Weekly Trinity journal., 1871-12-02
THE ANGORA GOAT.

In view of the fact that large number of
these animals have lately been brought to this
county, we publish the following extracts, rela-
tive to their habits, ETC., which we take from an
article in the Overland Monthly for November,
1870;
." In a report on the Angora goat, made to the
New England Agricultural Society, the follow
ing, among other evidence, adduced "Col-
onel R. H. Scott, of Frankfort, Kentucky, who
had a flock of eighty head said: There is not
a sick one among them They are so fond of
weeds, bushes, and briars that they will eat
them chiefly, if accessible. They will seek shell
ter at night and during storms, without the care
of shepherd. The mutton is the highest luxu-
ry of the kind, There is no difference in the
pure-breds and grades after the fourth cross with
the common and pure-bred buck. They are
more profitable than the sheep, and the weight
of the fleece is from four to eight pounds. +"
Mr. John Walker, of Fayette, Missouri, said
They are very hardy and prolific the cost of
keeping them is less than that of any other ami
mall General E. A. Paine, of Galiatin, Tennes
see, said Il have been deeply interested in
making myself acquainted with the habits, in
crease, and value of these animals and am
thoroughly satisfied that the Angora wool is one
of the greatest staples of our country. 1t is to
common wool what silk is to cotton Charles
D. Brown, of New York, said They are ro-
bust and healthy, easily kept, and will thrive on
low bushes better than on green pastures
The Committee, in concluding their report,
Nh s
important facts, namely: That the breeding of
the wool-bearng shawl goats in most parts of
the United is practicable and certain business,
and may be made profitable branch of Agr-
cultural labor. Second, That the manufacture
of its fleece in this country promises, in the i'm
mediate future, to be more profitable than that
of any other textile. Third, That the introduce
tion of this goat into the United States is Of
great national Importance, economically and po-
litcally considered. Your Committee believe
that this new enterprise breeding goats and
manufacturing their hair-will not confict with
any other industry of our country, sheep hus-
bandry or cotton each having its special utility
to recommend it, AS the fabrics of Angora
wool are not only more beautiful but more dura-
bic than those made Of common wool, the price
of the former is not likely to ever be low
that Of the latter out even though it should,
the breeders Of Angora goats in this State main
tain that these animals would still be profta-
BILE as sheep. In proof of that assertion. the
following reasons are brought forward First,
The Angora goat on this coast is comparatively
free from disease. Once attacked with scab,
sheep cured only by immense sacrifices of
time and money Not only here, but during its
journey from its natural habitat, the Angora
goat notwithstanding all the vcissiudes of
! food, climate, and temperature to which it had
been subjected has neen healthy. Second,
They prolific than sheep. Pure-bred
Angora goats generally have only one at a birth;
but among the grades, twins and triplets are
very common. Like the sheep, the period of
CESSATION is five months /; but even pure-bred An
CORA goats usually bring forth young three times
every two years. Third They are better milk
ers. In Switzerland and other countries where
the common goat is kept in large numbers,
manufacturing cheese from goats milk is i'm
portant branch of industry. In the course of
some time, the goat breeders of California may
often find it remunerative to fatten their kids
and send them to market when quite young. In
such a case, the milk of the old goats could be
converted into cheese, which would find ready
market Fourth, They are longer lived, living
frequently twenty years. Fifth, They bet
ter walkers. In many parts of California are
sheep runs, large portions of which are destitute
of water No matter how excellent the grass
may be, if water is not within reach, it is
vailable. The goat not only go longer with
out water, but can travel longer distance to it
than the sheep therefore, various parts Of many
a run can be reached by the former, while they
are wholly inaccessible to the latter. During the
drouth that existed last Winter and Spring,
great many sheep driven from their usual
| feeding ground to distant pastures, where grass
was more abundant. The daily loss on the
journey especially toward its close was i'm
mense. If they reached their journeys end
few days earlier-as goats would, under the same
circumstances-thou of those that perished
could be saved Sixth, They thrive best on
land on which no other domestic animal can
live. Shrubs and bushes of all kinds form their
favorite food. Nothing comes amiss to them
Even plants that are poisonous to most animals,
are eaten with impunity by the Angora goat
In all parts of the State, large quantities of
bushes covered with succulent and nutritious
leaves, yet they are eaten by no animal but the
goat, by which they are deyoured with avidty
While there is supply of these plants, the Sc
verest drouth can scarcely hurt the goat in Cali
fornia. Last Winter, Mr.. Landrum had in Mon
terey county, flock Of sheep, and an equal
Angora goats. He lost $50 sheep, but as weeds
and bu8hes-the fayorte food of the goat-were
/ moi afncted hu the drnn1h nnlu siy ~ tLo.o ....