The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-06-11
Millions of Dollars Spent for
Skins
PROFITS LARGE AND QUICK
apcrica l. Awakening to a RealiZa-
non OF the Splendid Opportunities
living Dormant in This Hitherto
TndcyelOped Field for Wealth.

hundreds of inquiries regarding the
U1.slbIiities in the United States of a
,l.tt goat industry are nov reaching
the department of commerce and
l5syr. These inquiries are the result
II recent statement by the bureau
of statistics Of hat department, that
Sz5G.000. 000 had been sent out Of the
country in the last decade to pur-
chase goat skins for use in this coun-
TN. and hat the commercial value of
the 800, 900, 600 goats which these
skins represented would, had they
teen grown in the United States, have
approXimated a billion dollars. These
suggestions coupled with the further
fact that goats Of the class supply
Ing the skins in question could be
grown upon semi-arid and semi
mountainous lands in the United
States now practically unutilized, have
added to the interest indicated by the
inquiries now being made.
The statement of the bureau of
statistics as to the number and value
Of goat skins now being imported
vas coupled with extracts from a
statement by United States Consul
Canada. at Vera Cruz, Mexico, origin
ally published by the-bureau of man
A11''b4No VI 1iiC UCpdl IIICAl VI COI1-
merce and labor. In this report Con-
sui Canada says: Goats are raised
IL every state of the republic of
Mexico, The industry is
largely confined to the central table
lands though the animals
thrive everywhere and can b. raised
AZ 4 good profit owe a wider range
Of territory thar that on which cattle
may be successfully raised. =
Thu dry n1oipc If NT,,O1ro x~.%L
scant growth Of brush, are able to
support large fiocks of goats, though
these same plains will not produce
corn, cane or grass. unless water is
SUPPLIED for irrigation. = The
extent of territory which could be
given TO the raising Of goats. with
out ~ any way interfering with agri-
culture, is very large. Vera Cruz has
tens Of thousands Of acres of land
So steep and rugged that it cannot
De farmed prOfitably. but these rug
Fed m~ountain sides furnish ideal feed
lhE grounds for goats. The
Waite of the goat depends upon three
thin2S, meat, tallow and the skin.
Supply Fresh Meat.
The matter Of fresh meat in the
farming districts Of the hot country
IS greatly simplified by the breeding
S'hto' LII SIlldlI, lSOldleO COM
munlties it is risky to slaughter an
* or COW. as the flesh is liable to
spoIi before it is consumed. The
olhdIl carcass of d goat makes it en-
Lreiy practicable to kill FREQUENTLY
without risk or loss. In the state OF
iobaSco the inhabitants are never a.
e Toss for fresh meat on plantations
"HfFe goa are raised. n where
formerly meat was almost unknown
u fo-L- .~- l.
Il q profitable industry, for the car.
SaSs Of an animal will bring from
EtUV TO $3.50. Fats of all kinds are
"iRh priced in all parts of the coun'
HE At two years a ia
Hoat viii yield six TO ten pounds O.
GEAR tallow. which will be worth from
'o cents to $3.50. TIL
"l2st u part Of the goat is tn
SKIN, worth SIPS to $3.50. and tn,
Instant trend Of prices is upward.
ih"5e ngures of values are preSuma
piS IN Mexican currency. in which tn
9ott''f is equivalent to bout one-hal
"oitaT IN United States currency.
Increase Rapidly.
me consul adds that the increaS
n the number of goats is very rapid
slhce they begin breeding at from 81
- eight months Of age. and bree'
twice a year, bringing forth two an,
NV hloS "l OoS
D'eeaIng season. A single shepher
~ IS said will look after at least /,
Wv goats. He adds: "A careful in
seSlnent of $1,000 we'll looked afte
5ah certainly be counted upon t
uouole itself inside of two and one
nah years, and to give at least
NY per cent profit per annum fror
rs end OF the second year" TIL
report of Consul Canada closes b
'lcStntlng the result of a three year
~rApertnent in goat raising on a farI
- 'he state of Guerrero, Mexico, a
IN 1904 the manager of the farl
'-lelNeo $4,000 goats, including lare
Is small. at a valuation of SIS
sich' equal to $4,000. From tn
pIoouce of these he sold. durin.> mir
months Of 1904 and the years 100
ma 1906. $4,000 head at IS eacl