The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-07-07
Slate Nay Have Strong Case :
Against the Alleged LynoherS


=.
aovERNMENF STUDIES GOAT -
Oh lxAT1oNAIr FORESTS.
Washington, July 6.-In connection
With the effort to introduce the bert
Of handling an classes Of live
stock on the National Forests, . study
of the goat industry has been inaugu-
'ated by officials in charge who say that
in parts of the Southwest large numbers
Of Angora goats are raised for their
hair. In 1915 over fifty thousand Of.
the animals were grazed on National
Forests in six States.
The goats raised in the West feed
mostly on shrushy underground, which
they are said TO like even better than
the succulent grass found in the same.
region. On this account, the Forest
Service officials say that in many places
the goats are really desirable, as they
thin out the dense underground and
allow grass to get started. In q num-
Der of instances, it is stated, new eat
tie range will thus be provided.
Many people think that the forest
ers have been opposed to letting goats
range on the National Forests, but Of
fcals say that this is not true. In some
places, particularly in hardwood regions
goats damage young forest growth. In
many Of the eoniferieus forests Of, the
West, however, this damage is slight If
the range is not overstocked and the
animals are properly handled. Often,
it is stated, they are Of real benefit In
keeping down infammable brush and
thus aiding in protecting forests from
fire.
The goats are grazed in bands Of 800
to $500, though the smaller herds are
more common. Sheds are necessary dur
ing the kidding season, since the new
ly born kids are almost as helpless a.
babies and must be protected from the
cold and wet. After they get 70 be sir
or eight weeks old it Is hard TO kill them
with a club, as one .ranger put Il.
When the kids are small they are not
allowed to run with their mothers.
Sometimes they areI kept in corral
just high enough 70 irevent them Jump
ing out, but, 6w wssen 1en ign % show I'M
nannies to jump in. Often each kid il
tied out to a stake and the mothe7
comes in during the day so that the kit
can have its dinner.
When grown goats have considerably
more agility and courage than sheep and
fight off coyotes and other predatory
animals.
Most of the goats are raised for theil
hair which brings from 20 to SO cent
pound, according as fashion dictate'
that mohair and alpaca is or is not t.
be worn The average cut Of hair i
said to be about 21a pounds per ami
NAL.
Unlike sheep, which can go long PEI
iods without water, the goats must hav
water frequently and their range has t
be planned with this in mind. TIL
herding, 1t is said, has been consldere
lazy man IS job. In the past the ami
mails have been given little attentio
and some owners still follow the oil
plan.
Under new methods which are b6in
tried, the herders must take moro car
with their f1ocks. The goats are nc
\ 81
in succession at any camp, and al
handled in such way that all the rang
lis used, but not over-grazed. Oficia
who are watching the experiments %
THAT the approved methods will doub
less enable the owners to derive grea
er profits from their herds and make
possible to better conditions of Il
range.