best good tlestroying the j-oung sprouts of brush each season; the young fern as it comes up in the spring; and the buds; and bull thistles; and other obnox- ious weeds. Cattle do not object to running in the same pasture with goats, and I regard them a great advantage for they remove a great many weeds that are objectionable to cattle and a great eye-sore to the owner of the land." Mr. janies ^McDonald, Morrison, Oregon, says: "Goats are \"er\' fond of any kind of sprouts from the stump of the trees that are cut down. We have the oak, fine maple, cherry, and hazel. We cut it down when it is in full leaf, and in the fall we set fire to it. and the goats do the rest." Mr. W. D. Claggett, Salem, Oregon, says : "Goats are very extensively used for cleaning brush land in our State. They will eat nearly anything that grows here and we think they are a most profitable animal, much more so than sheep." "People are just beginning to find out the value of the goat for rid- ding the farm of brush and weeds. The way I clear brush land is as follows: "The valleys and foot-hills are covered with brush, principally oak- grubs, spotted with ferns and small citus. The land is first fenced, the brush and timber cut down, and burned, and then goats are tttrned into the pasture, wdiich are kept there until all stumps and small brush is dead. It requires from two to four years to kill oak grubs and from one to three goats to the acre to keep sprouts down. They will certainly exterminate all kinds of brush and are the "dead medicine" on all kinds of thistles. I will venture to say I can turn my goats into the worst patch of "Canada thistle" that grows, and they will exterminate them. They will never go to seed. The first thing the goat does is to take out the bloom." Air. Scott Obye, N. Yanihill, Oregon, says: "Goats are extensively used for clearing brush in this State. The number that it requires for one acre depends altogether on the charac- ter of the brush. The brush should first be slashed and then dried and burned, and when the sprouts begin to grow, put the goats on the land, and they will keep it eaten down, and will clear it in three years: and in most cases a fine stand of grass, for goats are excellent fertilizers, as well as land cleaners. Other stock make no objection to pasturing with them. In ordinary browsing, two goats to the acre is enough." j62 A A^czv Industry. Mr. Oscar Tom, Angora, Oregon, says: ■'Large timber and brush is slashed, or cut down in winter, or spring, burned when dry, sown to grass, and the goats keep the sprouts down. Where there is trash on the ground and small brush, and fire will run, it is burned over, and then sown down with grass, and the goats are then turned in, and they will tramp the soil, set the grass seed and keep the brush from sprouting again, or as we call it, they will 'grub' the land. W'liere there is much fern and one can get a burn occasionally it is best to burn early in the spring. It .does not hurt the grass roots much, and it inakes better range for the following winter. "Goats will eat all kinds of brush that grows here, and all kinds of weeds except the nettle, and I never sav>- a goat that would eat these. They are especially fond of thistle. They eat the blooms as fast as they appear, and wnll keep them down provided there are not too many for the number of goats." Mr. E. R. Williams, Redding, Cal., says : 'M girdle my large trees and cut the small ones down, and the goats do the balance. "We have nearly every kind of brush that you can mention." Messrs. Conklin Bros., Newville, Cal., say : '"Goati will destroy any kind of brush they can reach the top of, and will keep large trees from growing when once cut down. They wnll not let sprouts grow if confined." Mr. EL Maze, Upper i^ake, Cal., says : "The best way to destroy brush on land is to burn off the forest by cutting down some of the small brush and placing it around the larger trees. Every bush and tree that -s killed by the fire will produce -a new grov/th wdrich makes the best goat feed, and they will keep it down so close that in a few years will kill the roots, and your land is -cleared of brush." ■ Mr. J. M. Wimmer, Millville, Cal., says: "The way to make goats effective in killing trees, or bushes, is to -cut the trees and bushes down, and when the stumps sprout turn the goats in and they eaf the sprouts oft'. This, if followed up for two or three years, will kill the stumps." F. G. Smith, Skaggs Springs, Cal., says : "Some years ago, I moved into the mountains on a tract of land whose chief value consisted in the red wood and tan oak timber, which, •on account of the distance to market it for firewood, is of no value, Clearing Bnisliy Land, and Ho:c the JVork is Done. j6^ and acres of dense growth of various kinds of brush. Aside from a range for hogs, there was not grazing land enough to keep 100 sheep. After casting about what use to make of the brush, I finally decided to try a small bunch of goats. I heard of a man who had a small lot to sell, and from him I bought sixty head of does at $1.50. They were about one- half io three-quarter Angoras. ".-Vs *o clearing the land, I have not made a special object of the matter of enclosing a certain tract of land with that end in view. I can only speak in a general way. At the time I bought my start in goats, we built a shed and enclosed about twenty acres of land on a small stream. Near the waters, stand large red wood trees, a narrow fringe, outside of this were a variety of shrubbery, and saplings, with patches of grass growing between. The brush growth consisted of hazel, buckeye, pin oak, manzanita, and mountain laurel (termed pepper wood), black oak and madrone saplings. The goats were confined here until we though^- they were used to their new location. How long I do not remember: long enough, however, until they had stripped the leaves ofif every thing witiiin reach. They seemed to take kindly to everything except the laurel and poison ivy (or poison oak as it is called in Calitornia). Th..s latter vine or shrub is eaten by horses and hogs, but goats seem to be 'ndii¥erent to it. The hazel and buckeye seemed their first choice; these were stripped in short order. Then they went after the smooth, thin bark of the madrone saplings. These were girdled as high as they could reach. Oak and maple brush was also acceptable. The following" winter the saplings were cut down, also the tall brush, the tops of which were beyond the reach of the goats, and thrown into piles, ready for burning ■when they got dry; the stumps and stubble of course remained standing. The following spring this enclosure, which contained also an acre or two of good grazing land, was used as a kid pasture; in June, when ihe kids were about two months old, they were turned out with the does to shift for themselves. After that the buck and a small bunch of does were l;e]it up until November. The result was that there were but few sprouts left on the stumps, and the same process was repeated several seasons, or until we moved the corrals to another- part of the ranch. The third year the hazel had entirely disappeared, also the small-fry of other brush. The stumps of the saplings, and small trees were dead and decaying. Three years ago, we had about ten acres of land cleared for grazing purposes. The trees, a young growth of black oak and a springling of madrone, were cut down in windrows to facilitate burning later on. The stumps of both of these species of trees are, if left to themselves, the most persistent sprouters imaginable, and the land would have been covered in a few years, with an almost impenetrable mass of brush and saplings. The land was not fenced, but being on a high ridge, it was a favorite stamping ground for the goats. They roam over it jdd A Nczv Industry. nearly every day. The stumps are standing, but not a sprout is to be seen on any of them. I know a man who had a very brushy tract of iOO acres or more; he turned about thirty head of goats on it. and, of course, they failed to clear it, as the area was out of all proportion to the number of animals. Where goats are to be utilized for such a purpose it would be necessary to enclose a tract of land proportionate to the number of animals at j'our disposal. "We have dense brush thickets, eight to ten feet high, composed of pin-oak, grease-wood, manzanita, and a number of other species of brush wood. Nothing but hogs go through them. We open out such places with fire. With favorable wind and weather, a fire started below will sweep up a mountain side in short order, leaving nothing but short stubles behind. When the brush is not so thick it will run through it and open it out for the goats. After that, if the territory is not too large, the goats will keep open runways through it in all directions. This proceeding gives lots of browse. In speaking to my neighbor about this subject the other day, he mentioned a number of farmers in the valley who keep small bunches of common goats for meat. They have nice open pastiu'es. while those of their adjoining neighbors who keep none, are overrun with brush and weeds. He also tells me that his goats keep down the mountain laurel, or pepper wood." Dr. Titttle, Tacoma, Wash. : "Confine goats to brush land so that they cannot get out, and they will eat all the small brush that they can reach and will bark the smaller trees; and, if the larger ones are cut down, they will keep all sprouts from growing so that the tree will soon die." , Bticoda, Wash. : "My goats have been confined in a pasture this summer, and there is fine maple, soft maple, alder and elder ash, dogwood, boxwood, willow, hard hack, whitefire, redtire, cedar, all of which they eat freely of. They have the fir and cedar girdled up as high as they can reach, and about tvv'O and a half inches inches in diameter; the wjllow and other hard woods up to about four inches in diameter and about five feet high. They are sure death to all small brush, weeds, and thistles (com- mon bull thistle)." Mr. R. C. Johnston, Lawrence, Kansas, says : "My experience in handling the Angora goat during the past nine months has been that, those who purchased them wanted them for clear- ing up their pastures and brush land, more than for anything else. My personal experience in clearing- up land has been very satisfactory. They will eat the leaves of every bush that grows in Kansas, and are the only Clearing Bntsliy Laud, and Hozv the JVork is Done. 7,6j animal tliat will eat and kill out buck biush, a bush that grows two or three feet high, and bears a small berry in the fall. It has runners Hke the strawberry. The birds distribute, and stock scatter the seed by walking through it, and the result is it is ruining many of our finest pas- tures. "The Angora will eat all weeds that grow in the State as well. Our people are just beginning to realize their great value in converting worth- less products of the farm into gold; utilizing that which every farmer must labor and spend money to get rid of. "I have found quite a large demand for them from the farmers in Missouri, Arkansas and Iowa, for the same purpose as we are using them for. They will bark some bush, like sumac, crab apple, etc. I expect to see a very large industry developed in this, and neighboring States, in this valuable animal. ''They can be made to return a much greater revenue from mohair, and the sale of their meat, than can possibly be made out of sheep. They are much hardier, and longer lived; are free from disease; and will live upon what a sheep, horse or cow will not touch. Their meat will bring very near the same price per pound, as the sheep. Indeed, I believe it will soon bring more, for it is superior, because it is a much healthier animal, and their meat will soon be preferred to that of sheep. I have gone far enough wth the Angora to feel quite confident, that it will be a very popular class of stock with farmers, and I shall not be surprised if it does not displace the sheep in many cases." Mr. A. Lippincutt, Sheridan, Mo., says: "Goats are used altogether for cleaning up brushy land. I couldn't say exactly the number of head required to the acre. They eat all kinds of brush that grows here, except hickory or walnut. They are death on weeds. Blue grass has no attraction for them. They will peel trees live and six feet high." Mr. Wm. J. Seever, Secretary Missouri Historical Society, vSt. Louis, Mo., says : "I have travelled considerable through the Ozark (hill) region of Missouri, a country that, when the timber is removed, will grow a crop of sprouts and underbrush through which a dog can hardly travel. On a number of such tracts of land, where small flocks of goats were kept, 1 could not help but notice the efTects of their work. They will absolutely clean it of everything that they can defoliate, large saplings included.. Being the owner of a tract of just such land which was costing me $6 to $10 per acre to clean up, I concluded to try the goats. My exper- ience has been of but six months' duration, but I am satisfied they are invaluable on a well-fenced farm, and will more than repay their cost j68 A Nczv Industry. and keep, if kept only for this purpose. I have but a few head, mostly grades, and, on my farm, I have never seen one graze. They are also inveterate weed destroyers, and the only animal I know of that will eat the Canada thistle clear to the roots, a weed pest which most States legislate against, which no four-footed animal will touch, and the two- footed one likewise, unless compelled to. "In this brush country, the defoliage of the larger growth by goats is interesting and goat sense clearly applied. I have seen, time and again, two, three or four animals, bear down with their weight young trees that a single animal could not bend, hold the tree in position until every leaf was eaten oft. This repeated once or twice would kill it. Certain species will be barked as high as can be reached." Mr. C. D. Tiithill, Tuthill, Minn., says : "Goals are not, as yet, used to any great extent for killing out brush in Minnesota, but they should be. Brushy land can be cleaned cheaper with them than by any other means, and it is immaterial what kind of brush it is." Mr. A. G. Wilcox, Hugo, Minn., says : "Goats have not been used much in our State for clearing land, but they certainly ought to be. "When I first got goats I had fences that were all right for sheep and pigs, but the goats would go through somehow, and were some trouble until I put up a woven wire (Lamb's) of the Page type, and that was all right. No trouble since. "I enclosed twelve acres of open timber grown up to oak and hazel, to a height of four to six feet. The shade was too dense in places to grow any grass, but there were some places where the grass was very fine. The goats did not eat any grass, and I turned in horses enough to pasture it down close. The goats began on the brush and gradually cleaned it out, stripping ofif every leaf and twig, and leaving only bare poles. By September 1st, the brush wa'^ as dead, in appearance, as if a fire had swept through it, and I do not believe it will ever leaf out again. "A piece of about three acres which was eaten out by them last fall is dead and the brush is already falling down and rotting. "They will strip leaves off as high as they can reach on their hind legs. "I think they easily pay their way as brush eaters. "I want mp pastures cleared of brush but I leave my large trees for shade as there are only enough to make a fine open timber pasture." Clearing Brushy Land, and Hozv the Work is Done. j6p Air. C. S. Horn Chicago, 111., says : "About the first of the year (1899) I purchased an eighty-acre tract of brush land and was in a quandary as to how to get rid of the undergrowth and shrubs. In talking to some friends regarding the matter, the goat was suggested as being the best means, and I decided to purchase a carload of them and put them to work. About May 1st, 1 received them, and am highly pleased with the result of the experi- ment. I believe they have done more for me than five men would have done in the same time, working ten hours a day. I certainly can recom- mend them as being the surest and best remedy for rough, unbroken pastures. They are willing workers, will not 'strike' on you for higher wages, and will do excellent work. I shall probably want more goats next spring." Col. J. Wash. Watts, Montville, S. C, says: "I never knew of the Angora goat being used for exterminating brush. I know they prefer to browse rather than to graze, and that they soon clear their pastures of briars, brush, and weeds, but we had too few to depend on much work of this kind. "I have owned a good many, from time to time, but in changing my residence I let my son, John D. Watts, of Laurens, S. C, have my goats. Our trees are mostly oak and pine, which the goat cannot 'bark," Init they clean up briars and brush, willows, and such small trees. "There are so few kept in our State that very little is known of their habits." Messrs. Miller & Sibley, Franklin, Pa., say: "From the experience we had with the Angora goat we found them \o be invaluable as brush exterminators. One hundred can do the work of six men. "The ground should first be cleared, and the goats will do the rest by keeping the sprouts from growing. We found thej' would destroy everything except poison laurel." Mr. Lafayette Holt, Bitrlington, N. C, says : "Goats are not common in North Carolina. They can be made very ■useful in clearing up brushy land. I do not know of any large lots. "I am well convinced they will clean up old farms and brushy land in fine shape. The great objection I have to them is they will destroy my peach and fruit trees " jyo A New Industry. Mr. O. D. Hill, Kencialia, W. Va., says : "Goats are not used for clearing up brush in this section, but I am well satisfied they will destroy anything in the shape of trees, bushes, briars or weeds, unless it may be poison ivy, and laurel." Mr. James A. Bill, Bill Hill P. O., Conn., says : "I keep my goats (about 75) for the purpose of keeping down brush and weeds, principally, though I derive a considerable revenue in selling males for breeding purposes. My experience has been that they are not at all particular as to what kind of brush they have to eat. They will take most anything that comes in their way. I have been breeding them for the past thirty years, and have found them the most profitable part of my farming." WP^ST TEXAS. It may appear strange to many who have always pictured Texas as one vast stretch of prairie that trees and brush thickets are becoming very dense in many portions of the State, and, unless something is done to check the growth, large sections will soon become worthless for grazing cattle. This is more particularly the case in the Southwest, beyond the Colorado River ; and, strange as it may seem, this growth has taken place in the last twenty-five years. I can very well remem- ber when it was possible to distinguish an animal as far as the eyesight could reach, in places that are now so thickly covered with mesquite, live oak shin oak, sumac, etc., that it is impossible even to ride a horse through it. The explanation of this is doubtless due to the fencing of a country which was formerly open, and the home of the bufifalo and other wild game ; to hunt which, the high prairie grass would have to be burned off every fall and winter. Travellers, too, would often set fire to the grass from their camp fires by acci- dent, which would, sometimes, burn for weeks at a time, killing all kinds of vegetation. This is, no doubt, the way that all tree life in this section of Texas had been destroyed which is now coming back, because the ranchmen are careful to guard against fires getting started within their enclosed ranches. There has never been any attempt made toward removing this growth of brush, bvit it is quite evident the time is very near when some agency must be employed to do so, or many of our finest cattle ranches will have to be abandoned. Clearing Brushy Land, and Hon' flic Work is Done. j/z Mr. Wm. R. McKee, of Junction City, Kimble County, tells me that he has some neighbors who have cleaned a consid- erable amount of brush land such as shin oak, live oak, sumac, etc., by the aid of the goat, and that he had done so himself with a portion of the land he is now cultivating on the Llano River. He says : "Cut down all brush and then turn in the goats and they will keep down the young sprouts. Let the goats remain on the ground one-half the day in the spring up to October 1st. "It takes about seven goats to the ?cre. "My neighbors, B. F. Pepper, and J. D. Armstrong (since deceased), have cleared considerable land in this way. They will exterminate everything except the mesquite in two years' time." Mr. B. L. Crouch, Pearsall, Texas, says: "The black chapparell in this portion of the State is too stubborn for the goats to destroy to any extent though they will check its spread. They are a success destroying the cockle-burr, in fields, and pastures." It is not unlikely if the black chapparell referred to by Mr. Crouch was first cut down and burned, as is done in Oregon, it would greatly assist the goat in getting rid of the growth. CHAPTER XXVI. HOW TO TELL THE AGE OP AN ANGORA GOAT. The age of an Angora goat may be learned, approximately^ by an examination of their teeth, which are thirty-two in number,, (twenty-four grinders, and eight incissors)the same as with sheep. The eight incissors are located on the lower front jaw bone, six of which are born with the animal, and two, (one on either end of the set) a few months after birth. There are no teeth on the upper front jaw.) The eight incissors are first called "Milk IcctJi," which disappear, and are replaced by a permanent set, as the animal advances in life. The first two, (the central and largest) become loose and are pushed out by two new teeth within a year or eighteen months after birth, when it is called a "yearling" or "two tooth." The second two, (on either side of the first,) are next re-^ moved in about two or two and one-half years, when the animal is said to be a "two-year-old." The third two, (on either side of the second, )when the ani- mal is between three and three and half years of age, and then it is called a "three-year-old." The fourth two, (on either end of the whole set.) when the animal is four years old, and over, when it is called a "full month." After this period, the age must be guessed at, and can only be conjectured through the general appearance of the animal, the character of the horns, and condition of the teeth. At the age of four, the animal is supposed to be in its prime, after which it will begin to descend in the scale of vitality, and as a producer of mohair, though the changes will be so slight as to be hardly observable from year to year. Hoiv to Tell tJic Age of an Angora Goaf. 373 The incissor teeth will sooner or later begin to wear on top, and will grachially wear away until they are mere stubbs, and quite even with the gums of the mouth, which, ordinarily, takes place about ten to twelve years of age, when they are called "toothless." This wearing process, however, is governed by the character of food the animal has to eat. If it has very little sand, or grit, the teeth will probably remain sound for a much longer time. Fifteen and sixteen years, is not an uncommon age for goats to keep their teeth in fairly good shape ; and if they have clean, soft, food to eat there is no reason why they should not remain even longer than this. Many instances of twenty, and twenty- two years are known. The general appearance of the incissor teeth are about the same in all goats, but are smaller in some than others ; and. the two end teeth, are sometimes very small indeed. CHAPTER XXVII. HOW TO FEED ANGORA GOATS FOR MARKET. The Angora is a quick feeder, and will take on more flesh than a sheep in the same length of time. The best age to feed is after they have reached maturity, or between four and six, al- though they will fatten easily at any age. They take to any kind of grain almost as soon as they are placed in the feed-lot and will, consequently shrink very little, owing to their changed condition of life. Two bushels of corn, with as much clean timothy, or clover, hay as they want, ought to put them in prime shape, fed in six- ty days. Corn should be fed lightly at first, say one quarter to one-half, pound for the first few days and gradually increased for a week or ten days when they should have all they can eat. When corn is fed on the cob, the cob should be broken in two, or more pieces. Wheat screenings makes a very fine feed. Indeed, the Angora will do well on any kind of grain. They should have free access to water, and hay and a shelter to go in and out at will. If they are troubled with lice they shoud be dip- ped, (see "Lice on Goats") as the continued itching interferes with their feeding properly. The following letter from Mr. Jas. R. Hamilton of San Angelo, Texas, who has perhaps fed and shipped more sheep and Angora goats than any single shipper in the State of Texas during the past ten years, will give his views about Cotton Seed Meal and Hulls as a fattening feed : "San Angelo. Texas, Nov. 25th, 1899. "Wm. L. Black, Ft. McKavett, Texas. "Dear Sir — Answering your favor of 19th, in regard to feeding goats will say, I consider cotton seed meal and hulls the best feed for goats, or mutton either. I think the winter time is the best time to feed and Hoiv Fed for Market. jy§ the animals should be put on feed before they shrink too much with cold weather and bad range. If in fair flesh when put on feed, sixty to seven- ty days will finish them. If fat they will always sell on the market about fifty cents per hundred lower than fat sheep. You should begin to feed about one quarter of a pound of meal to three of hulls and in- crease the ratio of meal, proportionally, for fifteen days, at that time, would aim to have the ratio of meal about one pound to two and a half of hulls per day per head. "Yours truly, "J. R. HAMILTON." Mr. S. S. McKibbin of Earlham, Madison County, Iowa, writes as follows : "I have fed the Angora goat wether for market and was agreeably surprised at the rapidity with which they can be fattened. If they are received in the spring, and are allowed to run on our hazel thickets until fall, it will take but very little corn to 'finish' them. If taken direct from the range it is best to start in slow and gradually increase the feed. I started with one-half pound corn to the ration and gradually increased this until I gave them free access to the feed and I think two pounds a day is all that a goat will require. They can be made ready for market in sixty days. I had a plain straw shed in the lot for shelter, and a stack of hay and oat straw for them to go to at will." Mr. R. C. Johnston, Lawrence, Kansas, says : "I fed and fattened 500 wethers last fall and am feeding 500 more now (April, 1900). I have been surprised to see how easily and rapid- ly they can be fattened on corn. I feed shelled corn and wheat straw. They fatten in one-third less time than sheep and my exeperience has been so satisfactory I intend feeding goats hereafter for the profit in feeding." Air. T}son of Blair, Nebraska, in a letter to Mr. A. L. Johns of Chicago, which may be read under Chapter XV. on "Angora A'enison," says : "That his profits had been fully as great taking into consideration the money invested, as he ever made in feeding sheep." CHAPTER XXVIII. DISEASES OF THE ANGORA GOAT. If there is any one feature, above another, that should com- mend the Angora goat to the American farmer, it is his complete immunity from disease. They have been handled in the United States for over fifty years, in the North, South, East and West, with the same uniform exemption from sickness, a record that no other kind of live stock can boast of in this, or any other coun- try. In South Africa they are subject to both scab and pleuro- pneumonia, or a contagious lung-sickness, supposed to have been communicated to their goats by some imported stock dur- ing the latter part of 1880 ; and, although prompt measures were used to check the spread of the disease it had so good a start, it was impossible to stop it until a large number of the animals had died, or were slaughtered, estimated to have been 38,200 head Referring to this unfortunate affair Mr. Schreiner says : "Pleuro-piieumonia is indigenous lo Asia Minor, being most com- mon and dangerous in low-lying ancJ damp situations. It does not exist always in a severe form, but at times it assumes an epidemic charac- ter, and a most virulent and deadly form sweeping the Angoras off by hundreds of thousands. There is ' no record of it having appeared out of the country to which it is indigenous, except in the outbreak in the Cape Colony. On its appearance here it was quite unknown to vet- erinary science, so Mr. Hutcheon had to break new ground. It is a con- tagious disease, closely analogous to pluero-pneumonia in horned cattle; and if it had not been promptly stamped/^out. would have obtained a gen- eral hold on the Angoras of this country, and have needed ceaseless combating, just as lung sickness in cattle does. In time, like other dis- eases which are so deadly on their first introduction to a new country, it would probably have assumed a milder form; but it needs no argu- ment to prove that Mr. Hutcheon did the country an iu'-stimable ser- vice in eradicating it at onCe. Diseases of flic Angora Goat. ^yr "The disease in the Colony was in a most virulent form; every goat in every flock in which it appeared was attacked, and the mortality running sometimes as high as eighty per cent. The death rate was high- est among those first attacked in any flock, probably because they were peculiarly susceptible, and lowest among those last attacqed. It is a dis- ease conveyed by direct contagion and not an infectious one. The germs are not conveyed great distances by the wind. The course it runs may be divided into two periods: First, a period of incubation, or latency, from seven to ten days; second, in full strength, from ten to- thirteen days, the exact course depending on the susceptibility of the animal. "It is remarkable how long the disease was latent in the imported goats. Some of them were observed to have it when the consignment left Constantinople in the last of October. It did not break out during the voyage, nor was it, in the first instance, observed among the imported goats in the Colony. In both outbreaks it appeared among Colonial flocks as soon as the imported goats were put to them, at Mount Stew- art, at the end of December, and in Bedford a month later, two and three months after the shipment left Turkey. The fact that it did not break- out during the voyage and until Colonial flocks became infected, may perhaps be accounted for on the supposition that some of the imported goats having had the disease in Turkey, retained diseased lungs, as is sometimes the case with horned cattle here, that have recovered from lung sickness and yet are capable of infecting healfehy cattle, because their lungs remain more or less locally injured and diseased for a long time. With regard to others, it would seem that they had either had tlie disease and recovered, or that coming from a country where it is al- ways prevalent, to some extent, often in mild form, they were not very susceptible. If the report be true that, after the INIount Stewart out-' break, several of ]Mr. Evans' imported rams,* which had, so far, been healthy, contracted the disease and died, the above supposition would seem to have strong support; it would seem to prove that such animals had somehow secured an immunity in Turkey, but that the disease having been conveyed to the Cape flocks had acquired a virulency sc potent that the immunity they had hitherto enjoyed was not capable- of being sustained. But, whatever the explanation, it is certain that these goats brought the disease from Turkey. South Africa should guard itself well against its reintroducton." See Schreiner, pp. ■223-"2'24. It is quite possible, as Mr. Schreiner says, that, the Turkish goats carried the disease to Cape Colony, but it would be very hard to convince an American jury to think so from the explan- *It is difficult to say whether this is intended to refer to a goat or a sheep, which is a good illustration of the importance of using the tenuL-. "buck" for male and "doe" for female goats. j/8 A Nezv Industi'v. ation that he makes. It is to be hoped they may never have any more such trouble but it would be weH for American breed- ers to keep both Turkish and Cape Colony goats in cjuarantine for a reasonable time after arrival if they should import any, in order to be certain they are entirely free from both pleuro-pneu- monia, scab and Asiatic mange, all of which diseases they seem to be liable to. Whatever the cause may be, the United vStates is certainly favored over all other nations in breeding Angoras for, with the exception of a few minor complaints, not a single breed- er in any of the States, has ever discovered any sickness among them. SCAB. This very troublesome disease seems to be natural with sheep, but the insect that produces it will not live on a goat. T liave kept Angoras in a flock of sheep that were infected with scab, for weeks at a time, and have never seen the slightest in- dication of the disease on any of them, and have never heard of a breeder who has known of their having it. Mr. Schreiner says : "The Boer goats are subject to a very virulent kind oE scab, pro- •duced by a different acarus to that which affects Angoras. In the early days, when it was not understood how to cope with scab, and when there were no dipping tanks, it was not uncommon in a severe drought, for •whole flocks to be exterminated by this disease. See Schreiner page 174." Asiatic scab is said to have been brought to this country by an importation made by Mr. Eutichedes in 1870. Referring to it in a pamphlet published in 1872 by Maj. Wm. E. Sweet, assis- ted by Mr. Wm. M. Landrum, the latter gentleman says : "Mr. Eutichedes did not know anything about the disease until liis goats were found dying off at a fearful rate with it. He wrote to Asia for a remedy and was advised to use sulphur and lime, in a hot bath, l)ut ii: failed to effect a cure. I gave him a remedy. Tobacco, and cor- rosive sublimate. I have heard of but twelve dying since, which were too far gone to recover." Regarding the remedv Mr. Landrum savs : "(100) One hundred pounds of strong tobacco, (400) four hundred :gal!ons of water, (10) ten ounces corrosive sublimate dissolved in double Diseases of the Angora Goat. J7P' t!ic ([uantity of sal anioniac. with warm water, or a tobacco decoction and mix tlie whole before dipping. Pulverize the medicine frst. as ii dissolves faster. The dip should be warm when used." And he adds : "We may never be troubled again. There arc several remedies that will cure the scab if taken in time. In fact, most of the remedies used for scab in sheep will cure the mange, or scab in goats if applied strong enough. Tar and grease is good but the remedy is rather ex- pensive and tedious. Tobacco and corrosive sublimate is cheapest and most effective, and will never hurt the goat unless he gets strangled by plunging and swallows too much of the. decoction. Too much sub- limate will produce irritation and kill the goat. The parasite of the scab in goats is a different parasite from that in sheep and does not readily if ever, take hold of a sheep." WORMS. Goats are seldom troubled with worms internally, or in the nose, as sheep are; but, like all other animals in the South, are subject to have an attack from the scrczv-zvorm, if they are in- jured in a manner that will cause blood to flow. At shearing- time this is common, unless the shearers are careful not to cut the skin. These worms are produced from an egg, deposited on the cut, by a large, green fly, called a blozu-fly, which prevails only in hot weather, and are especially troublesome in Texas. Chloroform is a cjuick, and effective remedy, and calomel is. also ; but, these are more expensive than carbolic ointment. \vliich is more commonly used, as well as some of the prepared ^heep-dips, for curing scab, particularly "Cannon's Dip," which will destroy them very promptly. Tape Zi'oniis are occasionally found, though very seldom, if the animals are kept in a thriving condition. Turpentine ad- ministered in half ounce doses upon an empty stomach will be found effective. Regular salting, with plenty to eat will be found the best wav to prevent goats from having tape worms. FOOT-ROT. Some American l^reeders have reported that their goats are troubled with foot-rot, which is no doubt the case, if they have been allowed to range on marshy land, but it is more than like- j8o A Nfzv Iiidustrv. ly most of the cases are only sore feet produced from wading in water, or walking over damp grass, caused either by rain or heavy dew, which is quite common. This, however, will seldom last very long after the animal has been moved to a dry range. There is no doubt but that foot-rot will result from confin- ing the animals to a pasture that has very damp soil. Poivdercd blue stone, after first trimming the hoof, will effect a cure ; or a solution of nitrate of silver. Fine tar is also a very good remedy. SCOURS. Are likewise mentioned by some breeders which is usually the result of something the animal has eaten, and can be corrected by removing the flock to a different range. Or, if only a few goats are affected, by taking these out of the flock, and giving them dry feed for a few days. POVERTY IN WINTER. Poverty is perhaps the most fruitful cause for much of the so-called sickness that the American goats have. It is very un- wise to permit goats to get very poor in flesh if it is at all possi- ble to avoid it, and a little money expended in grain, or cotton- seed, will often return a very large profit by saving the lives of goats that would otherwise die for the want of sufficient nourish- ment during the winter. During the winter of 1899 some alarm was created among a few Oregon breeders, caused by what seemed to be a new kind of disease, and in referring to the matter the "Oregon Agricul- turist and Rural Northwest" of Portland, says : "A number of Angora goats have been received at the Oregon Experiment Station this winter which were supposed to be attacked by the disease reported in many localities last winter. Post mortem examination of these goats failed to disclose any new disease. One of them was found to be wholly sound internally; another was affected with tape worm, while another had an affected liver. Dr. Withycombe is inclined to the opinion that the mortality among the goats is for the most part due to no special disease, but a low condition of the system :-at this time of the year which makes them easily succumb to various Diseases of the Angora Goaf. ^8i diseases, colds, etc. He recommends as a preventive more care in providing food and shelter from the rains. The Experiment Station will, however, continue the investigation of the matter as thoroughly as possible." The same paper adds: "Dr. McLean, State Veterinarian, a few days ago visited Marion County to ascertain what was the trouble with a flock of goats, one- third of which had died within a few days. He pronounced the trouble a dietic one resulting from improper and insufficient food and advised the changing of the goats to another pasture in which brush was abun- dant. After the change, so far as heard from, no deaths occurred." CHANGE OF CLIMATE. Some cases of sickness, and death, have been occasioned by moving Angoras from the South to the North during the winter months. This is not at aU unreasonable when we reflect upon the radical change that the animal is called upon to undergo. Mr. S. S. AIcKibbin of Earlham. Iowa, has had considerable ex- perience in this respect, and says : "I have never lost a goat when they were taken to Iowa in the spring or summer, but have invariably lost more or less when they were re- ceived during cold weatther." PILES Or something of a like nature, will sometimes appear in goats, more particularlv on old ones, though it will occasionally be seen on young does. A good remedy is to tie a string, tight, around the part exposed, and let it slough ofif. Or it might be cut Qfif, and seared with a red hot iron, if it should bleed too much. ABORTION. Goats are rarely troubled with abortion unless they have eaten something that disagrees with them during the period of gestation. A sudden change of weather, over-feeding, pastur- ing on frosty herbage, sudden alarm, or, being chased by a dog. or wild animal, may produce abortion. ^82 A Nciv Industry. A goat is very fond of acorns, and when these are abundant will often gorge themselves with them which frequently causes them to abort. A doe if regularly fed and watered, and kept well protected from stormy weather will seldom miscarry. POISONING. Will occur once in a while from eating some kind of weed, or bush, but will rarely ever kill the animal. A dose of castor oil, linseed oil or other purgative medi- cine, will usually afford relief. Rattle snake bites are less frequent than one would suppose they would be in some sections of the United States. This will always cause great inflammation an^l will surely result in death if an artery is cut ; but, when this is not the case, the animal will recover in a day or two. The most common remedy is to pick, or puncture, the swol- len part with some sharp pointed instrument, for which purpose the Mexican herders think the leaves of the "Spanish dagger," (a plant common to Southwest Texas and Mexico) is the best. If the bite is seared with a red-hot iron, or is burned- with a lighted match, or some other flame, in order to produce a blis- ter, it will have the effect to draw out the poison, and if this is repeated several times (always breaking the blister and washing the parts before making another) it will draw out all the virus deposited by the snake, but of course this remedy must be used immediately after the animal has been bitten, as otherwise the poison will be too much chstributed through the system to be withdrawn by the action of the heat. LICE ON GOATS. This can not properly be called a disease as it is not consti- tutional, and is very similar to fleas on a dog, or lice on a chicken. They are easily seen and can be readily removed ; but. as a gen- eral thing the American breeders have paid but little attention to the matter until quite recently, when a number have conclu- ded it is best to dip the animal in some kind of solution to re- move them. Diseases of the Angora Goat. ^8j The only evil effects resulting from lice is a continual itch- ing, which prompts the animal to scratch itself, with its horns, no doubt causing more or less loss of hair, as well as to disar- range the fleece. If the animal is relieved of this annoy- ance it will naturally thrive better ; and, when it is intended to be fed for market, a good dipping will certainly be worth much more than one-half the feed. Indeed it is very doubtful if a goat will ever be able to reach its best condition in flesh as long as it is troubled with lice. I sold a thousand head of young wethers to Mr. William Hatcher, an extensive feeder of sheep in Sycamore, Illinois, in 1898, that were not taking on fat as well as he thought they should, and, after running them through a dipping vat they im- proved with remarkable rapidity. The kind of dip to use is altogether a matter of choice. -Many of the sheep dips will kill lice but some are more expensive than others, and some very troublesome to prepare. Dr. J. R. Standley of Platteville, has always found arsenic the most practical remedy, which is said to remove lice so ef- fectuall}- as to make it unnecessary to dip more than once in two years. One pound of arsenic to sixteen gallons of water are the proportions he recommends. Lime and sidphnr will kill them, but it is very liable to blind the goat. Tobacco and corrosive snhliniate has been recommended. (See remedy under head of Scab). The carbolic dips will doubtless remove them as well. In South Africa the "Cooper Dip," is almost the universal remedy, which is composed largely of arsenic. A great variety of these dips are on the American markets, and it would certainly be wise for breeders of the Angora goat to use them. There is very little doubt in my opinion, but that the increased growth of fleece, which is always incident to an improved condition of the animal, will more than return the cost of dipping, to say nothing of the more attractive appear- ance of the fleece, and the great relief that it will naturally afford the poor animal. CHAPTER XXIX. CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ANGORA GOx\T /;; pastures. If you are raising goats in an enclosed pasture it is only necessary to see that your tencing is of a kind that will keep them within bounds, and that you have sufficient brush, and water for them to subsist on. A shed or house, to shelter them in, in bad weather, is a necessity in the Northern States ; but, in a warm climate this can be dispensed with, though it is better to provide something of- the kind there, as well ; for, a few cold rainy days will reduce the flesh on a goat much more than twice the number of days of starvation will do; and, besides this, it is always well to have shelter for them after shearing, and for the little kids during the kidding season. A very good way to economize on space in making shelter for goats is to build platforms in the order of steps, sloping to the eves of the roof. The first step, or platform, should be three feet from the ground, which the goats will soon learn to jump; the remainder need only be one foot high, which will admit of three platforms, or steps, three feet wide, for a ten foot wide, shed, seven feet high, which, practically, gives nearly twice the capacity of the ground space. Goats are very fond of a high place to sleep on, and they will all want the "upper berth." Salt should be given at regular intervals, say once a week, unless it is arranged so they can get it whenever they want it, which is the better plan, and with a small number, is more eco- nomical. Rock salt is very good, though I have always preferred to use granulated. With these provisions, the instinct of the animal will guide it better than you can ; the fleece will be heavier, and the animal will keep in much better condition than under herd. A goat is PLATE XXXVI. THOROUGHBRED ANGORA KIDS— AFTER WEANING. Bred aiul raised by Mr. Jno. S. Harris. Oakley, Idalio, from stock imported from Asia Minor in 1870. Care and Maiiagcinciif of tlic Angora Goat. ^8/ naturally very domestic, and will soon become attached to home- surroundings ; and, if a shed is provided will seek it whenever it is necessary, but unless it is a very bad night, they will prefer to bed outside in the open air. Pasturing n'itli other stock makes no difference whatever, and is rather an advantage, as the goat will eat what a cow or horse will leave, and the removal of the brush, briars, and weeds, will make the pasturage much better. If there should be any hogs in the enclosure they should be removed during the kidding per- iod, or they are liable to devour many of the young kids soon after birth, or during the first few weeks of their lives. They are very sleepy little things and will seek a shady spot and sleep for hours at a time until they are two or three months old when they will begin to follow the mother in her daily rounds. Sheep may ])e run in the same pasture with Angoras wdthout any danger of their crossing. Dogs are not liable to kill a goat if there are a number of grown wethers or bucks in the flock. When they make an at- tack, the goats generally bunch together, and the younger ones, get under cover of the wethers, whose defiant air will soon in- timidate the dog; but, it must not be supposed that there is no loss from this source. Oftentimes a few young goats will i)ecome separated from the flock and be killed ; and, in a country where the ■zco/f and zvild-cat abound, there is considerable loss, particularly in the small kids. Fcnci)ig made of seven barbed wires is cpiite close enough to hold goats provided the stays are placed, say four feet apart so that the wires will not spread. A goat will not jump over a fence but will crawl through it very much like a hog, and, unless the wires are kept tight it is difficult to confine them. A rail-fence is very good if it is constructed properly. It should be built so that the panels will not lean outward, as a goat can climb up a very steep place if he can find a foot-hold. A rock- fcjiee will not do at all, unless it has a shelf on top. The best kind of fencing is made from zvovcn xvirc, and, taking into con- sideration the repairs on other kinds, I am inclined to think they are the cheapest in the end. A four foot zvovcn zvirc fence will hold them with perfect safety. .388 A New Industry. Breeding. The pure-bred, or the very high-grade does, come into season between August and September, and are sus- ceptible up to first of February. They, ordinarly, produce one kid, but will occasionally have twins, more especially the older ones. Lower grades are m.ore prolific and some have been known to breed twice a year. The hicks come into season between the months of July and August, and, if they are permitted to run with the does at will, the kids will begin to come in February or March. The buck, if pure, may run with the does from first of February to first of July without risk. The common buck will breed at any time of the year, and low grade Angoras are liable to do so. Great care should be observed in removing buck kids when they are five months old, as they are remarkably precocious, and will often breed at that early age. T have known a buck at eight months of age to produce ninety kids. The doe kids should be removed before the buck is turned into the flock as it is best not to breed these until the following season. Tlic period of gestation is between one hundred and fifty and one hundred and fifty-five days ; or, about five months. The breeding of does should be governed by the climate in which they are being kept, and it should be so arranged that the kids will not be dropped before vegetation has fairly started. It is quite common for a doe to refuse to own or even recognize her young owing to this cause, and it is therefore best to always be on the safe side, and be a little late, rather than in advance of the season, as this will insure a full flow of milk on the part of the mother, and there will then be no losses in kids if reasonable at- tention is given. One buck is sufficient for fifty does turned loose, or he will serve as many as two hundred if kept up and "hand-bred." If there are a large number of breeding does it is well to hold the bucks in a separate enclosure and place one-half with the flock in the morning and the other half in the evening. The bucks should be fed about one pound of corn, or two pounds of oats, night and morning during the breeding season. Corn on the cob should be broken in pieces. Barley or wheat makes a good feed. The entire flock should be fed a little grain, Care and Maiiagciiiciif of the Angora Goaf. S89 in the winter months, with hay, clover, or oat straw. Com in the shock is very good, and with this assistance, and the freedom of the pasture, to browse on the Hve twigs and dead leaves, they will go through the winter very satisfactorily. Cotton seed or cotton seed meal, and hulls, makes very good feed also. Goats are very fond of all kinds of nuts that they can break easily. They are especially fond of the acorn, and when the yield is large will often eat too many, which is liable to cause abortion. If eaten in moderation they will do no harm. On the open range, if goats are held under herd, and re- strained of their liberty, it is proper to locate in some place where a variety of brush is to be had, and within close proximity to good clean water. Range, and zvater, are the great essentials to success, and the wider the range the better. It is difficult to estimate the exact number of acres that are necessary for any given number of goats, owing to the difference in browsing facilities. The judg- ment of the breeder must be brought into play in this regard. It is not an uncommon mistake for flocks to be held too long in one place. They should be moved as often as once a month, and of- lener if convenient to do so, which will give the brush a chance to grow new leaves, and thus keep the entire range fresh, and in good condition. Almost any kind of brush will answer, and if there are weeds to be had in addition, it will be that much the better. Water should be as near to the range as possible, not over two miles from camp. It is supposed by many that goats do not require water, but this is a great mistake, and they will cer- taiinly suffer if they are deprived of it when they want it. In the winter months they will drink very little and have been known to do without it altogether for months at a time ; but, it is best to give them the opportunity of drinking at least once a week during the cold weather, and oftener, as spring approaches. In the heat of summer they should have water once a day though it is quite common to only water them every other day. Salt should be fed once a week, in such quantity as they will eat up clean. Between twenty-five, and fifty, pounds will be ;^po ■ A Ah''W Industry. quite sufficient for a flock of 1500 for a single salting. It is usually placed in small piles either on the clean grass, or a rock. It is well to have a regular day to salt, and the flock will soon learn to look for it, and will remind the herder of his neglect if he should fail to remember it. Shelter, from cold zviiid, is ver\' necessary, and in select- ing a camping place this should be taken into consideration. The slope of a hill, on the south side of a thicket of brush ; or, behind a high blufi^, is a very good spot for the winter ; and in summer, a high position on the sloping side of a hill, is very suit- able. It would be better, of course, to have a covered shelter as there are many cold rains during the year which will make goats shrink very considerably ; and, the losses after shearing and in kids, during a kidding season, will more than cover the cost of building sheds if it were practicable : but, the fact of having to move camp so often presents an obstacle that is hard to over- come in this particular. The only remedy I can conceive of is,, to have portable sheds made something like a tent, which could be moved from camp to camp. They can be made in sections of ten or fifteen feet, with hooks to connect them to each other,, and in this way a shelter of any required dimension could be had at a comparatively reasonable cost. Flocks are generally made up of one thousand to twelve hun- dred liead, though it is quite easy for a herder to attend a much larger number, and as high as twenty-five hundred in one flock is not uncommon. The smaller the number the better, however,, as they are more apt to receive better attention from the herder and a greater supply of food. The wethers are placed in a sepa- rate flock, usually, which is known as the "dry flock ;" and, at weaning time the kids may be put with them, which is commonly done except when there are enough to make a flock of zveanlings when a few old does are required to gradually educate the little fellows how to herd. There is no serious objection to mixed herds except at breeding time, when the breeding flock should be- kept entirely separate, and distinct from all others. Culling out old does is an important work to attend to, in shaping up a breeding flock, and if you are not able to tell ages by an ear mark, the teeth should be the guide, and all does that Care and Management of the Angora Goat. :?p/ have poor months should be left out, as well as any ill-shaped or poorly graded animals. It is customary to cull out does after they are six years old, as they have then seen their best days and will go down in the scale of vitality, and as producers of mohair after that period. They wall make very good breeders, however, up to a much greater age, and it is not advisable to cull out well graded stock, under ten or twelve years, tmless you want to re- duce your holdings. Breeding, on the open range, is done practically the same as in a pasture. One buck should be provided for fifty does, and they should be placed with the flock, alternately, one-half in the morning, and the other half in the evening. The bucks should be fed grain night and morning, which greatly assists the herder in making the necessary change in animals as they will come forward for their regular feed, into the feeding pen, or cor- ral, when they can be shut in and the others turned into the flock with very little trouble. Thirty days time is quite enough to serve all the does, which is the custom on all large ranches, when all of the bucks should be removed to either the dry (wether) flock, or turned into a small pasture. The keeping of bneks is a great annoyance unless you have proper arrangements for doing so. When they come in season (July 1) they will be restless and will try to run away, which they often succeed in doing and will sometimes get with the breeding flock a month or more before they are wanted, which makes great trouble at the kidding period. The best plan is to have a small bnck-pastnre, made of seven barbed wires, with stays every four feet apart to secure them. Herding is a very simple kind of work, apparently, but it calls for more skill than one would suppose, for goats, to do well. Any one can herd, but there are, comparatively, few who can herd properly, and it may therefore be called a professional oc- cupation. The Mexican is perhaps the best class to be found for this work, as they have been more or less trained to it m their native country. The herder should be ready to leave his camp as soon as the flock leaves the bed-ground : and, in place of staying at the 393 A Nc:y Indu::try. rear end, driving them on, he should be in the extreme front, holding the leaders from traveling too fast. The animals should be allowed to scatter over as much territory as they care to, as long as they remain in sight of each other. Bells should be placed on about one, to one hundred head, which should be fas- tened securely by a leather strap and buckle, around the neck of the animals. These are a great help to the herder, in many ways, and will often guide goats into the flock that may have ven- tured a little too far off. In the evening the counitng of the bell- goats and other noted animals, will aiiford reasonable assurance to the herder that he has not lost any during the day. Loose herding, or, in other words, permitting the goats to go and come at will, has never been very satisfactory except with a small flock of fifty, to one hundred, which can find browsing without going too far away. If a lot of kids are raised by hand they will become very much attached to a place and will rarely ever stray off; but old goats are hard to locate, and give much trouble. Shepherd dogs are all right in the hands of one who under- stands them, but it is not wise to permit every herder to use them for they often do more harm to the goats, then a fine range will do them good. A herder, as a rule, keeps a dog to relieve him- self of walking. This makes him lazier than he naturally is and in a short while will want the dog to do all the work and he draw all the pay. The most serious objection is that, dogs are seldom trained properly, or, it may be, that the herder is just commencing to teach one, which will run the goats continually, and bite them. If the dog has been raised with the flock from a puppy it will afford great protection to the flock, and is very useful. I know of a number of ranchmen who have small flocks that they keep with the assistance of dogs trained to go out in the morning and bring the flock back to the corrals in the evening. A large dog is the best, as these are less liable to be afraid of a coyote or wild cat. A puppy should be placed with a doe that is giving milk before its eyes are open. It is best to have two, as it will make them bolder and they are company to each other. Corrals are only used for penning goats when it is necessary to doctor any of them, or work the flock. These can be made Care and Maiiagciiicnf of flic Angora Goaf. 5P? more cheaply out of brush, cut down and placed in a circular form large enough to hold the entire flock, with a smaller corral alongside, communicating through a gate. In case of a blizzard, or very stormy night, it is proper to corral the goats, but, ordi- narily, they will do better to bed on the outside. A cuffing cJiufc is a very necessary thing, which is, usually, placed at headquarters where the shearing is done. This is used for separating or "cutting-out" certain goats from the flock for any purpose. It is usually placed on one side of the corral, and is constructed out of 1x6 plank about three feet high, wider at the entrance, and narrowing down to about fifteen inches wide at the centre, which width is continued to the exit, wdiere a gate is hung, giving entrance to two corrals. A man holds the cut- ting gate, and as the goat approaches he works so as to ha-ve the animal go into either corral he desires. A dipping vat is another essential on a well-arranged goat ranch. This should be placed convenient to water and con- structed so that the goat can swim through a vat made narrow enough so that it cannot turn around. At the exit an inclined plank should be placed , leading from the vat, to a dripping platform, where it can rest until the medi- cine has dripped back into the vat. It is customary to make these vats fifteen to 100 feet long, about three and one-half feet deep, and eighteen inches wide on the top, tapering to twelve inches at the bottom. They are some- times constructed out of rock and cement, which is the most economical in the end, though a little more expensive at the start. The dripping pen is also the best wdien made out of mas- onry, though it is cjuite common to use 2x12 lumber for the vat, and ordinary inch plank for the dripping pen, with a railing, made like an ordinary fence, to hold the animals while they are •dripping. If only a small number are to be dipped a large molasses barrel can be used and if this will r'ot do, a small portable vat large enough for one animal can be made.. A camp riisflcr should be provided for every four flocks, whose duty is to move camp, haul water and provisions to jQ/l. A Nczv Industry. herders, make corrals, hunt up stray goats and do whatever work may be necessary in connection with the ranch when not employed at his regular duties. A herder's outfit consists of : One small A tent. One baking skillet, small. One coffee mill, small. One bread pan, small. One frying pan, small. One coffee pot, small. Knife and fork. One large and one small spoon. One tin cup and one tin plate. One kettle for heating water. One barrel for drinking water. The herder is supposed to furnish his own blankets and bed- ding. He is furnished regular rations monthly, which are as follows : Thirty pounds of flour. Eight pounds of beans. Four pounds of sugar. Four pounds of rice. One pound of baking powder. Twelve pounds of fat bacon or lard. Four pounds of coffee. One quarter of fresh goat meat r week, which is, sometimes, changed for lean bacon. Shearing is governed largely by the inclination of the goat to shed its hair. In the Southern States this usually begins in February; and, in many cases, nearly all the animals will lose their entire fleece by the first of March, which necessitates shear- ing sometimes in very cold weather.'' It is best to delay shear- s-It was Laurence Sterne, I think, who said, "God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb;" but, if this was ever a law of nature, it was changed long before Texas engaged in raising sheep, and goats, for I have seen both lambs and kids frozen to death the night after they had been shorn of their fleece. Care and Maiiagciiiciif of iJic Angora Goat. ;.q^ ing until the weather is mild, if possible; but. inasmuch as the does sometimes begin to drop kids early in ]\Iarch, it cannot well be delayed beyond the first days of this month, in manv of the vStates. The first of April for the South and the first day of ]\Iay for the North, would be a very good season if it can be so arranged. Some breeders sJicar tzvicc a year, which they maintain is made necessary owing to the extreme length of the hair. ( )thers claim that goats can be made to produce more mohair if shorn twice, which is true, but it is not advisable to shear more than once unless your mohair will meastire over six inches at each clipping. Take for instance an animal that will produce a seven- inch staple in twelve months' growth : If shorn in the fall it will shear say five inches, and, in the spring.perhaps, three more; but both clippings will be very much inferior to a single clip of seven inches, and will sell for considerably less per pound; hence, what is gained in one respect is lost in another. The shearing season in Texas is the harvest for a large num- ber of Mexicans who organize in gangs, or companies, of from ten to fifty, under a captain, who enters into a contract wnth dif- ferent owners for shearing at a stated price per head, either with board or without it, as the owner may prefer. The price is, usually, two cents per head with board, or two and one-half cents without. The captain is supposed to superintend the shearing and see that the men imder him do not injure the ani- mals, for which service he expects a little extra pay, usually SI. 00 for each thousand goats shorn. A sweeper, and a cook, must be provided, wdio are paid by the (lay, which is paid by the owner when board is furnished, and by the shearing company when they board themselves. Ordinary sheep-shears are commonly used, but it would be much better to have a clipping machine to do this work for it is a very important matter to have a uniform staple, and it is impos- sible to obtain this by the old-fashioned shears. - The loss that results from careless clipping of mohair in the United States can- not be much less than twenty per cent, in noilage or short liair. jg6 A Nczv Industry. which has been ah'eady referred to under chapter : "How to Pre- pare Mohair for Market." TJic sacking of mohair is arranged by suspending the sack- in a frame, and pressing it down by the weight of a man who gets in and tramps it as close as he can by his own weight. Ordi- narily 175 to 200 pounds can be very easily packed in a six-fool burlap wool sack, which is quite enough. An iron ring is first fastened around the mouth of the sack which is then placed in the frame. Each class of mohair should be kept separate, both as to length of staple and fineness of fiber, and all colored fleeces should be packed in a small pocket and then be deposited in one of the larger sacks. Shearing sheds are usually made with poles and brush to shade the men, and plank, or wool sacks, for a floor. It is, of course, best to have a proper shed, constructed with pens on the side to hold the goats, and sufficient space for packing and stor- ing the clip. 77?^ kidding season is perhaps the busiest time of all others on a goat ranch, which calls for an enlarged working force, and a considerable increase in expenses. About one month before this season commences (as before stated this should be governed by the climate where the goats are being bred in), the kidding camps should be selected, and corrals made so that there may be no confusion when the little strangers begin to arrive. The camp rustler can generally find time to make these at odd times, which are constructed practically the same as all other working corrals. It is well to select a spot that will combine shade from the sun, and protection from the cold wind, for the season includes both of these extremes of weather, in many places. The corrals should be made large enough for as many does as are in the flock, with a small corral connecting to place motherless kids in. One such corral should be made for each three hundred kids, and when these have come, the flock should be moved on to corral No. 2, where three hundred more are left, and so on to the end. Can: and Management of the Angora Goat. :;Qy Two men should be placed in charge of each corral, the one to herd the does, and the other to attend the kids, and see that they do not receive injury, and that they all get sufficient nourishment from their mothers. If anv doe should fail to suckle her kid she should be tied every night by the horns, and by one hind leg as well, close to where her kid is tied, until she is willing to own it. The herder should range near the corral and come into camp at noon and evening to let the kids suckle. It is, sometimes, necessary to mark the kids in order to tell them from others, but this is only resorted to when the doe is a poor mother. Different colored paints are used, placed on certain portions of the body, always observing to mark the kid \vith the same colored paint and in the same place as the mother. In case of twin kids, one is usually given to some doe that ma}' have lost her own, which she will soon learn to recognize if the plan of tying her, over night, is practiced for a few nights. The most common wav of holding kids is, tying them by one leg to a peg, driven into the ground, even with the surface, so that the string will not become entangled. This string should be of hemp, about twelve or fifteen inches in length and should be changed from one leg to the other whenever it . begins to bind. It is not unusual for kids to suffer very severly if this is not attended to properly, and in many cases the little animal will have a very sore foot which will often slough off. When kids are two or three weeks old they can be turned loose and allowed the freedom of the corral. A much more humane way of confining them is in a pen, made about three feet square by about sixteen inches to twenty inches high, which the mother can easily jump into and is quite high enough to hold the little animal until it is large enough to be turned loose in the corral. Kids. — The kids should not be allowed to go out with the fiock until they are about two months old, as they are liable to steal off into some thicket of brush and be lost. As soon as it is practicable to do so, the kids in dift'erent corrals should be bunched together and thus reduce expenses in labor. Great care should be used to keep the doe with the J9S A Nczv Industry. kid for some time after birth, so that she may become fully -acquainted with it, which she does very soon through the scent, and will always be able to pick it out of any number in this way. Kids that are dropped during a cold , drizzling rain are almost certain to perish, and hence, a shelter will pay very well at this season, which has been fully explained under my treat- ment of "vSheds." PLATK XXXVII. A DOE BRINGING HER KID TO CAMP. This is a custom followed by Mexican herders. The kid is tied by "all fours," and suspended on the neclv of the mother, as shown in the plate. When kids are dropped on the range the mother should not be disturbed, and if inclined to be restless, she should be tied either by the horns, or by one leg, to some convenient tree, near her kid, until the flock is ready to return to camp, when the camp helper should come out and assist in collecting up those that have been dropped. A common way of conveying them to camp is by tying their legs together and suspending them on the neck of their mother, Care ami Maiiagciiiciif of the Angora Goat. jpp as shown in plate XXXVII. This is a very good way to keep from mixing- them, and it is not at all inhuman, as the little things do not seem to suffer any evil effects from it. Castrating should be done as soon after the kid is able to stand up. as practicable — say in one week after birth. The end of the bag is first cut off with a sharp knife and th'e little seeds drawn out until the tender cord that holds them breaks asunder. This operation seems to give little or no pain when the animal is less than one month old, but the longer it is delayed the more l)ainful and dangerous the operation becomes. A lot of early altered male kids are hard to distinguish from the females when they are a year old, while the late altered ones look "staggish," and resemble the buck somewhat. Docking, or cutting off the tail, is unnecessary. Marking, is commonly done by cutting off a part of one, or both, ears, which greatly disfigures the animal, but this makes no material difference, except wifh fancy stock. A sys- tem of notches is sometimes used to distinguish age an sex which is very useful in cutting out from a flock as the animals pass through the chute. To tell sex alone, it is quite common to alternate the ear mark on the doe, and wether, kids, for instance : The wethers are marked in the right ear, and the does, in the left. Punching a hoic in the ear has been abolished for the reason that the goat is hable to have the ear torn by catching it in the brush. Tattooing is a very good method to use in marking pure- bred stock, which can be done with colored inks on either ear without the slightest disfiguration. Branding on the cheek, or nose, in addition to some kind of ear-mark is sometimes practiced, and is perhaps the surest way of being able to distinguish a goat that has been stolen, and the ear-marked changed. IVild animals that depredate upon goats consist mainly of the covote, or prairie wolf, and wild cat. The fox will sometimes steal a kid but is not considered verv troublesome. The coyote is perhaps the worst of all owing to his greater cunning, and 400 A Neiv Industry. strength. They will not molest a flock in camp very often, though they will occasionally venture up to the outer line, and catch a goat while the herder is asleep. A camp fire will often keep them away. 'They are more to be dreaded when a bunch is cut off from the flock and are lost for a night or two. It is on these that the coyote gets in his work. He will, generally, get them scattered and destroy the last one if they are out a few nights. All this talk about goats being able to defend them- selvefe from the attack of a wild animal is news to me. Some writer in Dr. Hayes' book claims that he put some goats in his flock of sheep to protect them from wild animals. If this is a fact they must have been a different species of goats from the kind that are raised in Texas. The loss from this source has been fully five per cent., on an average, and has been much greater than this with some individual flocks. The loho, a very large kind of coyote, will often do great damage to a flock. The use of strychnine is a very good way to get rid of them, but, both the coyote and lobo, are very cun- ning about taking the bait, and it should be put in the meat in small ca.psules. The carcass of a dead horse is a good thing to poison on a range, and will often remove a number of these pests, if well poisoned with strychnine. Trapping them is often resorted to, which is followed as a steady occupation by quite a number of men, who receive pay by the head from the owner of the range, in addition to a bounty offered by many of the States. CHAPTER XXX. NOTES FROM PRACTICAL BREEDERS. For the purpose of learning with what success the breeding of the Angora goat had been attended, in different parts of the United States, as Avell as the different customs of breeders in handling the animal, I sent out the following list of questions : 1. Do you find ready sale for vour wether goats? 2. A\'hat country would you prefer to import new blood from. 3. Are you in favor of a register for thoroughbred goats? 4. Have you found your section well adapted to raising goats ? ."). Do you herd your goats? G. Do you run them in a pasture? 7. Do you pen them every night? 8. Do you have sheds for them in winter? !'. Have you found goats better able to defend themselves from wild animals than sheep are? 10. Do you feed your goats in winter? 11. Have your goats ever been troubled with disease? 12. Do you practice dipping for lice? 13. Have you found goats objectionable to run with other kinds of stock? 1-1. Do you shear your goats once or twice a year? 1."). What do you consider a fair crop of kids from 100 does ? 1(). Do you have many twin kids? IT. Do you have many black, yellow, or off-colored kids? IS. What has been your percentage of loss from death per year ? 19. Are goats used much in your State for clearing brush land ? ^02 A New Industry. To the foregoing questions I received the following replies : Rev. D. S. Babb, Sonora, Texas, says : "I only herd my goats when kidding. "A six-wire fence will hold them. ■'I pen them at night only in stormy weather. "Have never shedded them. "I have seen as many as 2,000 goats in one flock. "If goats are not kept under herd, or very carefully watched, I estimate ten per cent, loss from wild animals, and strays. "I do not dip for lice regularly. "I think it is best to shear twice a year. "I breed generally 25tli October. "I do not have many twins from high grades, and but a few off- colored. M. R. H. Wyatt, Sonora, Texas, says : "I have found our country very good for goats. "I only herd during kidding time. "I loose herd them at other times. "A seven-wire fence will hold goats, or a five-wire fence with pickets, or rock imderneath, say two feet high. "I always pen at night. Have never shedded. "I find goats are good to protect the young kids from attack of dogs or wolves. "I have never fed any in winter. "I have never dipped for the lice. "Have never had any disease. "I usually breed October 25th." Mr. John Brown, Sonora, Texas, says : . . "We have, in recent years, had no trouble in selling our mutton goats to feeders, but formerly had very little demand for them. "Am in favor of importing new blood from any place that we car find better stock than we have already. "I keep some goats in pasture, though most of them in flocks. My fence is a seven-barbed wire. "I never pen goats except when I am working with them in kidding time. I do not shed them, but it would be the better plan. "I run 1,500 head in a flock. "I never feed, but it would be of great advantage sometimes. "I estimate cost of running goats 40 cents to 45 cents per head per year. "I dip for lice. Ahtcs — Practical Breeders. ^oj "Begin kidding 1st of April. "We have generally twenty or twenty-five per cent, twins. "Very few colored kids. "Our losses are about one per cent, from death. "A goat will shear one pound more that is sheared twice a year. but it will not sell for as much by 6 cents to 10 cents per pound as ii sheared only once." Mr. H. W. Galbraith, Montell, Texas, says : "We sell muton goats readily at either local markets, in San An- tonio, or Kansas City. "We do not need any new blood from either Turkey or South Africa. "We run from 1,250 to 1,500 in a flock. "We estimate 48 cents per head the expense of keeping goats, includ- ing shearing, kidding, and range. "We sometimes dip for lice, though not as a regular thing. When we do, we use lime and sulphur. "We begin breeding the 1st to 20th of October. "Have very few twins and seldom any ofT-colors. "W^e have less than five per cent, losses, not including those killed by wolves. "I raise dogs with my goats which I find a very great advantage, enabling me to bed out regardless of the wild animals." Mr. Wm. M. Landrum, Laguna, Texas, says : "We have no trouble now in selling all our wether goats. "I am in favor of importing new blood from the Cape of Good Hope. "I think it will be a very difficult matter to have a register for Angora goats. "I have found them better adapted to this part of Texas than any other kind of stock. "We herd our goats sometimes and pasture sometimes. "Our fencing is made of barbed wire. "We only pen at times. "We keep anywhere from oOO to 2,000 in a flock. "The goat is, perhaps, better able to protect itself from wild animals than a sheep, but will not do so always. "Foot-rot is the only trouble we have had in the form of disease, and this only occurs where the pasture is wet or muddy. "It is well to dip goats in tobacco and corrosive sublimate, dis- solved in salamoniac, for the lice. (See receipt under diseases.) "Low-grade goats will increase at the rate of 125 per cent, to 150 per cent. High grades, eighty per cent, to 100 per cent. 404 A Nezv Industry. "Pure breeds have twins about one to ten does. '"Low grades will often have off-colored kids. "Percentage of loss from death is about three to five per cent." Mr. Jeff Pepper, Rock Springs, Texas, says : "We run 1/200 head, in a flock. "Cost of keeping goats we estimate at 25 cents per head. "We begin breeding October 15th." Mr. Henry Fink, Leon Springs, Texas, says : "We would prefer to pasture goats, but cannot do so on account of wolves. "We run them m flocks from 800 to 1,200. "Wolves seem to kill goats as easily as they do sheep. "We only feed poor goats in winter cotton seed. "Estimated cost of running goats, 20 cents per head, including shearing. "We begin breeding October 1st. "Our losses average two per cent., except losses from wolves.' Mr. J. M. Arnold, Montell, Uvalde County, Texas, says : "We have no trouble to sell wether goats anywhere, but usuallj^ ship to Chicago. "I do not think we have any need to import new blood, as I believe we have as good as there is in Turkey or South Africa. "We have found this country excellent for goats. "We run from 1,200 to 1,600 head in a flock. "We only feed one stud flock in winter. We feed corn and wheal bran. "We estimate cost of expense of handling goats 50 cents per annum, including shearing. "We occasionly have sore feet, owing to rainy weather. They should never be penned in a muddy or wet pen. "We dip sometimes for lice. Use 'Cannon's Dip.' "We find goats advantageous to pasture with other stock. "We shear in October and March. "Begin breeding October 10th. "We have very few twins of late years. No off-colors to speak of. "Some kind of shelter for goats in cold rains in winter, would be of great advantage. If kept dry, cold will not injure them. We bed flocks in camp, and never pen except to count, or shear, or when kidding. "If they are penned in a damp corral they will take what is termed 'foot evil." It is not 'foot rot," but a very troublesome disease of the A'ofcs — Practical Breeders. 405 feet, and they are never troubled with it when they have a dry place to travel and herd over. "I have found Angora goats to be the most profitable animal we could raise here. Have been breeding them for twenty years, and I look for a grand future for the business in the United States. "We have never used them for exterminating brush but have observed they will make a grassless thicket a meadow in a few years. Mountain ranges are greatly benefitted by goats, as regards growth of grass." Mr. C. Dissler, Juno, Texas, says : "We do not dip for lice, but after shearing use coal oil, which we apply with a rag, and find it removes them. "We breed October 1st. "Have but few off-colored kids; some red ones. "Our losses are not heavy." jNIr. James Patterson, Junction City, Texas, says : ''We have had no trouble in selling mutton goats. -We run 1,500 to '2,000 in a flock. "We estimate Go cents per head the cost of keeping a goat per year. "We use sulphur and lime when dipping for lice. "We begin breeding November 10th. "Our losses from death are about one per cent. Messrs. Doughten & Luttrell. Lipan, Texas, says : "We find a ready market for our mutton goats at Fort Worth. "We pasture our goats only in winter. In summer we run them in flocks from 700 to 1,400 head. "We do not think there is much difference between goats, and sheep, as far as dogs and wild animals are concerned. "We feed cotton seed and hay in winter, costing us 20 cents for two bushels seed for the head. We begin kidding generally by March 10th." "Out of 600 does we had one pair of twins this year, and four black or oflf-colored ones." Col. W. W. Haupt, Kyle, Texas, says : "For a goat-proof fence, I make one of barbed wire, with the three bottom wires five inches apart, then* widen. "I feed in bad weather cotton seed or corn, sprinkled on tlfe ground. "My goats never cost me a cent. I allow them to run loose. 4o6 A Nezv Iiidiisfry. "I dip in anything but a sulphur dip. "I have found goats an advantage with other stock. "We shear twice a year or we would lose goats by tangling up in brush and briars. "We begin breeding as soon as they come in season in the fall. "Have twins very seldom in pure and high grades. No ofif-colored kids except from goats under third cross. "Never saw a goat die." Mr. Geo. W. Baylor, Montell, Texas, says : "I keep some goats in a six-barbed wire fence, but herd the most of them. "I only pen my thoroughbreds, and shed them as well. "I run 1,200 to 1,500 in a flock. "No sickness or disease, but have had some few die from poison. "We use Zenolium, or Little's Dip, for lice. "They do finely with cattle, and no drawback to the cattle. "We kid in March. "The higher the grade the less twins. Three per cent, oft'-colored in grade flock. None with the thoroughbred flock." Hon. B. L. Crouch, Pearsall, Texas, says : "I am no longer in the goat business, but cheerfully give my experience when I was handling them. "I never had any trouble to sell fat goats. "From Oakville, to El Paso, I think, equals any place in the world for raising goats. "A seven-barbed wire is enough to p?sture goats. "I always bedded my goats. Never penned them at night. "I used to run 1,500 to 2,000 head in a flock. "As to their self-protecting quality, I found that they could outrun sheep, but wolves are very fond of them. "Cost of keeping goats from 30 to 40 cents. It depends on locality. "I used to dip in sulphur for lice. "I don't think it is proper to run sheep and goats together, the latter travel too fast. "Kidding shoifld begin here about March 1st. "Ninety to 100 per cent, is an ayerage kidding. "I do not recollect my percentage from losses. I owned goats from 1872 to 1893. "If we could get rid of the wild animals, Texas would be a paradise for the goat. "I think the present tariff on Mexican breeding goats should be removed in order to enable breeders to get some does from that country free of duty. Notes — Practical Breeder. 407 "I also favor a high rate of duty on mohair to encourage the American breeders of goats. We ought to raise all of our mohair and goat skins, and can easily do it with proper tariff to encourage the industry. "It seems to me that associations should be formed to bring in more thoroughbred goats, as was done in the forties and fifties by the Illinois farmers with the short horn cattle, which has resulted in such great benefit to them and the United States at large." Mr. D. G: Avery, Marathon, Texas, says : "I find market for wether mutton in El Paso without trouble. "Our mountains are especially fine for goats. "We run 2,000 in a flock. "Cost of keeping we estimate at 30 cents per head. "I do not dip for lice but think we ought to do so. I favor lime and sulphur. "We begin kidding March and April. "With large flocks, ninety per cent, increase is about our experience. In small fiocks the increase should be greater. "Our losses are greater some years than others, but usually very small." Mr. J. W. Garrett, Mountain Home, Texas, says : "Our country is adapted to raising goats as well as any I have ever seen. "We run from 1,500 to 1,750 in a flock. "I have no sheep, but the wolves bother my neighbors' sheep much more than they do my goats. "The cost of running goats depends on how many you have in flock. We estimate about 121/^ cents. "We begin breeding October 15th to November 1st. "About two-thirds of our old does have twins, some of them triplets. "We have some yellow kids." Hon. R. H. Lowry, Camp San Saba, Texas, says : "We run 500 to 1,500 head in a flock. "The only objection I see to goats in a pasture with other stock is they tramp the grass down. "We begin breeding October 5th to 10th. "We have very few twins and very few off-colored kids." Mr. H. B. Marshall, Austin, Texas, says : "We have no trouble to sell all our mutton goats in Austin. "Am building a cedar picket fence to pasture my goats. 4o8 A Nctv Industry. "I only have about 500 head. "My kids generally come about March 20th. "Do not have many twins; and, about one in a hundred off- colored. "My losses have never exceeded two per cent." Mr. J. D. Hunter, Junction City, Texas, says : "The altitude of our country is 1,800 feet above sea level. "We have a wire, and picket, fence. "We begin breeding in October. "A crop of kids with us is often 150 per cent. "Our losses are nothing" except by wolves or cayotes." Mr. Tom S. Evans, Exile, Texas : "We have found ready sale for mutton goats in local markets and Kansas City. "The altitude of our section is 1,200 to 1,400 feet. "We herd mostly, but pasture some. Our pasture fence for goats is a seven barbed wire, with stays every three feet apart. "We only shed occasionly. "We run 1,000 to 1,500, but prefer 1,000 in a flock. "We only feed a little in winter. Sorghum and cotton seed. "We estimate cost of keeping goats at 30 to 40 cents per year. "We begin kidding about March 20th to 25th. "We have from twenty-five to fifty per cent, of twin kids. "Seldom any off-colored; a few black ones once in a while." Mr. H. T. Fuchs, Tiger Mill, Texas, says : "I sell my wether goats as mutton in my own neighborhood, with- out any difficulty. "I am in favor of a register, if it can be conducted honestly. "My goats always come to the pens at night. "Small flocks do better than large ones. "I have lost heavily from wolves. "We sometimes cut live oak bushes in winter to feed. "Have had some to die from eating green persimmons. "Have never dipped for lice, but think it is a good plan. "I find goats a benefit to other stock rather than a disadvantage. "We shear in September and March. "We have nothing but pure white kids." Mr. Wm. R. McKee, Junction City, Texas, says : "I allow my goats to run loose, except during kidding time, when I place them under herd. Notes — Practical Breeders. ^^op "My pasture fence has only six wires. "I pen only for the purpose of doctoring for screw worms, or during the kidding" period and for shearing. "The cost of keeping my goats does not exceed 20 cents per year per head. "I begin breeding by the 15th to 'iOth of October. "Loss from death is not very great. "I consider my goats as of great benefit to my other stock in keep- ing down underbrush, and eating up noxious weeds. "I have never had any difficulty in selling my wether goats for mutton purposes." Hon. Thos. H. Tongue. Hillsboro, Oregon, says : "Our pasture fence is principally rail the corners kept straight with stakes wired together. "We pen and shed only in the winter. I have found that they require shelter from rainy weather more than sheep do. "Have had much less trouble from dogs than with sheep. "The cost of keeping is very small. We consider it practically nothing. "We feed but very little in the winter, and then only straw and brush. "Have never known of any disease among goats in this state. "I have never had occasion to dip. I feed sulphur with the salt } give them and this seems to keep them free from lice. 'Have had best success in breeding commencing latter part of November or first of December. "Aly percentage of kids has been very small, but I attribute it to carlessness of my hired hands — a want of knowing how to manage them. "Have very few off-colored kids. "Very few losses from death. It is rare for a goat to die except from old age." 'Sir. Geo. A. Houck, Engene, Oregon, says : "The altitude of our country is 500 feet, and is well suited to the Angora. "W'e fence with four boards and wire, or six rails, also two boards and tour wires. "We only shed our nannies. "We usually keep 50 to 15() nannies, and 500 hundred wethers in a tiock. "The wethers will protect themselves against dogs and wolves, but the nannies will not. "\\'e onlv feed oak brush in winter. 410 A Nezv , Industry. "We figure on paying expenses with 40 cents per head. "Have always sheared once, but intend to shear twice hereafter. "I begin breeding November 10th to 20th. "Have had no off-colored kids in ten years. "My losses are light, chiefly from old age and accident. "As to importing new blood, if we could get good ones, it would be a good thing to do; but if we cannot, we can make them good enough from what we have." Mr. Scott Obye, North Yamhill, Oregon ,says : "We have our fencing of rails, or planks, whichever is most convenient. "We do not pen at night, and only shed the goats in bad weather. "We run 1,000 head in a flock. "We feed only oak brush in stormy weather. "We consider the cost of keeping goats nothing. "We have been troubled some with foot-rot. "We consider goats a benefit to othei stock in same pasture. "We begin breeding the last of September. "Have twins only from grades; none from thoroughbred stock. "Have only had one colored kid in seven years' breeding. "We have no losses." Mr. D. A. Walker, Carlton, Oregon, says : "I sell my wethers to my neighbors. "I run my goats loose. Do not pen, except in winter, when I pen and shed them. "I only cut brush for them to eat in winter. "Cost of keeping nothing, except shearing, 5 cents per head. "I breed November 1st. "Have only a few twins. No off-colors. "Goats that are starved during the summer are liable to take scours in winter, and, owing to the impaired condition of their constitution, may die. My father lost quite a number one winter from this cause. "I keep my goats for shearing", not for grubbing." Mr. O. Dowell, Florence, Oregon : "We have never had occasion to sell any of our wether goats. "Fencing for goats needs to be built up perpendicular; matters not what it is made of, if not rock. "Sometimes I feed hay and roots in winter. "Twenty-five cents per annum will cover expense of running goats. "I use a tobacco dip for lice. "AH of my two-year-olds bring twins, and sometimes three and four. Notes — Practical Breeders. ^/r "Have very few off-colors. "My goats are very large; wethers weigh 185 pounds and does- 145 pounds grown. "They shear two and one-half pounds for does, and five pounds for wethers. "My ranch is about four miles from the ocean. The bottom land' is only forty feet, and the hill land 100 to 300 feet above sea level. "I began keeping goats a little over three years ago. The increase in that time has been seventy-five head from five old nannies. Over half my kids have been males. When I got them they had foot rot very badly. It took me four or five months to cure it. I used vitrol and pine tar. Since cured of that they have been perfectly healthy in every respect. Some of my neighbors brought in some goats that died from leeches in their liver. "Some of my goats take the billy in August and September and drop kids in January, and some bring kids again in August. Some that have twins in winter, bring only one in summer. I had one nannie that had four kids at one birth, and several that had three." Mr. A. Blackburn, North Yamhill, Oregon, says : "We have sheds where our goats can go if they care to have shelter.. "We are not troubled with wolves here, but in Southern Counties, goats are raised where sheep have been destroyed by wolves. "We feed straw in winter on rainy days. "We estimate cost of keeping 25 cents per head per year, if they have a good brushy range. "We use the McDougal Dip for lice. "Shearing twice should be given up by all breeders as it is ruining the inarket. "We begin breeding here November 5th. "We only have a few twin kids, and sometimes a sandy color. "Our death rate is about four per cent." Mr. J. M. Hassler, Larwood, Oregon, says : "We have a rail fence around our goat pasture. "We have sheds for them to go to at will. "We feed only straw in bad winter weather. "We estimate the work they do inclearing land more than pays- for the expense of keeping them. "We use Wakley's Dip for lice. "We breed in November. ''We do not have many twins, and occasionly a black or yellow kid. "We lose about three to five per cent, from death in young stock. ^i2 A New Industry. "We are troubled with foot rot some, caused by too much damp, low pasture. I have a remedy and mine have not been troubled for two 3'ears." Mr. J. H. Hawley, Monmouth, Oregon, says : "We sell wethers readily to farmers. "We have plank fencing for goat pastures. "We "only pen in case of storms. "We feed only when snow is on the ground. Feed straw and chop grain. "We don't figure that goats cost us anything but salt.. "We breed middle of November. Mr. PVank H. Rogers, Gardiner. Oregon, says : "The altitude of our section is only "JUO feet. "Our goats run loose. We pen and shed them every night. "I have found them very much more able to protect themselves against dogs than sheep are. They generally take a stand, and intimi- date a dog by the bold front they all present. "In winter I feed clover and timothy hay. "I estimate cost of keeping goats '25 cents per head. "Have had some liver fluke or leach, mange and hoof rot. "We use different kinds of sheep dip for lice. "We begin kidding usually the first of April. "Have but few twins. No off-colored kids." Mr. Oscar Tom, Angora, Oregon : "I only have a small number (about eighty does), and usually sell all my male kids as bucks, consequently I do not sell wethers. "My section is mountainous and I do not herd my goats. "They come home at night, and if they are attacked by animals of any kind will run home in the day time. "I estimate the cost of keeping them as nothing. "The only disease I have had to contend with has been foot-rot, and the occasional poisoning of one from eating poison ivy. "I consider goats advantageous to run with other stock. "I begin breeding usually the first of November. Mr. Masters, Cleveland, Oregon, says : "I find ready sale for all my wethers to farmers, who use them for ■clearing brush land. "I fence with pickets, five feet high "Foot rot is all the trouble we have had in the form of siqkness or disease. It seems to be the same as the sheep have. AUitcs — Practical Breeders. _ii:^ "I breed September loth. "I cull and sell all my old goats, which keeps my losses small from death." Mr. James McDonald, Morrison, Oregon, says : "I find ready sale for my wethers to my neighbors, who use them for mutton. "The altitude of our section is "250 ftet. "I make my pasture with poles woven with wire. "They come to the shed themselves. "I do not figure that my goats cost me anything for keeping. "Have been troubled some with scours, lately. "I don't dip for lice, but think I ought to. "I breed November Inth.' Mr. N. Woodward, Dallas, Oregon, says : "Pasture fences made from rails are used; also from posts. I like the latter best. "I only pen and shed my goats in winter. "I find that a bunch of wethers, with a lot of does, is a safeguard against attacks from wolves. "I feed hay and straw in winter. "I think goats should not be herded with sheep. "I breed the first of November. "I have no black or off-colored kids. "I regard the Angora goat as being a very useful and valuable animal, not alone for their wool, but for their meat as well, and for clearing land." ]\Ir. \A\ D. Claggett, Salem, Oregon, says : "T make fences out of barbed wire and boards. "I find that old goats will defend themselves against wolves, but they are bad on kids. "I do not shed, or pen, them at night. "I feed nothing but brush. "I estimate they cost me nothing to keep. "Have had some dysentery. "I dip with tobacco for lice. "I breed in November. "Twins only come from my grade goats. "I have a few yellow and blue kids. "In small bands of goats the loss is trifling." 414 ^^ Neiv Industry. Messrs. Conklin Bros., Newville, California, says : "In fencing to enclose goats we use three seven-inch boards and . one barbed wire. Woven wire is taking the lead and is being used in preference to anything else. "We run our flocks in lots of 800 or 900 head. "We have found grown goats more capable of resisting dogs than sheep are, but the kids are liable to be destroyed by them if away from the flock. "We find a ready market in San Francisco for all the wether goats we wish to sell. "We estimate the cost of keeping goats in our section at about 25 cents per head per year. "We consider goats are a great advantage to run with other stock, rather than a disadvantage. "We begin breeding our goats November 20th. "We think five per cent, should cover all losses. "At the present time (July 15), we have our goats on the summit - of the coast range, at an altitude of 7,000 feet, where all vegetation is green and growing, and the climate is very cool and water as cold as ice. Snow is on the ground and the goats delight to wallow in it. This, we think, causes the mohair to grow earlier and faster, than in the warm climate of our winter range in the Saciamento valley. It seems that nature tries to provide a coat to correspond with the climate." Mr. E. Iv. Maze, Upper Lake, California, says : "I generally run 1,000 to 1,500 head of goats to a flock. "We estimate cost of keeping them 20 cents per head per year. "We think the goat is much more capable of resisting the attack of dogs, or wild animals, than the sheep is. "We begin breeding about November 1st." Mr. J. M. Wimmer, Millville, California, says : "We only have occasion to feed a little during the winter months, which is generally our older goats. "I figure the cost of keeping 50 cents to 60 cents per year. "Goats sometimes get poisoned, but nearly always will recover irom it. "Our kidding season begins the middle of April. "If our goats are in good condition, we estimate on a loss of three '.per cent, to four per cent, per annum." Mr. F. G. Smith, Skaggs Springs, California, says : "Ifind ready sale for wether goats in San Francisco. "I only pen my goats during kidding time. Notes — Practical Breeders. 415 "I shear one time — in January or February. "We aim to have our kids come aftei March 15th. "We have more twins some years than others. "Have never had one black kid in seven years. "Our percentage of loss is very small. Mainly old does. "Fencing.^Many people have the idea that goats are very breechy, but it is not so. My first enclosure was a board fence, four and one- half feet high, such as is seen along railroad lines; boards sixteen feet long, and posts eight feet apart, five boards to a panel. I used wire on one occasion and first put my posts twelve feet apart, but found that the goats would crawl through, so I placed a post in between the others making them only six feet apart, which answered well. Picket fences are largely used in California, made from redwood timber, split in small sizes and driven in the ground, six to the yard. A common brush fence, properly constructed, will turn goats. "Kidding. — I turn my goats out early in the morning and drive them back about 9 o'clock, where they remain until 4 p. m., when they are allowed to feed again until sundown. As most of the kids come during the time they are in the corral, we have very little trouble in 'packing' them to the corral. We have a specially prepared place for the kids inside of a rough building which consists of a row of stalls 3x3 feet, into which a doe and her kid are shut up for the night. If the kid has not suckled, it is assisted or forced to do so. This building opens into a small pasture, as the does have little desire to leave their kids for several days, they are turned into this pasture with their kids and looked after morning and evening to see that they suck. After a short tirne the does are turned into the range and the kids are allowed to run in the pasture until they are two months old, when they are placed in the flock with their mothers. "Last year I sent a carload of fat wethers to San Francisco, which netted me $2.40 each for the meat. They were all large, heavy-fleeced animals. I had arranged in advance with a butcher to handle them, for which service he received 50 cents per head. "I have heard of some shipments to San Francisco that did not net the shipper 75 cents per head, owing to the fact that no arrangement had been made about selling them." Mr. C. P. Bailey, San Jose, California, says : "We run our flocks in lots of 1,500 to 2,000 head. "Have found goats more capable of resisting wild animals than sheep are. "We sometimes feed kids alfalfa in winter. "We estimate cost of keeping at 60 cents per head per year. "We sometimes dip our goats for lice. Use black-leaf tobacco dip. "We begin breeding October 1st to November 25tli." ^/d A Nczv Industry. X. Y. Z., Ono, California, says : "We run our goats in" flocks of 300. ■ "Have two large sheds connected with our corrals. "I lose quite a number from wild animals. "Cost of iceeping 50 cents to $1.0(1 per head, according to cost of labor. "Have had goats eleven years and never had any disease among them. "I keep cattle on same range with my goats and find they both get along well together. "We shear twice a year, as snow hangs in the wool in winter in great balls if allowed to get long. "We have kids come in April. "The poorest wooled does have mostly twins. "Have a few red kids. "This section of California is mountanous and every one has a small flock of goats from twenty-five to 300 head. "The last few years cayotes have been very destructive. Some people raise a dog with the kids and it herds them well when there are only a small number. "When we have a heavy crop of black oak acorns, I do not raise over fifteen per cent, of my kids; the most of them die as soon as born, or are born dead. I suppose it must be caused by the acorns, as I never loose any, or have any trouble, except following a heavy crop of these acorns. A few acorns will not affect them seriously. "Butchers buy all our wethers in this country, and pay $1.50 to $2.00 each for them. I deliver mine dressed, at the mines, near here, and get 5 cents, to 6 cents, per pound, and get about 30 cents for my skins, sheared. "I have never bought a pure bred Angora buck.* I buy or trade for one every second year, and get the best I can in this part of the country." Mr. Wni. Richter, Ico, California, says: "We find sale for wether goats anywhere in the State "Stock goats sell for $-2;Oo to $3.00 per head. "The altitude of our County is 1,000 feet above sea level. "We herd our goats with a dog, and run them in flocks of 1,000 head. They herd them and bring them home every night, and keep wild animals from bothering them. (*Foot note.— If the reader will observe XYZ's report on shearing, he will see that he only receives two pounds from wethers, one and one- half from does, and one pound from- kids, which is no doubt owing to the need of purer bucks.) A'Otcs — Practical Breeders. _/// "Have found goats more capable of defending themselves against dogs than sheep. "We estimate cost of keeping goats nothing. "We begin breeding in October. "We have a great many twin kids every other year. "We figure our per cent, of loss nothing from death." Mr. Jas. H. Ditnison, Upper Lake, California, says : "We have only found a market for our wethers in late years. We sell at San Francisco, now, without trouble. "I am decidedly in favor of importing new blood. That is, what is needed. "We run them in flocks of 1,000 head. "We find them more capable of protecting themselves from wild animals and dogs than sheep are. "I do not feed in winter but I think it will pay to do so. "I estimate cost of keeping 15 cents to 20 cents per head. "Regarding disease, goats sometimes get poisoned. They call it blind staggers." Mr. Philo Ogden, Upper Lake, California, says : j "We find ready sale for our wethers at home markets. "Our altitude is 2,000 feet above sea level. "We pasture our goats and use board and picket fencing. "We estimate cost of keeping, per year, $1.00 per head. "We begin kidding April 1st. "We have about ten per cent, twins. "No colored kids." Mr. Jacob Oaks, Paskenta, California, says : "We find market for our wether goats in small towns. "Our altitude is 1000 feet. ; "We have known them to bunoh up and fight dogs. i "We estimate cost of keeping, 15 cents per head per year. "We begin breeding October 25. "We have a great many twins and very often triplets. "I started in with only a few goats for meat purposes, and soon had quite a flock of them which I let out on shares, as I have no brush land on my farm now." E. R. Williams, Redding. Cal. says : "Am in favor of starting a register and importing new blood wherever we can get the best. "Anj' ordinar^v close fence will hold goats. _fi8 A A'ezi' Industry. "I regard them an advantage to other stock, rather than a disad- vantage when they are kept in the same pasture. "We begin breeding in October. "Some of my neighbors are bothered with 'crooked kids.' They say it is acorns. I think it comes from in-breeding. "I liave dogs trained to stay with my goats. It is a great success with small docks. "We have but very few losses from death. Have lost some from eating buckeye and milk weed. I dose them with lard. "There are quite a number of goat raisers in this section." l\[r. R. J. Linton, Ager, California, says : "I butcher all my own wether goats and market them at Yreka. "The altitude of our country is 800 feet. "We run them in tlocks of 400. "We find that goats are more capable of defending themselves from dogs or wild animals than sheep are. They stand and look at them when sheep will run away. "Cost of keeping is a boy's wages. $10.00 per month. "I intend to practice dipping for lice though I never have done so yet. I shall use tobacco stems. "\\'e begin breeding November 1st. "Have very few black kids." ■ A. ^ioon, Ona. Cal. : "We sell our mutton goats at our home market. "Pasture sometimes and herd sometimes. "Our fencing is made from pickets. "Have only about 500 head. • "We only feed clover hay in bad. snowy weather. "Cost of keeping is very small. "Begin breeding" November loth. "Have very few otT-colored kids." ]\Jr. Jas. A\'ilder, Paskenta. California, says : "^^'e only pen goats in winter time. "Have never lost a goat by wolves. The wild cats are very bad on yoitng kids. "We estimate cost of running goats. "25 cents to 35 cents, according to how they are run. "We begin breeding November 1st." Mr. T. T. (r)sorne, Lowrey, Tehama County, California, says : 'T have only been in the goat business six years. I commenced with '200 nannies. Mv goats are of the Julius Weyand stock. I have Ah)fcs — Practical Breeders. ^jp sold 400 head, and still have 1,100 head. My range is better than it has ever been. Goats are good property now, and they are easily handled. "I have sheds "200 feet long for kidding. I have pens for does and Icids along one side of my shed, about twenty inches high, so that nannies can jump in to their kids. When the kid is large enough to jump out, I let him go with his mother. I find this easier than picketing them out with rope. "I raised 500 goats this spring. "My range, before I got goats, I could not run twenty-five head of cattle on; now I can run 150 head of cattle. Goats are the stock for brushy land; they clear the land and the grass takes its place. "My goats shear four pounds a year. I shear twice a year. My fall •clip cleared me 27 cents, and my spring clip 2Qyo cents. "I take lots of interest in my goats. I think they are the stock for cl poor man to raise. When I started in the goat business, 1 borrowed $650.00 and paid ten per cent, interest on it; now I have paid off that note and bought 1,600 acres of land just off my goats. I got my range for 25 cents an acre, and wouldn't sell it today for $2.00 an acre." Mr. D. C. Taylor, Lake Valley, N. M., says : "I think we have the best goat country in the world m the Black- Range Mountains. Altitude 6,000 feet. Dry climate (only about six inches rain, on an average per year, and nearly all this in July). Plenty of evergreen brush, and plenty of range. Water is scarce, on which account a watered place commands a large free range. I only own three forty-acre tracts, and control 30,000 acres of range. "I had about 800 does this (1899) year and will raise about 783 kids, ■with one $10.00-a-month Mexican boy for herder. "I have my pens so arranged that two men can save all the kids from 1,000 does with very little labor. It is all in knowing how. "I shear my dry goats twice a year; my breeding does only once." Mr. J. C. Hightower, Rnidosa, N. M., says : "I sell my wethers at home without trouble. "I find this country well adapted to the goat business. Altitude is ■6,500 feet. "I run 1,200 in a flock. I have seen as many as 3,000 head in one flock. "I estimate 40 cents as cost of keeping per year. "I breed about November 15th. "Percentage of loss from natural causes is small, probably two per cent., but sometimes the loss is heavy after shearing, unless they are protected by sheds." 420 A New Industry. Mr. A. D. Norcop, Separ, N. M., says: "This is what might be called a semi-desert country. Brush is scarce. We have sotol, corahanoo palmyra, or dagger, mesquite, grease wood, etc., etc. Higher tip in the Burro Mountains we have what is known as mahogony oak. juniper, and other brush. "We don't think it advisable to run goats with other stock in this country. Our water is scarce, and I don't think horses, or cattle, like to drink at the same trough with goats. Besides this, the goats are often e.ither killed or injured by the larger stock when they are watering at the same time. "I have Mexican herders. "I sell our mutton at Silver City. "I have known of goats killing the cayote when the latter has sneaked into their corral or pen. "I estimate cost of keeping goats here, "25 cents per head per annum. "I have never dipped for lice but intend to begin the practice as I consider it would be an advantage to the animal. "I do not have very many twin kids, and but a few off-colored kids which I visually kill." Mr. E. VVeistrand, Cooiiey, N. M., says : "I think we have the finest goat country in America. "I run 1,000 nannies in a flock. . "I begin breeding in November. "Have no ofif-colored kids." The Onclerdonk Live Stock Co., Lamy, N. M., say: Oiir experience has been greater with the common (Mexican) goat than with the Angora; but we are of the opinion the latter class are much better adapted to this climate than the former. They seem to be better able to stand the cold weather; and, with no greater care, will take on more flesh than the common goat. "We have purchased a range of "28,000 acres of land which we have fenced, not so much to hold our goats as to prevent any of our neighbors' stock ranging on our property. "We herd in bands of 1,500 to 1,000 head and have drilled wells, at convenient distances (four to six miles apart), and have located at the wells corrals for working and 'kidding' our goats. "We have properly trained Collie dogs to assist our shepherds. They seem to be very useful in gathering up any stray goats, and in herding the flock. "We are greatly troubled with cayotes, and are looking for some kind of dog that will attack them, or keep them ofT our range. Ahitcs — Practical Breeders. zfji '■Regarding the acquiring of land in this country, the cost of it, etc., I can give you very little information outside of our own experience. We are pasturing on our own land. Of course, the Government land is free grazing, and we suppose it can be accjuired by the usual laws of the United States relating to that matter; probably at a cost of $1.50 an acre and upwards. ''The cost of digging wells varies according to the situation. We have our own machine and employ drillers by the month, but previous to this we contracted the work at $1.50 per foot for the first hundred feet, and $2.00 per foot for the second hundred feet. We have some fine wells thirty-five (35) feet deep, and some two hundred and thirty-five (235) feet deep, depending on the situation; as in some places the ground is soft and easily drilled and in other places it seems to be composed of volcanic rock and is extremely hard. I think, however, it would be safe to say that wells one hundred (100) feet deep would average $1.50 per foot." "I only pen my goats in winter. Mr. A. R. Tate, Wintersett, Iowa, says: "I feed rough hay, fodder,etc. "I, count the cost of keeping very little. "jNIy goats rtni with cattle and seem to get along well with them. "T breed for April kids. "I have one pair of twins in about eight does. Only a few colored kids Dr. T- R- Stancllev. Platteville, Iowa, savs "I have had no trouble to sell all my wether goats at any of our large markets. "I do not think it necessary to import new blood. Think we have as good as we could get anywhere. "The altitude of our country is 800 feet. 'T use twenty-four-inch woven wire and two barbed wires above. 'T only pen in cold, rainy weather. "I have had some kids killed by dogs, but never any old goats. "I feed goats about the same as sheep. The cost of keeping is about the same also. "I have never had a sick goat. "I use arsenic, one pound to sixteen gallons of water, for a dip to kill lice. "I think a few goats are an advantage to other stock in same pasture. "T breed December 1st. "I have had very few twins; about one per cent, off-colors. "T have had no loss by death, to speak of." ^22 A NcTU Industry. Messrs. Morgan & Morgan, Clay, Iowa, say : "We have no trouble in selling mutton goats in Chicago. "The altitude of our country is 2,000 feet. "Our goat pasture is enclosed with a woven-wire base, twenty-six inches high, and two barbed wires on top. "They take good care to go into the shed when they want to,, without any driving. "We feed goats fodder, same as sheep. "We estimate cost of keeping, 50 cents per head. "We use a tobacco dip for lice. "We breed in November." Mr. I. J. Booth, Cresco, Iowa, says : "I feed clover and oats in winter. "Some of my goats have swelling of the throat, like bronchitis. "I use carbolic acid and water for a dip to kill lice. "I breed November '20tli." Mr. J. C. Morton, Indianola, Iowa, says : "I use woven wire (Kitselman's). "I feed in winter, hay and a little corn. "Cost of keeping is $1.00. "A few of mine have sore feet. "I breed in November." Hon. A. H. Edwards, Audubon, Iowa : "I have found Angoras do very well in this section. "I place all my wethers in Chicago market without any difficulty. "I enclose my goat pasture with five wires. "I only shed them in winter. "I feed grain and hay in winter. "I dip in 'Cooper Dip' for lice." Mr. S. S. McKibben, Earlham, Iowa, says : "My experience in breeding the Angora goat has been limited, but I have gone far enough to know that our country is admirably adapted to them, and that they will produce a larger amount of mohair of a smoother and better character, than in Texas, where I have received nearly all my goats from. "I have sold goats to possibly 500 different parties, in lots vary- ing from a single animal, up to as many as 200; and I have not yet heard of any dissatisfaction; but, upon the contrary, all are well pleased with them, and many of them intend to increase their holdings. A'ofcs — Practical Breeders. jjj "I breed in December so that I have my kids come at a time (Ma}'') when vegetation is well started, and it gives me ample time to shear in April before the kidding begins. "I feed shock corn to 'rough' my goats through the colder months (unless there are plenty of hazel nuts), and they have free run to a stack of oat straw, or some other kind of 'roughness.' "I think it is proper to let them go to water and salt whenever the}' are so inclined. "My experience has been that if the goats are brought into the State of Iowa during the spring or summer months, they will do better than if brought here in the winter. "My losses have been almost entirely confined to stock that I have imported from Texas in cold weather." Mr. J. R- Barnette, Globe, Arizona, says : "I find a local demand for mutton. "The altitude of our section of country is 4,000 feet. "I loose herd my goats. "Never pen them except to work with them. "Do not shed any. "I only have about 900 head. 1.500 can be run in one flock easily, and with greater profit of course. "I do not think there is much difference between sheep and goats as far as wild animals are concerned. I have seen a little cayote scare a big flock of goats nearly to death. "I usually breed October 1st. "I have but few twins in my better grades of goats. "Goats are kept here strictly for .mohair." Mr. J. F. Holder, Payson, Arizona, says : "I find sale for all my mutton goats at the local mining camps. "I run 3()0 to 1,000 in a flock. " I find wild animals troublesome at times. "I estimate cost of keeping, 45 cents per year. "I begin kidding, generally. May IsL. "I am in favor of importing new blood for stud flocks, and any others who want them, but if the average breeder would try to get the best bucks they can from our home stud flocks, instead of using any $10.00 buck, because he 'looks well,' and 'nearly' as good as a Harris and Baylor, or a Landrum buck, they would have much better blood than they now have, and the United States standard of mohair would go up rapidly. Ji.21^ A Nciv Industry. "I do not herd my goats, I just watch them a good distance off (loose herd them). Goats are not like sheep, and have to be driven to feed and back to the ranch when night comes. The goat wants his liberty and will stay fatter the year round, and produce more mohair, if they are turned loose, and permitted to go where they prefer. If you give them plenty of fine salt, or sheep salt, they will come home at night and lay in, and around, the corral, and leave next morning when they get ready. Follow along after them and see that nothing bothers them, but do not restrain them, and they will do better and produce you more mohair, and of a better ciuality. "I think black, or colored, kids are an indication of bad blood. I had several blue-backed kids last year, but as I am cutting out all the time, and breeding up at the same time, 1 have very few kids that were blue or red this year. "I select bucks on individual merit, and some on 'long breeding,' but mostly on the grade and quality of the buck's offspring. I don't give a snap for the general appearance of a buck if his kids are above the average standard. I buy a buck for his ability to get kids — one that will put mohair of a superior kind all over them." Mr. Ira Harper, Clifton, Arizona, says : "T find my section well suited to the Angora. "Our altitude is 7,000 feet. "I don't herd but let them run loose. I only have about 300. "My goats always run home when anything disturbs them on the range. "My flock has only cost me 'plenty of salt.' "I let my bucks run with my flock all year. I think November is the proper month to breed. "I have about twenty-five per cent, of kids. "I attribute my success to plenty of salt. "I have had wethers to come back home after they had been driven ten miles away, which is something a sheep has not sense enough to do." Wm. Horn, Camp Verde, Arizona : "I butcher ni}' own goats (wethers) and sell them at home. "I think this section is a little too cold. "I herd my goats with dogs. "I have about 400 head. "I find them almost the same as sheep, as far as wild animals are concerned. "I feed alfalfa hay in winter. "My expense is about 40 cents per year per head. Xofcs — Practical Breeders. ^j>3 "Have had some 'catarrh.' "I kid in April, general!}'. "About five per cent, off-colored kids." Mr. C. D. Tuthill, TuthiU. [Minn., says : "I am convinced that the Angora goat is one of the most profit- able animals we can propagate. "I have demonstrated to my entire satisfaction that I can produce meat for my family and hired hands cheaper from goats than from any other class of live stock, and I believe it to be the most healthful, as well as tempting to the appetite. "Since I have been keeping goats, and eating their rich, juicy meat, I have a far greater regard for the good sense of Rebecca when old Isaac was blind and wanted a savory dish. She did not select a boned turkey, or stewed oysters, but a tender young kid. And the milk of the goat is the healthiest known, and many invalids could be nursed back to health; and the lives of many sickly children saved by simply using goat's milk. "I had one grade Angora nanny (doe) that would give me three quarts per daj'. This same doe not onh^ brought forth, but raised ten, kids in five years. '"I have pastured goats with horses, with sheep and hogs, and have never had anything but the best results. I do not believe there is a case on record where the goat has crossed with the sheep. "I use our mutton wethers at home. "J have found this section most admirably adapted to raising the Angora. "I fence with seven barbed wires, posts ten feet apart. "I only have about 100 head. "I feed wild hay and corn fodder in winter. "I begin breeding May 1st. '"Occasionally an off-colored kid. "i\Iy goats cost me less than $1.00 per head per year. "Loss from death is little or nothing." Air. A. G. Wilcox, Hugo, Minn, says : "We use our muton goats at home. "I fence with woven wire. "I only shed them in bad weather. "My flock consists of seventy-five. "I find my older goats more capable of resisting dogs, but the kids about the same as sheep. "I feed hay, corn fodder and oats in winter. "I estimate $1.00 per head the expense of keeping. 426 A Nezv Industry. "I use 'Cooper's Dip' for dipping lo kill lice. "I begin breeding in December. "About five per cent, twins. "Occasionally a reddish or yellow kid. "Have had no losses from death. "When I got goats first, we had fences that were all right for sheep and pigs, but were no restraint to goats. They would go through anything we had, and were a great nuisance. In the spring I built a woven-wire fence (Lamb's) of the Page type, and that held them. No trouble since." Mr. E. Graves, Princeton, Minn., says : "I purchased my first goats from Mr. C. D. Tuthill. "I have found this section very well suited to raising goats. "I feed only good hay in winter. "Have never known of any disease among them.' "I begin breeding in January. "I would not farm without goats. I find that my jheep keep much healthier since I have had goats." Mr. A. Lippinctitt, Sheridan, Mo., says : "I use woven wire for fencing. "I feed straw and corn fodder. "Estimate cost of keeping, 50 cents per head per year. "Begin breeding November 1st. "Have no off-colored kids. "Have had no deaths or disease." Mr. L. B. Dougherty, Liberty, Mo., says: "I only had fifty head of nannies. Kept them five years. Liked 1 hem, very well. Kept no account of shearing or other statistics. Made nothing out of the venture, but could with proper care make them very profitable. Don't know any one in our covmtry who owns goats." Mr. W. J. Seever, St. Louis, Mo., Says : "The altitude of the section where I have goats is 900 feet. "I fence with seven barb wire. "Only have to shed in bad weather. "I have found goats will invariably face a dog, and will generally intimidate the brute with his boldness. "They earn more than they cost to keep. "Have never heard of any disease. "I regard goats as being a great advantage to other stock in the same pasture. Notes — Practical Bra dcrs. 4-V "Referring to mutton qualities, I frequently visit our stock yards- and have noticed that fat Angora goats are snapped up very fast by the packers, at prices higher than I care to pay for breeding purposes. I have seen fat wethers bring prices equal to sheep, and a few thin does. made but little difference in the sale." Mr. J. Glome Miles, Silver Bend, Mont., says : "I have found Montana a fine goat country. "I have only about 350 head, which I pen every night, in winter and- spring. "I find them very little trouble, and only feed them occjsionly in winter with wild hay. "They are free from all diseases. "I dip them, when necessary, for lice, with lime and sulphur. "I begin breeding December 10th." Mr. S. S. Brannin, Marysville, Mont., says : "The altitude of our country is 5,000 feet, and is very finely suited, to raising goats. "I herd my goats some, and let them run loose as well, at times. 'T pen in the winter and shed them too. "I only have about 700. "I breed November 1st. "About four-fifths of my does have twins. "No off-colored. "My losses seldom exceed two or three per cent, Mr. J. S. Harris, Oakley, Idaho, says : "I do not sell any wethers. "Our country, I think, is too cold and blustery to raise goats to the best advantage. The cost is too great compared with milder climates, and percentage of increase much less. "I herd my goats and feed alfalfa hay in the winter months. "I dip with Zenoleum, which I think is very good. "I begin breeding November loth. "The increase here is about seventy-five per cent. "Death rate is seldom over five per cent. "I rarely have twin kids, and very seldom any off-colored. "If we are to import any new blood, I prefer that they should come from Turke}'." Dr. Tuttle, Tacoma, Wash., says : "I have not found this section very well adapted to raising goats. "I allow my goats to run loose, and have my bucks with them the year round. 428 A New Industry. "I keep them in pasture in straight rail fence. "I only pen them in winter, and shed them in bad weather. "I feed only when weather is bad in the winter. Mostly hay, and oat straw. "The cost of keeping hardly exceeds "25 cents per head. - "I have had the scours attack some of my old does. "I do not dip for lice. "I think goats are objectionable with milch cows, but not with horses. ■'My kids begin to come about March 1st." Name omitted, Biicoda, Wash., says : "I find ready sale for my muttons to home butchers. "The altitude here is 140 feet. "We make our pasture fence out of lails and posts. "We only pen during rainy season. "We have never been bothered with dogs or wolves. "We do not have to feed much in winter. "Aside from pasture, 15 cents per head will cover expenses. "Have never dipped for lice, but intend to begin doing so. "My cows and horses feed with them all right. "I breed middle of October. "After they are two years old, two-thirds of 'them have twins. "Have no off-colored kids. "Have only lost six old goats in eight years." Mr. Chris Niehson, Burhngton, Wyo., says : "I find sale for wethers among my neighbors. "We run 1,5(J0 in a flock, but they will do better in smaller flocks. "The old ones are less liable to destruction from wild animals than the kids. "I estimate 50 cents per year expense of keeping. "I have dipped with lime and sulphur for lice , but it is not good. "I breed here middle of December. "Have a good many twins, but very few off-colored. "My goats have been sent to Utah, where I formerly ranched htem, but I shall remain here." Mr. Jos. R. HambUn, Kaiiab, Utah, says : "I have very poor sale for wethers. "My place is excellent for goat raising. Altitude 4000 feet. "I herd my goats on account of wild animals. "I run 1,600 to 2,000 head in a flock. Notes — Practical Breeders. . ^2Q "I estimate cost, 30 cents per head per year. "We begin kidding May 1st. "Nearly all our yearlings have twins, but very few off-colors. "From my experience with the Angora, I have found them to be very intelligent and interesting animals. While they are very persistent and contrary, it is very easy to control and handle them. They are very sensitive to wet, cold weather, yet they can endure a great deal. "As to drouth, scarcity of water and heat, I believe the goat is the hardiest of all animals. The female is a very good mother, and most excellent multiplier, seldom having less than two; and, although a good suckler, will not care for more than one of them, unless proper care is taken. The kid is very stupid when young, and cannot stand wet, cold weather. As it grows, however, it adapts itself to the climate and becomes ciuite playful. They are very nice, but troublesome, pets. The coyote loves to catch them; the wild cat is even more fond of them, and these two animals cause much loss in young kids unless great care is taken. "I have found the most practical way of kidding is to stake or pen each kid, or pair of kids, separately, for at least three weeks. If you pen, have it just about large enough for the mothers and kids, leaving a low place for the mother to jump in, or cut, and too high for the kid to jump out. If you stake the kids you should attach a string to the left, or right, fore foot (string about two feet long), and tie fast to a peg driven down close to the surface of the ground. If you stake twins, the one by the right, and the other by the left fore leg. and stake them to the same pin. If there should be more than two, tie them all so that they may have free play, and yet be together. "The old scientific theory of handling kids with gloved hands is very absurd, for we have learned by experience that you may carry a kid a long distance, and the main thing is to have the mother (who will naturally follow the kid when you pick it up to carry it away) to smell of the kid, to be sure it is her own, and you will have no more trouble with her." ^Ir. R. C. Johnston, Lawrence, Kan., says : "I have found our section of country very well adapted to raising the Angora. "The altitude is 1,000 feet above sea level. "I fence with barbed wire, seven strands, five inches apart from the ground for four wires; and seven mches, nine inches, and twelve inches, for the remaining three strands: posts ten feet apart, and stays every three feet. This makes a goat proof as well as a good stock fence generally. "I pasture my goats always, and pen them every night. 430 A Nezv Industry. '"I ha\e never had any trouble from either dogs or wolves. I put ■'bells on quite a number. "I feed corn fodder, hay and straw in winter. "I estimate cost of keeping, 35 cents to 45 cents per head per ryear. ■'Have never had any disease of any kind. "I have practiced dipping for lice, with arsenic. "I have my kids to come in April." Mr. J. K. Young, Woodward, Ok., says : "I market my mutton goats in Kansas City. "The altitude of our country is 3,000 feet. "I herd my goats on bunch grass, and scrub oak brush. "I only have to shed in spring and bad weather. "I run flocks of 1,000 to 1,500. "I feed only in severe storms, dry hay. "I estimate cost of keep, 25 cents. "I begin breeding December 1st. "About twenty-five per cent, twins. No ofif-colors." Mr. O. D. Hill, Kendalia, West Va., says : "The altitude of our country is 1.500 feet, and I have found it to be very well adapted to the Angora. "My goats run loose, and I. seldom pen them. "In winter I occasionly feed some corn, but only in bad weather. "I estimate cost of keeping, 50 cents per year or less. "Have never had any sickness. "I breed twice a year. Cannot say what the regular increase will be. but would estimate on 150 per cent., judging from the breeding of my own goats. "My kids are all pure white." Mr. Jas. A. Bill, * Bill Hill P. O., Conn., says : "I have found our state equally as well adapted to the Angora goat - as it is to sheep. "I only herd in winter, and pasture in summer. "I only pen in winter. "I have about seventy-five head. Tliey are much more capable of defending themselves from dogs than sheep are. *Since the above report was made, Mr. Jas. A. Bill has died, and his son, Mr. Kansas N. Bill, writes me under date of April 16th, that the industry is rapidly gaining in Connecticut, and that he has sold every thing they had except twelve head of does. A'ofcs — Practical Breeders. ^jz "I feed in winter hay and grain, the same as sheep. "The cost of keeping is about the same. "Have never known any disease. "I practice dipping for Hce and use a carboHc dip. "They are in no way objectionable to other kinds of stock. "I breed early in May, and the increase is about on a par with that in sheep. "I have a good many twins, but no colored kids. "The percentage of loss is little or nothing, and ought to be none at all." Col. J. Wash. Watts, Montville, S. C, says: "I commenced breeding the Angora goat soon after they were imported into this country in 1849. I found them to be well adapted to this climate. "I usually kept them in pastures, but would sometimes herd them. "Our fencing was made of rail. I think wire is better. "I always penned them at night, and housed them in bad weather. "I never kept over 200 at one time. "I learned that the dog would not molest the goat near as much as they do sheep. An old goat will run after a dog. "I always fed cotton seed in winter. "My estimate of the cost of keeping them was 50 cents per head per year. "They have never had any disease that I know of, but I heard of some having foot rot, and a few of them mange. "I always used tobacco for dipping to remove lice. "I sheared in April, and if left later, they would shed. Would breed in August or September. "Eighty to ninety per cent, was considered an average increase. "The pure bred has twins very rarely, and no off-colored kids. "Loss from death was not more than two per cent." Mr. Lafayette Holt, Burlington, N. C, says: "I find ready sale for my surplus stock at home, where they are slaughtered for mutton. "The altitude of our country is 1,800 feet. "My pasture fence is made from rails and wire. "I do not shed my goats except in bad weather. , "Only keep a small number. "I usually feed in winter, hay , fodder, etc. "Have been bothered some with staggers. "I do not dip for lice. "I breed in September. ' ^^2 A Nczc Iiidiisfry. "An Angora buck will keep off dogs from a flock of sheep. "I believe any one who has a sickly child, and will put vip with the odor from a buck goat, can make the child well and strong, by letting him use him as a plaything, hauling a little wagon, etc." Dr. M. Barrett, Maidens, Va., says : "I have been raising the Angora for the past twenty years, and find them strong, hearty and prolific. "Have never lost any from disease, and I think they are just the meat we ought to raise. "They are but very little trouble an J no expense, as they get their own living if let loose on a farm. "They frequently kid twice in a year. "I have never made use of their hair, except for padding, as it is a little coarse. "They grow very large and usually get their growth at three years old. "I keep them chiefiy for home consumption, though I sell occasionly at $2.00 for mutton. I think they will soon take the place of sheep for mutton. My kids, at six months, dress thirty-live to forty-live pounds, giving a nice lot of tallow, superior to mutton, as it keeps in warmest ' weather. "The skins are pretty and useful for making robes and rugs. I value goats more than sheep. "I have several goats now. seventeen years old, still fat and hearty." cn a a a s Q a Kev. D. S. Babb, Sonora. R. S Wyatt, Sonora. John Brown, Sonora. H W. Galbraith, Montell W. M. Landrum, Laguna. Jeff Pepper, hock Springs. Henry Fink, Leon Springs. J. M. Arnold, Montell C Dissler, Juno Jas. Pauers(>n. Junction City. Doughter & Luitrell, Lipan. VV. W Haupt, Kyle. Geo W. Baylor. Montell. B. L Crouch. Pearsall. D. G. Avery, Marathon. J. v\'. Garrett, Mountain Home. R. H. Lowry, Camp San Saba. H. B. Marshall. Austin. J. D. Hunter, Junction City. Tom S. Evans. Exile H. T. Fuchs, Tiger Mill. W. R. McKee. Junction City Thos. H. Tongue, Hillsboro. Geo. A. Houcl^, Eugene. Scott Obye, N. Yamhill D. A. Walker, Carlton. O. Dowell, Florence. A. 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O4J c iii5ooooD--.OaiO,.,„. 392 — Reference to ..:::. .\ ......... 430 Berry, Wm., reference to sheep industry. , . 442 Bevington, Dr., of Iowa, reference to 101 vi. Index. PAGE Bible, references in 263, 264, 266 5 — Testimony concerning the goat, and, hair of 25, 117 "Billy," reference to use of term 263, 264, 265 Bill, James A., statement from, concerning his Angoras 344 — Concerning Angora goats in Cormecticut 96 — Reference to clearing brushy land 370 — -Notes from on practical breeding 430, 435 Binns H. O., observations on cross-breeding in Turkey 177 — ^On diiTerent types of Angora goats 181 — On original type of the Angora goat 187 — Opinion of, as to pure-bred Angoras 213 —Reference to 232, 265 Black, Mrs. N. P., reference to the transfer of the "Peters" goats. . 62 Blackburn, A., reference to clearing brush with goats 360 — Notes from, on practical breeding 411, 433 — Goats raised by, commended 324 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 324 Black Hickory, reference to clearing with goats 356 Blood, controlling influence of, in developing 186 Boer goa.t, subject to scab in South Africa 378 —Reference to , 179 Bokara, goats of, described by Jno. S. Harris 28 Booth, I. J., reference to clearing brush land 356 — Notes from on practical breeding 422, 433 Boston, reference to Angora goats in 47 Boulier, M., observations on cross-breeding 253 — Reference to losses of pure-blooded stock in Turkey 216 — Reference to terms applied to goats 265 Box-wood, reference to clearing with goats 366 Boyden, Jno. A., one of the early breeders in North Carolina 193 Branding, reference to the practice of 399 Brannin, S. S., reference to 304, 464 — Reference to climate of Montana 93 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 339 — Notes from on practical breeding 427, 434 — Lfetter from, concerning Rocky Mountain goat 241 Brandt, M., description of Cashmere goat 27 I — Description of a pure-bred Angora 213 Bradford, England, erection of A-Iohair mills in 123 Brahmin bull, imported by Dr Davis 206 Breeding, original Angora goats only bred one kid 42 — Observations on, by Col. J. Wash Watts 54 — Observations on, by Col. Richard Peters 64 — Notes from practical breeders 403 to 435 Index. vii. PA( B — Table showing results of -269 — Period, reference to 388 — On the open range 391 — Number of days customary 391 — Seasons for different sections 402 to 437 —By hand 388 Bri ish Columbia, adaptabil ty of, in i aisiny Au^oias 40 British Goat Society, reference to 288 Broadbent, Sir Wm., observations of, about milk 289 Bromley, Mr. , of Utah, reference to 340 Brown, John, reference to Col. W. D. Parish 78 — Remarks of concerning- non-shedding Angora 226 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 315 — Notes from, on practical breeding 402, 433 Brown, D. J., remarks of concerning- Cashmere goats 455 — Reference to crossing the Cashmere and Angora 458 — Description of the Llama, and Alpaca lo7 Brush, serious nature of 20 —Reference to clearing,.. 98, 101, J 02, 351, 355, 356, 359, 360, 361,<362, 365, 366, 367 — Reference to the cost of clearing 352 — Reference to number of goats required 355, 350. 360 — Equal to "peaches and cream," to a goat "21 — Opinion of Dr. Dayis, relative to the South 22 — Observations about, by Col. Robt. W. Scott 64 — Goats commonly used to clear, in Oregon 84 — Reference to, in Illinois 94 Bruner, T. K., reference to industry in North Carolina 93 Buck, C. M., reference to 343 'Buck." reference to the term 263, 265 Bucks, how to decide on. opinions of breeders 222 — Reference to selecting "227, 228, 248 — Essential features in 249, 259 — Cheap, reference to 260 —Cost of -260, 269, 272 — Proper number for breeding 271, 272. 388, 391 — Reference to bre ;ding season 388 — When to remove buck-kids from flock 388 — How to manage, in breeding 388 — Keeping of, after season of breedmg 391 Buck-brush, reference to clearing 347, 351, 355, 367 Buck-eye, reference to clearing 365 Burdette-Coutts, Baroness, reference to 288 Burr-oak, reference to clearing 348 Butter, from goat's milk 284 "viii. Index. PAGE California, notes from breeders in 434 — Reference to first importation of Ang'oras into 79 Camp-rustler, reference to 393 Camping outfit for shepherds 272 Canada, adaptabih.tv of, to the Angora goat 39 Canada, J. H., reference to 347 Canada thistle, reference to clearing with goats 347 Cannon's dip, as a remedy for screw worms 379 Cantrell, Ari, introduction of Angoras into Oregon 84 — Reference to ..... 327 Cape Colony, first introduction of Angoras, into 35 — Places export duty on Angora goats 105 — Reference to increase in mohair product 246 Carbolic dips, for lice on Angoras 383 Carcass of Angora, difference in size of.' 212, 217 —Reference to 241, 259 Carding Mohair, what constitutes 142 Care and management of Angoras, chapter on 384 Carolina, North, reference to Angora industry in 93 Carolina, South, Dr. Davis' opinion of Mohair grown in 46 — First to handle the Angora in the United States 52 Cartledge, E, reference to 294 Cashmere goat, reference to by Dr. Hayes 27 — Reference to by Jno. S. Harris 86 — Reference to by several committees 192 —Weight of fur produced 198, 202 — In possession of J. C. Hightower 198 — Letter from Col. Richard Allen, relative to 199 — Extracts from newspapers relating to 199, 201 — Exchanged by Dr. Davis with Earl of Derby 206 — A paper on 455 — ^Description of by D. J. Browne 455 — Descripton of by S. Holmes Pegler 456 — ^Dr. Davis' opinion on 455 Cashmere, wool, reference to manufacture of in England 457 — Opinion of Sir Samuel Wilson on 457 — Experiments in crossing with Angora 458 • — Dr. Davis' experiments in crossing 459 —Great value of 199, 201, 202, 203, 204 —How gathered 199, 202, 207 Cashmere, or Angora 187, 197 Cashmere shawls, reference to manufacture of 125 •Cashmsre and Thibet wool , 181, 196 Castrating, when, and how, it should be done 399 Cattle and sheep, receipt of for 33 years in Chicago 158 Index. ix. PAGE Coyote, reference to 39!) Cedar brush, reference to clearing 366 Census of Angora goats, in the United States 103 — Letter from H. M. Williamson, concerning 105 — Letter from Wm. R. Payne, concerning 103 Chamberlain, T. L., reference to 343 Chapparell, black, reference to clearing o. i Cheap bucks, reference to 260 Cheese, reference to -84 Chew, R. B., reference to 299 Chenery, Winthrop W., experience with Angoras in Massachusetts.. 70 "Chenery"' goats, reference to 331, 442 Cherry, brush, reference to clearing 356, 360, 361 Chicago Live Stock Commission Co., letter from 156 Chicago meat packers unwilling to buy Angoras 114 Chilton, Jos. R., committee report on "Davis" goats 191 Chinese goat skin rugs 168 Chute for cutting out goats, how to make 393 — System used by W. G. Hughes 435 Circassian goat, reference to 455 Citus, small, reference to clearing 361 Claggett, W. D., observations on clearing brush 361 — Statement from concerning his Angoras 323 — Notes from, on practical breeding ^13, 433 ^'Claridges Farmer," extract from 300 Claridge, R. R., reference to 76 Clearing brush land, reference to 351, 355-6, 359 to 362, 36o to 367 —Estimate of cost of 352, 359, 367, 368, 269 —Number of goats required 355, 356, 359. 360, 361, 366, 371 — Length of time required 361, 362, 365 Cleveland, Hon. Grover, removes tariff on Mohair 162 Climate of United States, adaptibility of, to the Angora goat 47 Climatic influence on goats 182, 185, 191, 381 Clipping machines, reference to 395 "Coarse Mohair," what constitutes 142 Coast Mohair Association, reference to 323 Cockle-burr, reference to clearing 371 Colorado, reference to 94, 294, 302 Colored ^Mohair, reference to 396 Colored kids, reference to by practical breeders 403 to 435 Colored Angoras in Turkey, reference to 178 ■"Combing Mohair," what constitutes ^ 141 Combination sale of Angora goats, reference to. 447 — Advantages of the system :, . 448 Commercial features of the industry T. . 133 X. Index. PAGE Committee reports on "Davis" goats 191, 192, 193 Conolly, Capt., description of manner of manufacturing Alohair.... US — Reference to 232 Conklin Bros., letter from 223 — Statement from conoeining- theii- Angoras 3:8 — Reference to 328, 331, 442 — i\otes from, on practical oreeding 414, 434 — Reference to clearing brush land . 362 Connecticut, reference to Angoras in 96 — Reference to area adapted to Angoras in 297 — Notes from breeders in 135 Constantinople merchants, try to prevent export of Angora gor.cs.. 37 Consumption, reference to disease 28!) Cooper's dip, recommended for lice on Angoras 383 — Reference to by breeders 422, 4:J{i "Country Gentleman," extract from in 185G l!-9 — Extract from concerning importation of Price Maurice 50 Corn, as a feed for fattening Angoras 375 Corrals, when necessary 392 — How to construct 393 — How much to feed 375 Cost of bucks, reference to 260 Cost of keeping Angoras, opinions from breeders 403 to 435 Cotton seed meal, and hulls, as a fattening feed 374 — How much to feed 375 Crab-apple brush, reference to clearing -.351, 367 Cronch, Col. B. L., letter from 320 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 228 — Reference to clearing brush land 371 — Notes from on practical breeding -06, 433 — Reference to tariff on goats, and Mohair 406 Cross-breeding, extract from Schreiner on 16 ■ — Observations of Col. J. Wash Watts on 54 — In Asia Minor, encouraged by demand for Mohair 123 — Dr. J. B. Davis' first experiments 177 — Col. Richard Peters' expedience with 177 — In Turkey 178 — In oouth Africa 179, ld7 — Dr. Davis' later experience 188 — Report of Dr. Jno. Bachman on 195 —Opinion of Col. Robt. W. Scott on 207 —Opinion of Col. W. W. Haupt on 211 — Statement concerning, by M. TchihatchefT 216 Cross-breeding, chapter on 2^3 Reference to, by Dr. Hayes 245 Index. xi. PAGE —Reference to 246, 247, 240, 254 — In Turkey, reference to 253 Culling out old goats, reference to 390 Cumberbatch, H. A., description of Province of Angora 31 Cummings, Dr., reference to 328 Currie, Sir Philip, permit granted, to export Angoras 8G Dakota, North, reference to Angora goat industry in 93 — South, reference to Angora goat industry in 93 — Reference to 3( I2 Davenport, Col. B., introduces Angoras in Virginia 60 Davis, Dr. J. B., opinion concerning brush land in the South 22 — First to import Cashmere Goats to the United States 34 —Portrait of 44 — Biographical sketch of _ . . . 45 — Opinion concerning stock best adapted to the South 46 — Opinion concerning raising or Mohair in the United States... 46 — Sale of pure-breeds to Col. Richard Peters 47 — First experiment with crossing on common goats 52, 177 — Concerning improvement in Cashmere goats 187 — Reference to Cashmere goats 455, 459 Davis, Col. Zimmerman, letter from 46 — Letter concerning the "Davis" goats leo "Davis" goats, reference to 313, 343, 442, 459 — Reports on, by committees 191, 192, 195 — Not from Angora 2()(», 2(13 — Microscopic examination of fleece of 200 — Testimony of his daughter as to character of 205 "Davis Cashmere goats," reference to 197, 199 Darwin, Prof. Charles, on origin of goats 29 — Extract from concerning breeding, etc 236. 239 DeMoville, John A., reference to 300 Derby, Earl of, introduction of Angora goats into England 34 — Exchange made with Dr. J. B. Davis for Cashmeres 206 Devine, J. P., reference to by Col. W. W. Haupt 71) — Observations of respecting climate of Texas 77 '"Devine" goats, reference to 319, 320, 343. 442 Diehl, Hon. Israel H., concerning climate of the United States.... 47 — Reference to importation of Angoras in 1870 49 — Reference to early breeders in the United States 67 — Description of spinning Alohair in Turkey 118 . — Reference to the manufacture of Mohair 124 — Commissioned to visit Asia Minor 124 — Reference to different types of Angoras 181 xii. Index. PAGE — Opinion of as to pure-bred Angoras 215 — Reference to 235 — Reference to training and working goats 281 — Reference to millving goats 281 — Reference to cheese, and butter, from goats 284 Diehl and Brown, importation of 48, 235 — Reference to character of goats imported 49 "Diehl and Brown," goats, reference to 442 Dipping Angora goats, reference to 374, 382, 383 — Opinions of breeders, on 402 to 435 Dipping vat, where to locate, and how to construct 393 Dips, kinds recommended 383 Diseased cows condemned in Illinois 288 Diseases, freedom from in Angora goats 195, 367, 355 — Experience of Chas. S. Brown in New York 69 — Chapter on 376 — Mr. Tyson's experience 115 — Reported in Oregon 380 — Dr. M. Barrett's experience 67 — Dr. With3'combe's opinion 380 — Dr. McLeani's opinion 881 — Experience of practical breeders 402 to 435 Dissler, C, notes from on practical breeding 405, 433 Docking, reference to 399 Dodge, J. R., reference to importation by Price Maurice 50 Does, how to select 248 — When to cull out of breeding flock 390 — That do not own their kids, how to manage 397 Doe kids, when to begin breeding 388 Doe, reference to term 263, 265 Dogs, reference to ■. . 195. 200, 355, 387, 403. 416, 420 — Not advisable to permit all herders to use 392 — Raised by a doe very useful 392, 418 — Experience of Wm. Richter with 416 — Experience of E. R. Williams, with 418 Dogwood brush, reference to clearing 355, 366 Doughter & Luttrell, remarks on non-shedding Angoras 227 — Statement from concerning their Angora goats ' 320 — Notes from on practical breeding 405, 433 Dougherty, L. B., experience with Angoras 426 Dowell, O., statement from concerning his Angoras 323 — Reference to clearing vip brush 359 — Notes from, on practical breeding 410, 433 Dressendorfer, George, reference to 343 Iiidc.v. xiii. PAGE Dunison. James H., statement from concerning his goats 328 — Notes from, on practical breeding 417, 434 Dye, Hon. Franklin, concerning land in New Jersey 298 Eamen, T. F., reference to 446, 448 Early. J. B.. reference to 339 — Associates with Jno. S. Harris 92 Ears of the Angora, referred to by J. S. Harris 91 — Remarks on by Mr. Schreiner 187 — Remarks on by Dr. Jno. Bachman 196 — Reference to style of 259 —Reference to 213, 214, 215, 216, 259 "Eastern Province Herald," extract from 36 Edwards, Hon. A. H., letter from concerning brush clearing 348 • — Notes from on practical breeding 422, 433 Elberst. B. F., reference to 102, 446, 448 Elder brush, reference to clearing 355, 360, 361 Elder ash, reference to clearing 366 Elliott, W. H., committee report, on "Davis" goats 191 Elm brush, reference to clearing 356 Emnott, Jno. M.. reference to 138 England, first introduction of x^ngoras into 34 Eutichedes, A., importation of Angoras into the United States 49 —Reference to 323, 328 —Reference to 378, 422 Evans. J. B., reference to Angoras owned bj^ 180 Evans, Tom S.. remarks concerning non-shedding Angoras 227 — Statement from concerning his Angoras 320 — Notes from on practical breeding 408, 433 "Ewe," reference to term as applied to goats 263, 265 "Examiner." of Gallatin, Tenn., extract from 203 Expense of keeping goats 2G9, 272, 273 Experiments in acclimating the Llama end Alpaca 473 Exportation of Angoras prohibited in Turkey 36 Failure of industry in ^Missouri, reference to 68 Farms abandoned, reference to 295, 296 Farr Alpaca Co., reference to 128 Faure, Sir P., opposes Cape Colony export duty 108 Featherstone. R.. reference to Angoras bred by 180 Feeding Angora goats, reference to by E. R. Johns 155 — For market 374. 375 — During the winter 389 •—Reference to by practical breeders 402 to 435 xiv. Index. PAGE deeding milch goats, reference to "280 Fences, reference to by Col. Robt. W. Scott 64 —Reference to 351, 368, 387 — Reference to. b}' practical breeders 4U"2 to 435 Korn brush, reference to clearing 360, 361, 36',-' Fibre of mohair, difference in 180 Fiji Islands, first introduction into 35 Fink & Co., reference to im.portation from South Africa 51 Fink, Henry, statement from about his Angoras 319 — Notes from, on practical breeding 404 to 433 "Fink goats," reference to 320 Fir brush, reference to clearing 359 Finnegan, John & Co., reference to 138 Fiske, L. S. & Co., reference to 138 Fleeces, weight of original goats imported by Harris 91 — Average weight of in different States 104 — Classification of in different States 104 — Difference in Turkey 187 — Difference in South Africa 187 — Value of early American 192 — Reference to by Dr. John Bachman 197 — Of Cashmere goat, weight of 200, 202 — Of pure Angoras, opinions on 213, 216 —Reference to 229, 230, 256 — Of breeding sire 259 — Weight of, reference to ; 267 Flesh of Angoras, superior to mutton ■ 195 Flint & Sargent, importation into California 83 t locks, size of in Oregon 84 — Proper number of goats for 390 — Mixed, objection to 390 — Reference to sizes, by practical breeders 402 to 435 Food, influence of, in developing animals 186 Foot-rot, reference to 379 — Remedy for 379 — Reference to by Wm. M. Landrum 403 — Reference to by Jno. M. Arnold 404 Foreman, C. W., reference to 328 Formula for dressing Angora skins 485 Foster R. C, concerning Davis' Cashmere goats 199 Fox ears, reference to 259 France, first introduction of Angoras .into 34 Franz, Henry, reference to 3-^3 Index. XV. PAGE Fuclis. H. T.. statement from about his Angoras 319 — Notes from on practical breedisg 408, 433 — Opinion concerning non-shedding Angoras 225 Full-blood Angoras, reference to 212 —Use of, injured the industry at the start 110 Full-blood vs. pure-bred 248, 248, 2,50, 251, 254, 255, 256 Fulmer, F. S., experience in Virginia 66 Furs, made out of goat skins 148 Fur, from Cashmere goat, how gathered 199, 202, 207 Galbraith. FI. W., statement from about his Angoras 319 — Notes from, on practical breeding 403, 433 Garrett, J. W., statement from, about his Angoras 320 • — Notes from on practical breeding 407, 433 Garnett, L. G., reference to 85 Garrard. W. C., reference to Angoras in Illinois 94 Garst, Frank, reference to 85, 320, 343 — Letter from giving his experience with Angoras 436 Garvin, Hon. J. B., letter from concerning land in West Virginia.. 299 Gatherall, Garvin, on climatic influence in Turkey 182 Gatherall. George, letter concerning shipment to South Africa in 1895 36 — Reference to 446 — Reference to cross-breeding in Turkey 253 Georgia, reference to Angoras in 47 — Second State to handle Angora goats 55 — Reference to area in adapted to goats 303 Geredah Angoras, imported by Col. Richard Peters 49 Gestation, period of, in Angora goats 388 Goats, Bible testimony concerning 25 — Trained to work 281 — Greek authors' testimony concerning 26 —Tariff on 165 Goe, General J. S., experience in Pennsylvania 69 Gohl, Hon. T. S., letter from about land in Connecticut 297 Goodrich, Charles J., committee report on "Davis" goats 192 Gordan, C, F., reference to Angoras n Fiji Islands 35 Grades of ]\Iohair, reference to 141 — Should be made standard 141, 163 —In Turkey 142 Grading up Angoras, experience of J. C. P. McLendon 435 Grady, Hon. Henry W., interview with Col. Peters 61 Graves, E.. notes from on practical breedmg. 426, 434 Gray & Gilmore, importation of Angoras into California 83 Greasewood brush, reference to clearing 366 xvi. Index. PAGE Green (W. W.) goats, reference to 3"28 "Grubs," reference to cleaning 348 Guadalupe Island, reference to, by Dr. Hayes 38 — Reference to raising goats on 38, 230 Gunzer Bros., reference to goats of 340 Hair of the goat, Bible testimony, concerning 25 — Greek Authors, testimony concerning 26 Hair of the Angora, will not mix with common goat hair 174 Hair, red camels,' reference to 191 Hair, two kinds on one Angora : 191, 198, 207, 208 — Opinions of breeders about 222 — Microscopic examination of 201 — Qur\y, indication of purity 213, 214 Hall, Wm.. purchases Butterfield & Son s Angoras 89 Hamilton, James R., letter concerning feeding Angoras 374 — Notes from, on practical breeding 428, 435 Hamilton, Hon. John, letter from about lands in Pennsylvania.... 297 Hamilton, Jamess R., letter concerning feeding Angoras 374 Hand-breedmg, reference to 388 Hard-hack brush, reference to cleaning 366 Hardy, Col. Wm., introduces Angora goats into Arizona 93 Harland, Wm., reference to 328 Harper, Ira, statement about his Angoras 339 — Notes from on practical breeding 424, 434 Harris. John S., opinion as to origin of Angoras 29 — Account of journey into Caubmere 28 — Reference to sample of 22-inch Mohair 39 — Reference to Diehl & Brown importaton 49 — Reference to exports of Angoras from Turkey 78 — Biographical sketch of 86 • — Reference to non-shedding Angoras 230 ■ — Concerning Idaho as a goat country 302 — Statement from concerning his Angoras 339 — Notes from on practical breeding 427, 434 "Harris," goats, reference to 310, 331, 332, 442 Harris & Baylor goats, reference to 319, 423 Harris & Hall, importation of 49, 83 Hassler, J. M., statement about his Angoras 327 — Notes from on practical breeding 411, 433 Hatcher, Wm., reference to feeding Angoras 382 Haupt, Col. W. W., biographical sketch of 71 — Letter referring to cross-breeding 211 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 228 Iiidcs. PAGE — Reference to cross-breeds 254, 255 — Letter from concerning W. G. Hughes' goats 313 — Notes from on practical breeding 405, 438 "Haupt" goats, reference to 316, 442 Hawley, J. H., reference to clearing land 360 — Statement from about his Angoras 323 — Notes from on practical breeding 412, 433 Hayes, Dr. J. L., opinion concerning introduction of Angoras into Asia Minor 27 — Opinion of, concerning Cashmeres 27 — Opinion why the industry did not succeed in the United States 109 — Reference to Angoras in Australia 110 — Reference to manufacture of Mohair 121 — Reference to the applicaton of Mohair 126 — Reference to the application of skins for rugs 127 — Reference to pure-bred Angoras 213 — Extract from book of 244 — Reference to cross-breeding 255 — Reference to the Alpaca and its congeners 473 Hazel brush, reference to clearing. .351, 355, 356, 359, 360, 361, 365, 368 Head, Dr. James M., reference to goat raised by 203 Head of the Angora goat, opinions about 213, 214, 215, 216 Heever, Hon. Van den, supports export duty in South Africa 107 Henderson, Col., first importation to Cape Colony 35 Herding goats, cost of 269, 273 — Opinions from practical breeders 402 to 435 — Loose, reference to 392 — How it should be done 391 Herder's outfit, reference to 272, 394 —Rations 272, 394 Hermans, E. J., letter concerning land in Washington 301 Hickory brush, reference to clearing 355, 356, 367 — Black, reference to clearing 356 Hightower, J. C, statement from about his Angoras 332 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 229, 230 — Notes from on practical breeding 419, 434 — Reference to Angoras with two coats of hair 198 Hill, O. D., reference to 300 — Statement from about his Angoras 344 — Notes from on practical breeding 430, 435 — Reference to clearing brush 370 Hill, Albert J., letter from concerning British Columbia 40 Hoag, Capt. J. ^Murray, letter from 102 — Reference to clearing brush land 355 xviii. Index. PAGE Hockley, Mr., opposes export duty in South Africa 108 Hoerle, G. A., reference to importation by Fink & Co 51 • — Reference to Angoras with two kinds of hair 208 ■ — Opinion of, as to point of a pure-breed 215 — Reference to non-shedding Angoras 224 Hogs, in same pasture with goats 387 Holder, J. F., statement about his Angoras 339 — Notes from concerning practical breeding 423, 434 Hottins, S. B., certificate of merit about Dr. Standley mohair 161 Holt, Lafayette, referring to Angoras in North Carolina 93 — Statement about his Angora goats 344 — Reference to clearing brush land 369 — Notes from on practical breeding 431, 435 Hooker, John L., reference to 343 Horn, C. S., reference to clearing brush land 369 — Reference to Angoras in Illinois 94 Horn, Wm., statement about his Angora goats 339 --Notes from on practical breeding 424, 434 Horns of Angoras 187, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 259, 291 Hornless Angoras, concerning buck imported 49 —Reference to by S. S. McKibben 102 —Reference to 216, 221-3, 225-8, 231-3, 336 Houck, Geo. A., concerning industry in Oregon 84 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 228 ■ — Statement from, about his Angoras 327 — Reference to clearing land 3(jO — Notes from, on practical breeding 409, 433 "Houck" goats, reference to 323 Hughes, W. G., concerning advantages in Tennessee iVsJ^*^*^ — Statement from, about his Angora " Wr^^^ — Letter from, on practical breeding 437 — Remarks on non-shedding Angora 226 "Hughes" goats, reference to 327 Hull, John, reference to 328 Humphrey, Wm., reference to sheep industry 442 Hunter, J. D., Notes from on practical breeding 408, 433 Hutchins & Co., reference to 138 Ibex, a description of 481 Idaho, reference to 86, 294, 302 Illinois, reference to Angoras in 47 — Reference to industry now 94 Importing Angora goats — how it may be done 445 ■ — Opinons of breeders on 402 to 435 Index. xix. PAGE Importations of Angora goats into the United States 48, 49, 51 Importations from South Africa SI Incidental, or by-products of Angora goats 276 Increase, estimate in breeding, by Sir Sam's Wilson 112 Increase, percentage of, opinions of breeders 4U2 to 435 In-breeding, reference to 259 Indiana, reference to Angora goats in 95 Indian Territory, notes from breeders in 435 Industry in Angora, why it has been so backward 109 — Dr. Hayes' opinion why it has not grown 109 Index 489 Iowa State fair, the system of, commended 18 Iowa, reference to Angoras in, by Hon. I. H. Diehl 18 — Notes from breeders in 433 — Reference to industry at the present time 96 Ivy, and laurel, injurious to Angoras 55 "James' History of Worsted Manufacture," extract from 122 Japan clover, observations of Col. J. Wash Watts 54 Jarvis, William, reference to sheep industry 442 Jastremski, Hon. Leon, letter from, about Louisiana 301 Jaubert, Mons., concerning Cashmere goats in France 458 Jewett, Hon. Wm. J., concerning Angoras in Turkey 445 Johns, A, L.. letter from, about Angoras in stock yards 155 Johnson, O. O., reference to Angoras in North Dakota 93 Johnson, R. C, reference to Angoras in Kansas 94 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 340 — Reference to clearing brush land 366 — Reference to fattening Angoras for market 375 — Notes from, on practical breeding 429, 435 — Connection with Angora Goat Breeders Asssociation 446, 448 Johnson, R. P., committee report on "Davis" goats 192 Johnson, Cuthbert W., reference to milking 284 Kansas, reference to Angoras in 47, 94 — Notes from breeders in 435 Kemp, reference to 211, 227, 229, 230, 248, 250, 256 Kentucky, reference to Angoras in 47 Kennedy, John, letter from, concerning non-shedding Angoras 231 Kennedy, Chas. F., letter from, about Angoras in Indiana 95 Kids, two at a birth due to crossing 187 —Reference to, by Dr. John Bachman 196 — That do not shed first hair 222 —Number at a birth 388 — When they should come / 388 XX. Index. PAGE • — Reference to weaning '. . 390 — Reference to marking with paint 397 — Twins, how to manage 397 — Reference to staking 397, 4"29 — Reference to penning 397, 4"29 — When to be allowed to go with flock 397 — Estimate of increase of, by breeders 402 to 435 — Crooked and deformed 41(3, 418 "Kid," reference to term 263, 265 Kid Skin, reference to 276> Kidding season, reference to 384 — Hogs should be removed from pasture 387 — How to regulate work during 396 — Reference to, by Col. Robt. W. Scott 64 — Original Angora, only had one 42 Kitching & Bicknell, reference to 138, 338 Knapp, B. S., reference to 343 ivoiner, Hon. Geo. W., letter from concerning land in Virginia 299 "Kurd" goat, Peglar's description of 26 — Reference to, by M. Boulier 253, 254 — Crossing with the Angora 42, 178 Kypelogion, George, reference to 446 Lace Trimming, reference to 279 Lamp mats, reference to 279 Landrum, Wm. M., reference to Guadalupe Island 38 — Shears an Angora having 22-inch mohair 39 — Reference to Chenery importations 48 — Reference to Diehl & Brown importation 49 ^Reference to A. Eutichides importation 49 — Reference to importation of Geredah goats 49 — Reference to Harris & Hall importation 49 — Biographical sketch of 79 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 227 — Reference to 230, 232 — Reference to hornless Angoras 233 — Reference to Asiatc scab 378 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 316 — Notes from, on practical breeding 403, 433 •'Landrum" goats, reference to 316, 319, 320, 324, 332, 339, 423, 442 Landrum & Butterfield, reference to 327 Landrum & Rodgers, reference to 327 Laurel, mountain, reference to 360, 365, 366 Laurel, poison, reference to 369 Laurel and Ivy, reference to 55 Index. xxi. PAGE Lea. Overton, reference to 300 Leafe. R. B., first introduction of Angoras on Fiji Islands 35 Lee. Dr. R. J., reference to goat's milk 290 Lee, C. C, opposition to export duty in South Africa 106 — Reference to Angora goat owned by 181 Ledger, Charles, reference to Llama and Alpaca 47o Lice, on Angoras, reference to 374, 382 — Dippng for, opinions of breeders 402 to 435 Lime and Sulphur, reference to 378, 383 Linde, J. C. & Co.. reference to 138 Linton, R. J., statement from, about his Angoras 332 — Notes from, on practical breeding 1:18, 134 Lippincut. A., statement from, about his Angoras 843' — Reference to clearing brush 367 — Notes from, on practical breeding 426, 434 Llama shawls, reference to 127 Llama and Alpaca, description of 467 Lobo, reference to 399 London wool market, reference to 153 Lop ears, reference to 259 Losses, reference to 268 — Estimates of by practical breeders 402 to 435 Louisiana, reference to Angora goats in 96 — Reference to lands in 301 Lowry, R. H., one of the early breeders in Texas 76 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 228 • — Statement about his Angora goats 319 — Notes from, on practical breeding 407, 433 Luckie, W. F., reference to non-shedding bucks 224 Lung sickness, reference to 376 Maasdorp, Hon. G. H., opposes export duty in South Africa . .. .106, 107 Madrone saplings, reference to 365 Maine, reference to Angoras in 95 — Number of mohair mills in 130' — Reference to area in. suitable for Angoras 295, 303 Maltese goats, reference to 243, 247, 255, 436 Mange, reference to 378 Manufacture of mohair, in Asia Minor 117 — Described by Hon. Israel H. Diehl 118 — Reference to, by Dr. J. L. Hayes 121 — Reference to, in England 121 — In the United States 1-3 — In the Unted States, encouraged by Hon. Isaac Newton 124 — Application of products 1-*^ xxii. Index. PAGE Manure, reference to 286, 355 Manzanita brush, reference to 365 Mapes, James J., committee report on "Davis" goats 192 Maple, brush, reference to 365, 366 — Fine, reference to 359, 361 Market, concentrating on one 151 Marking kids, with paint 397 —How done 399 —To tell age of 399 —To tell sex of '. 399 Marshall, H. B., reference to non-shedding Angoras 228 — Notes from, on practical breeding , 407, 433 Maryland, refererbce to Angora goats in 47 — Reference to Angora goats in, by Hon. Geo. A. Porter 69 — Reference to lands adapted to goats in 299 Massachusetts, reference to Angoras in 47 — Experience in, by W. W. Chenery 70 — Extract from newspaper concerning abandoned farms in 70 — Number of mohair mills in 130 — Reference to lands, suitable for Angoras : 297 Masters, Mr., statement from, about his Angoras 324 — Notes from, on practical breeding 412, 433 Masters. Rev. C. B., reference to 324 Mastin. T. H., reference to 446, 448 Matchings, reference to 143 Maugher, M., letter concerning Jno. S. Harris 90 Maurice, Price, reference to importations by 50 Maxwell land grant farm, reference to 85, 436 Maze, E., statement from, about his Angoras 331 — Notes from on practical breeding 414, 433 — Reference to clearing brush 362 Meat of the Angora, opinion of Dr. Barrett 67 — Superior to Mutton 1-54 • — Opinion of Dr. Jno. Bachman 155 — Report of committee on 195 — Reference to 276 Estimated value of 272 Mesquite tree, reference to 370, 371 Mexican goats, reference to 230, 243, 247, 268, 271 Michigan, reference to Angoras in 47 — Reference to industry at present 94 "Midland News and Karoo Farmer," extract from lOfi Milk of goats, reference to, by Col. J. Wash. Watts 55 —Great benefit of, with children . ■,, 289, 290 Index. XJiiii. PAGE — Analysis of 285 Milking qualites -281, 284, 287. 288, 425 Miles, T. Glome, introduces Angoras into Montana 93 — Statement from, about his .'\ngoras 339 — Notes from, on practical breeding .427. 434 Miller & Sibley, reference to clearing brush 369 Minnesota, reference to Angoras in 47. 93, 368 — Notes from Breeders in 434 Missouri, notes from breeders in 434 — Reference to Angoras in 47 — Failure of industry in, cause of 68 — Present condition of industry in 68 INIississippi, reference to Angoras in 96 Mohair, amount consumed in the world 138 — Advantages of United States climate in producing 139 — Estimated amount of, required by railroads for seats 140 —How it is graded 14<), 141 — Necessity for a national standard grade 141 — How to determine value of 143 — How manipulated by manufacturer 128, 143 — Amount of noilage in Turkish 143 — Amount of noilage in United States 143 — Very coarse, used for dolls' hair, wigs, etc 143 — Prices of, in England since 1856 144 — Plow to j)repare for market 145 — Overproduction of 160 — Tarifif on 161 — Spinning capacity of, compared with wool 164 —Difference in 180, 181, 187 — Length of, can be increased by breeding 174 — Climatic influence on 182. 185, 191 — Growing districts in Asia jMinor, table 183 — Difference in lengths of 212, 214, 215 — Difference in color 212 — First shipment from Gape Golony 36 — Superiority of American 4^ — Certificate of merit concerning Iowa mohair 101 — Amount produced in diff'ercnt States 104 — Manufacture of, in Asia Minor 117 — Not allowed to be exported from Asia ]\Iinor 117 — When first shipped into England 121 — How the product was encouraged in Turkey 123 —Products oi ■ 126 — Great durability of products • • • 1-° Indeix PAGE — Amount consumed in the United States 130, 131 —Imports into the United States from 1890 to 1894 '. . . 130 —Where to sell 136, 138 — Value of, governed by fashions 136, 139 — Table of imports into England 137 — Estimate of yield from 1,500 Angoras in ten years 269 — How to sack for market 396 — Greasy, or oily, remarks on by W. G. Hughes 226 — Most salable length 259 — Reference to market value of 272 — In Turkey, what districts produce the best 434 Montana, reference to 93, 294, 304 — Range of, supposed to develop large frames 192 "Montana Stockman and Farmer," extract from 304 Montgomery, Ward & Co., reference to catalogue of 168 Moon, A., statement from about his Angoras 331 — Notes from, on practical breeding 418, 434 Moore, Chas. T., reference to 343 Morgan & Morgan, statement about their Angoras 336 — Reference to clearing brush land 356 — Notes from, on practical breeding 422, 433 Morton, T. C.. statement from, about his Angoras 336 — Reference to clearing brush 102, 356 — Notes from, on practical breeding 422, 433 Moses, reference to 263 Mosenthall, A. & Co.. last importation into South Africa 38 Mothers, how to manage a poor one 397 Mountain Laurel, reference to 360, 365, 366 Mufifs, reference to 279 Mullin, reference to 356 Murphy, T. A., reference to 343 Mutton, growing demand for 157 — Table of receipts at Chicago 157 — Compared with cattle 157 McCorkle, Mr., reference to 340 McDonald, James, statement from, about his Angoras 324 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 228 — Reference to clearing brush 361 — Notes from, on practical breeding 413, 433 McDougall's dip, reference to 411 Mclntire, W. T., reference to 446, 448 McKee, Wm. R., statement about his Angoras 314 — Reference to clearing land 371 — Notes from on practical breeding 408, 433 Index PAGE McKeen, B. Walker, letter from, about land in Maine 295 — Letter from, about Angoras in Maine 95 McKinley, Hon. Wm., restores tarifif on mohair 162 INIcKibben, S. S.. reference to Angoras in Iowa 102 — Reference to hornless Angoras 102, 235, 443 — Statement from, about his Angoraa 336 — Reference to clearing brush 355 — Reference to clearing farm of 348 — Experience in feeding Angoras 375 —On effects of climate 381 — Notes on practical breeding 422, 433 ^IrLendon. J. C. P., concerning non-shedding Angoras 222 — Letter from, concerning breeding 439 JNIcLean. Dr.. opinion as to cause of death in many cases 381 "Nanny." reference to term as applied to goats 263, 264, 265 Nebraska, reference to Angoras in 93 Nettle, reference to : 362 Nevada, estimated number of Angoras ''n 85 New Hampshire, reference to Angoras in 95 — Reference to lands in 296 New Jersey, number of mohair mdls in 130 — Reference to lands in, suited to goats 298 Nev, ^lexico. reference to 294, 302, 305 — Eirst Angoras introduced into 85 Newton, Hon. Isaac, reference to breeding Angoras in United States, 124 — Reference to manufacture of mohair in United States 125 — Reference to manufacture of Cashmere wool 125 Newspaper extracts concerning "Davis" goats. 191 New York, reference to Angora goats in 47 — First Angoras introduced 69 — Experience in, of Chas. S. Brown 69 — Number of mohair mills in 130 — State fair committee report on "Davis" goats 191 — Reference to lands in. suited to goats 298 Nillson. Chris., statement about his Angoras 340 — Notes from, on practical breeding 428, 434 Noila.ge. reference to 143 Non-shedding Angoras 20o, 217. 218, 221, 223, 225-31, 443 — On Guadulupe Island 39 —Letter from J. C. P. McLendon 223 — Letter from Conklin Bros 223 — W. F. Luckie, experience 224 — Geo. A. Hoerle, experience with 224 xxvi. Index. PAGE Norcup, A. D., statement about his Angoras 335 — Notes from, on practical breeding .420, 434 North. S. N. D., reference to 130 Notes from practical breeders 401 to 435 Oak brush, reference to 356, 359, 360, 361, 368 Oak, black, reference to clearing 365 Oak, poison, reference to 360 Oak, pin, reference to clearing 365 Oak, live,' reference to 370, 371 Oak, shin, reference to 370, 371 Oaks, Jacob, statement about his Angoras 331 — Notes from, on practical breeding 417, 434 Qbye, Scott, statement about his Angoras 323 — Reference to clearing brush land 361 — Notes from, on practical breeding 410, 438 Ofif-colored goats, reference to 209. 211, 212 Ogden. Philo, statement about his Angoras 328 — Notes from, on practical breeding . , 417, 434 Ohio, reference to Angora goats in 47 —Remarks of S. S. Williams 69 Oklahoma, reference to Angoras in 94 Onderdonk, Chas. S., letter from 85 Onderdonk Live Stock Co., reference to 85 — Statement from, about their goats 335 — Notes from, on practical breeding 420 Oregon, when the Angora was first introduced 84 — Climate adapted to growing mohair 84 — Angoras largely used for clearing land 84 — Angora Goat Breeders' Association, officers of 85 — Mohair clip of, opinion of H. M. Williamson 105 —Reference to 294, 302, 360 — Notes from breeders in 433 "Oregon Agriculturist and Rural Northwest," extract from. .106, 295, 380 Osage Orange hedge, reference to 64, 351 Osborne, J. J., notes from, on practical breeding 418 Outfit for shepherd 272 Outram, Benj., reference to manufacture of Alpaca 122 Overproduction, is there danger of 159 Ozark Mountains, reference to 367 Page's woven-wire fence, reference to 368 Paine, Brig. -Gen. A. E.. opinion on Cashmere wool 08 Paine, Hon. Thos. H., reference to lands in Tennessee 300 Index. xxvii. Paiseley, Scotland, Cashmere wool exported to 192, 200. 203, 459 Palmer, James B., reference to 344 Parish, Col. W. D., purchase of t\\ o imported Angoras 49 —Reference to, by Col. W. W. Haupt 76 — Reference to, by Geo. W. Baylor 78 — Made no direct importations from Turkey 78 — His first Angoras referred to by Jno. S. Brown 78 — As a factor in building up industry in Texas 78 "Parish" goats, reference to 216. 314, 315, 316, 319, 443 Pastures, how to manage goats in 384 Pasturing goats with other stock, reference to 387 Patterson, James, notes from, on practical breeding 405, 433 Pauls, G., reference to 343 Payne, Wm. R., letter concerning census of Angoras 103 — Reference to mohair grown in the United States 105 — Prominent factor in mohair trade 138 — Extract from circular of 208 Peach trees, reference to 369 Peglar, S. H., description of Kurd goat 26 — Opinion of, as to pure-bred Angoras 213 — Reference to 289 — Description of Cashmere .goat 456 Pennsylvania, reference to Angoras in 47 — Experience of Gen. J. S. Goe in 69 — Experience of Dr. F. F. Robinson 69 —Letter from Miller & Sibley 69 — Number of mohair mills in 130 — Reference to lands in, for goat raising 297 Penning goats, reference to, by practical breeders 402 to 435 Pens, for kidding, reference to 397 Pepper, Jeff, statement from, about his Angoras 315 — Notes from, on practical breeding 404 to 435 Pepper, B. F., reference to 371 Pepperwood brush, reference to 365, 366 Persian goats, reference to 455 Pets, reference to 280 Peters, Col. Richard, goats, reference to 229 — Extract from writings of 249 — Reference to breeding grade bucks 250 — Reference to terms applied to goats 265 — Reference to 344, 477 — Father of Angora goat industry 20 — Purchases the "Davis" goats 47 xxviii. Index. PAGE — Importation of Angoras 49 — Biographical sketch of 55 — Observations in breeding and handling fil, 63 — Reference to, by Dr. Hayes 110 — Experience with cross-breeding 177 — Premium awarded to 192 — Opinion as to breed of the "Davis" goats 197, 198 — Opinion about shedding mohair 218 "Peters" goats, reference to, by Dr. Jno. Bachman 195 —Reference to 316, 319, 336, 343, 439, 442 "Philadelphia Ledger," extract from about "Davis" goats 202 Phillips, Jos., reference to 300 Piles, reference to 381 — Remedy for 381 Place, Mr. W. H., observations about milk 286 Plaster, Dr. P. C, observations about Angora 95 Plush, amount required by railroads 140 Plum brush, reference to 351 Pleuro-pneumonia, epidemic in Cape Colony 376 Poison Ivy, reference to 365, 370 Poison Oak, reference to 365 Poison laurel, reference to 369, 370 Poisoning of goats, reference to 382 — Remedy for 382 Polled Angora goats 225 to 228, 231 to 233 Pollonau, Mons, reference ro 458 Pollonceau, Mons, reference to 458 Poor, H. v., reference to plush used by lailroads 140 Porter, Hon. Geo. A., reference to Angoras 69 Poverty in winter, reference to 380 Practical parts of the industry 171 Prices of mohair in England since 1856 144 "Presbyterian Herald," extract from 202 Products from mohair 126 — From mohair that are standard 131 Profits on 1,500 Mexican does 269 Profits on 1,500 Angora does 270 Province of Angora, description of 31 Puppy raised by a goat very useful 392 Pure-bred vs. full-blood 248, 249, 250, 251, 254, 255 Pushm, or fur, from Cashmeres 29 Quatrefages, 31. de, reference to 245, 250 Index PAGE Randall, Dr., reference to 245 Range for goats, reference to 293, 294 — Number of acres required for handling 389 — How to handle on the open 389 "Ram," reference to term as applied to goats 263, 265 Rations for shepherds, cost of ■ 272 Rattle-snake bites, reference to 382 — Remedy for 382 Rebeka, reference to 263 Redwood, reference to 362 Register for Angora goats, opinion of breeders 402 to 435 — Chapter on 442 Registration qualifications 447 Regnault, Mons., analysis of milk 285 Regsby, John, reference to 343 Rennick, James, committee report on "Davis goats 191 Rex, John, reference to goats owned by 180 Rhode Island, number of mohair mills in 130 Richter, Wm., notes from, on practical breeding 416, 434 Rippey, J. R., letter from, concerning Missouri 68, 113 Kocky Mountain goats, reference to 188, 241 — Description of 463 Rodgers, James M., reference to 83 Rogers, Frank H., reference to 293, 294 — Remarks on clearing brush 360 — Notes from, on practical breeding 412, 433 Rugs, made from Angora goat skins 150 — Made from Chinese goat skins 168 — Illustration of 277 — Natural shaped 279 Ruepple, Charles, reference to 343 Ruime, R. H., reference to , . . . . 343 Rusk, Hon. J. INI., reference to 151, 152, 157 Rymerson, Col., reference to 436 Sacking mohair, how it is done 396 Saddle pockets, reference to 279 Saddle girths, reference to 28G Saddle blankets, reference to 280 Sallall, reference to 360 Salmon berry brush, reference to 360 Salt, Sir Titus, first importation of Angoras into England 34 —Co-operates in building up South African industry 35 —Benefits resulting from his enterprise 121 XXX. Index. PAGE — First experiment with Alpaca ' 122 — Erection of mohair inills in Bradford 123 Salt, reference to the use of 384, 889 Sargent Bros., reference to 339 Scab, reference to 376, 378 — Asiatic, reference to 378 —Remedy for 378 Schreiner, S. C, extract from, concerning crossing 16 — Extract from, concerning early Angoras 41 — Extract from, concerning Australia 50 — On effects of crossing vith the common goat 187 — Extract from, concerning hornless' goats 232 — Remarks on pleuro-pn'eumonia 376 — Concerning cross-breeding in Turkey 253, 254 — Remarks on scab, in Cape Colony 378 — Reference to terms applied to Angora goats 265 — Remarks on South African Angor&s 444 Schaffer, Dr. Geo. L-, microscopic examination of hair 200 Scott, Col. Robt. W., observations of, on the Angora goat 64 — Reference to, by Dr. Hayes 110 —Description of Angora with two coats of hair 207 — About shedding of mohair 218 — Reference to full-bloods 255 — Reference to kemp 256 — Reference to terms applied to Angoras 265 "Scott" goats, reference to 319, 336, 439, 442 Scours, reference to 380 —Remedy for 380 Screw-worm, reference to 379 ^Remedy for " 379 Seever, Wm. J., reference to industry in Missouri 68 — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 343 — Reference to clearing weeds . . . _. 367 — Notes from, on practical breeding 426, 434 Selecting does 248 Shearing, observations of J. P. Devine in 1877 77 —Goats 145 — Importance of shearing machines 145 — Capacity, reference to 260, 271 —Reference to 271, 384 — How regulated as to season 394 — Twice a year, reference to 395, 402 to 435 - — Gangs of Texas, system of 395 — Machine, reference to •. . . . 395 Index. xxxi. PAGE — Capacity of best Angoras in Turkey 445 — Losses sustained by want of shelter, during 396 — Sheds, • how to construct 396 Sheds, reference to 375. 384, 390 — Portable, reference to 390 — For shearing, reference to 396 Sheddnig goats, reference to, by breeders 402 to 435 Shedding of mohair, reference to 218 — At different seasons of the year 222 — Sheep, reference to 224 Sheep, receipts of, in Chicago for thirty-three years 158 Sheep, and Angoras, will not interbreed 387 Shelley, Dr. Chas. Edward, reference to goats' milk 290 Shelter, necessity for. at times 384, 390 — Economy in building 384 — Opinions of breeders on 402 to 435 Shepherd's outfit, cost of 272 — Rations, cost of 272 — Dogs, not always advisable to use 392 Shin oak. reference to 370, 371 Shivland & Thomas import Angoras into California 83 Sires. Selection of 248 Skins, description of Asiatic goat 28 — Reference to, by Dr. M. Barrett 67 —Used for rugs 127 — Angora, how to prepare for market 147 ' — How they are graded 147 • — Turkish, value of 147 — Cape of Good Hope, value of 147 — American value of 147 —From the kid 147 —Tariff on 166, 167 — Largely used by furriers 148 — Formula for dressing 485 — Asiatic goats 169 Sligo Furnace Co., reference to 343 Smith. C. D., letter concerning Michigan 94 Solomon, reference to 264 Somerville. Lord, reference to 173 Sore feet, reference to 380 South Carolina, first to handle Angoras 52 —Letter from Col. J. Wash. Watts 53 South Africa, tax on exporting Angoras 106 — Compared w ith the United States 115 — Imports of mohair from 137, 138 xxxii. Index. PAGE South African breeders, reference to buying bucks 260 "Southern Central Agricuhural Association," report of committee.. 195 "Southern Farmer," letter to, from Col. W. W. Haupt 211 — Extract from 255 Southgate, Bishop, reference to 205 Spain, first introduction of Angoras into 34 Smith, F. G., reference to clearing brush 362 — Notes from, on practical breeding 414, 434 Spofiford, Dr. F. A., reference to Dakota 93 Spinning of mohair explained 129 Standley, Dr. J. R., statement about his Angoras 336 — Credit due, for introducing goats as brush cleaners 20 —Reference to 336, 343, 348, 355 — Purchase of the "Peters" goats 62 — Paper from, on clearing brush 351 — Reference to clearing brush 96 — Reference to dipping for lice 383 — Biographical sketch of 96 — Notes from, on practical breeding 421, 433 — Certificate of merit concerning mohair 101 — In connection with American Angora Goat Breeders' Ass'n. . 446 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 229 "Standley" goats, reference to 336, 343 Standard grades for mohair 141, 15S Staking kids, how it was done 397 Sterne, Laurence, quotation from 394 Stewart, D. C, & Sons, reference to 324 Stewart, Henry, extract from 240 Stump, Hon. J. B., reference to 85 Stiles, Hon. W. H., reference to 50, 243 "Stockman and Farmer," extract from 445 Stockwell, Hon. J. W., letter about Massachusetts 297 Sumac brush, reference to 355, 367, 370, 371 Sulphur and lime 378, 383 Sweet, Maj. W. E., reference to Asiatic scab 378 Sumner Cashmere Co., experience of 68 "Sumner (Tenn.) Flag," extract from 203 Table showing increase of Angoras, by Sir Sam'l Wilson 112 — Of mohair growing districts in Turkey 183 —Of profits on 1,500 Mexican does 269 —Of profits on 1,500 Angora does 270 — Referring to shearing capacity of Angoras in United States, 308, 309 Tabulated list of replies from breeders 433, 434, 435 Index. XXXlll. PAGE Tanning the Angora goat skin 485 Tape-worm, remedy for 379 Tariff on Angoras, exported' from Cape Colony lOG, 1G4 — Embargo on exporting from Turkey 36, 164 — Reference to. as a means of encouraging the American industry, 131 — On mohair at present time 161 — General purpose of 163 — On live goats 16-5 — On goat skins 166 — On goat skins, who are benefitted now 168 — On Mexican goats and mohair, referred to by B. L. Crouch. . 406 Tate. A. R.. reference to cleaning brush land 356 — Notes from, on practical breeding 4"21, 433 Tattooing, reference to 399 Taylor, D. C. reference to 85 — Remarks on non-shedding Angoras 22£i — Statement from, concerning his Angoras 33"2 — Notes from, on practical breeding 419, 434 Tchihatcheff, M., reference to cross-breeding in Turkey "216 Teeth of the Angora goat 372 Tennessee, obsers'ations on breeding in, by Col. R. Williamson 68 — Opinion of Brig.-Gen. E. A. Paine 68 — Reference to Angoras in, by Hon. I. H. Diehl 47, 68 — Reference to area for goat raising 300 — Opinion of W. G. Hughes as to advantages of 300 Ternaux. Baron, reference to crossing the Cashmer and Angora .... 458 Terms to be applied to Angoras "263 Terrell, Mr., reference to 344 Tessier, Mons., concerning Cashmere goats in France 458 Texas, reference to Angoras in, by Hon. I. H. Diehl 47 — Notes from breeders in 433 — Estimated number of goats in 79 Texas, West, advantages of, for goat raising 293 — Rental of lands 293 —Cost of landfe in 293 — How to acquire lands in 294 — Reference to brush land in 37(1 "Texas Stockman and Farmer," extract from 445 Thibet goat, reference to 188, 196, 197, 202, 203, 205, 206, 455 Thistle, Canada, reference to 347. 361, 368 Thistles, reference to 356, 361, 362, 366 Thimbleberry brush, reference to 360 Thomas & Cook, prominence in English mohair trade 13i) Thomas, Hon. Frances, concerning Alpacas 476 xxxiv. Index. PAGE Thompson, John R., reference to 230 TWtik, reference to 117, Tobacco and corrosive sublimate as a remedy for scab 378, 383 Tom, Oscar, remarks on non-shedding Angoras 229 "Tom" goats, 'reference to 323 Tom, Oscar, statement about his Angora goats 324 — Reference to clearing brush land 362 — Notes from, on practical breeding -ti2, 433 Tongue, Hon. Thos. H., reference to clearing brush 359 — Notes from, on practical breeding 409, 433 —Letter to. from Hon. H. S. Jev ett 445 Toothless Angoras, reference to 373 Top, reference to 143 Tour de Aignes, M. de la, reference to 34, 244, 247 Tournefort, M., report to French king about Angoras 34 Tower, C. M., reference to Cashmere goats 456, 458 Trapping wild animals 400 Tschudi, reference to the Ibex 481 Turkey, imports of mohair from, into England 137, 138 Turkeyberry brush, reference to 351 Tuberculosis, reference to 289 Tuft in forehead, reference to 259 Turkish system of grading mohair 142 — Angora goat skns, value of 147 — Angora goat skins, how prepared 147 Tuthill, C. D., introduces first Angoras into Minnesota' 93 — Reference to clearing brush land 368 — Notes from, on practical breeding 425, 434 Tuttle, Dr., statement concerning his Angoras 340 — Reference to clearing brush land 366 — Notes from, on practical breeding 427, 434 Twin kids, reference to by breeders 402 to 435 Tyson, Mr., on feeding Angora goats 155 — Of Blair, Neb., on feeding Angoras 375 United States, first introduction of Angoras 34, 45 —Product of mohair in 104, 138 — Advantages of climate 138 • — Agricultural Society report on "Davis" goats 192 — Number of Angora goals in 104 Utah, reference to Angoras in 92 — Reference to 302 — Notes from breeders in 435 Utrecht velvet, number of men employed in making 126 — Largely used for United States railroad cars 128 Index. . XXXV. PAGE Value of mohair, how lo determine 143 Van Hosear, D. H., reference to 344 Vat, for dipping Angoras, how to construct 393 Venison, Angora, opinon concerning 35 — As a salable product 154 — Opinion of Dr. John Bachman 155 — Superiority over common goat 158 — Reference to term applied to meat 266 Vermont, reference to Angoras in 95 — Reference to area for goat raising 296 Virginia, first Angoras introduced into 66 — Reference of Dr. Hayes to Col. Herman Haupt 66 — Observations of F. S. Fulmer 66 — Observations of Dr. M Barnett 66 — Reference to area in, for goat raising 299 Wakeley's dip, reference to 411 Walker, John, reference to breeding in Missouri 68, 113 Walker, D. A., statement about his Angoras 324 — Remarks on non-shedding Angorj.s 229 — Reference to clearing brush 360 — Notes from, on practical breeding 410, 433 Walnut, reference to goats clearing 367 Washington, reference to Angoras in 92 — Reference to area for goats in 301, 302 Water, influence of in developing animals 186 — Very necessary for goats 389 Water Oxen imported by Dr. Davis 206 Watts, Col. J. Wash., reference to importation of Mr. Stiles 50 — Letter from, concerning Angora industry 53 — Reference to milch goats 287 —Reference to Maltese goats 243, 244 — Reference to clearing brush 369 — Reference to breeding grade bucks 250 — Notes from, on practical breeding 431, 435 Watts, Hon. Frederick, reference to A-pacas 476 Watts, John D., reference to 369 Wattles, reference to 260 Weeds, removal of, by Angoras 352, 355, 356, 367, 368 "Weekly American Banner," of Yazoo, Miss., extract from 201 Weiting, Hon. Chas. A., letter concerning land in New York 298 Weistrand, E., statement about his Angoras 332 — Notes from, on practical breeding 420, 434 Wells, cost of digging, in New Mexico 421 xxxvi. Index. PAGE West Virginia, reference to SOO Wether goats, experience of breeders in selling 402 to 435 Wether, term applied to Angoras 265 Wethers, hard to sell in large numbers 114 White, Mrs. H. K., letter concerning Dr. Davis 45 — Letter concerning "Davis" goats 198, 204 Whitefire brush, reference to 366 Wheat screenngs, as a feed for goats 374 Weinaud, Mr., advocates export duty in South Africa 108 Wilcox, A. G., reference to clearing brush 368 — Notes from, on practical breeding 425, 434 Wild animals, reference to 399 — How to poison 400 — Reference to, by breeders 404 to 435 Wild cat, reference to 387, 399 Wilder, James, remarks on non-shedding Angoras 229 ^Statement from, about his Angoras 328 — Notes from, on practical breeding 418, 434 Wild goat, reference to 241 Williams, E. R., reference to clearing trush 362 — Notes from, on practical breeding 418, 434 Williams, S. S., remarks about Cashmere goats Q9 — Reference to goats owned by 206 Williamson, H. M., letter from about census of Angoras 105 Williamson, Col. R., observations on breeding 68 Williamson, Adams & Co. goats described 199 Wilson, Hon. John, interest m.anifested in Angora industry 108 Wilson, Sir Samuel, reference to Australia Ill — Estimate of increase in Australia 112 —Reference to Cashmere goats 457 — Opinion concerning improvement 459 Wimmer, J. M., statement about his Angoras 331 — Notes on practical breeding 414, 434 Winter feeding, observatons of Col. Scott 64 Witch hazel brush, reference to 351 Withycombe, Dr., opinion on reported disease 380 Wolf, reference to 387, 399 Wood, C. B., reference to 344 Woodward, N., statement about his Angcras 323 — Reference to clearing brush 359 — Notes on practical breeding 413, 433 Woodlief, W. H., reference to 446 Wool, system of selling criticised 152 Worms in Angoras 379 Index. xxxvii.- PAGE- — Screw 379 — Tape 3(9 — Remedy for tapeworm 379 • Woven-wire fencing 351, 368, 387 Wyatt, Robt. H., statement about his Angoras 319 ' — Notes from, on practical breeding 402, 433 Wyoming, reference to Angoras in 92 — Reference to 294- — Notes from breeders in ... 434 Yarn, mohair, chief use of 129 Young, Brigham, introduces Angoras into Utah 92 Young, J. K., notes from, on practical breeding 430, 435 Zinoleum dip, reference to 427 Zwart Ruggens Association opposes export tax in South Africa 106