16 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



This soft undercoat of the Cashmere is known as "pashum," and is 

 the product from which the famous Cashmere shawl was made, Mr. 

 William M. Landrum, who was probably the first in this country to 

 discover that our so-called Cashmere goat was the Angora instead, 

 through investigations made about 1861, also states that there is a 

 difference between the Cashmere shawl and the Paisley shawl. These 

 are often referred to as being the same shawl. While the filling of 

 both shawls was of pashum, the chain of the latter was made from the 

 kid fieece of the Angora. Pashum is combed out in the spring, and 

 is worth, when cleaned, in the country where it is produced, from 

 $1.50 to $2 per pound. A writer in the Penny Magazine (London) in 

 1838 says: 



The wool is first combed from the animal in the mountains of Tibet, where it is 

 sold for nearly 5 shillings a pound. It is packed in baskets and sent to Cashmere, 

 where it pays a duty on entry. It is there bleached with rice flour, spun into 

 threads, and taken to the bazaar, where another tax is paid upon it. The thread is 

 then dyed, the shawl is woven, and the border sewed on. 



So much for the Cashmere goat. 



The first (or Davis) importation of Angoras was frequently exhibited 

 at fairs, and always attracted much attention. The reports made by 

 the officials of fair associations were always favorable, sometimes flat- 

 tering, and as is known, after ^^^ears of experience, not always correct. 

 The United States Agricultural Society, which held an exhibition in 

 Philadelphia in 1856, awarded to Col. Richard Peters, who was then 

 the owner of the Davis goats, $100 as a special reward. The following 

 report was made upon the animals: 



They have become known as Cashmere goats from the pure white color and fine- 

 ness of their fleeces, and their undoubted Eastern origin. The fleeces from the bucks 

 weigh from 6 to 7 pounds, those from the ewes from 3 to 4 pounds. The flesh of the 

 crosses is superior to most mutton, tender and delicious, making them a desirable 

 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 can 

 not be sustamed to advantage, while their ability and disposition to defend them- 

 selves against dogs evidence a value peculiar to this race. They are free from all dis- 

 eases 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 tlie 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. 



The following extract is from a report of the special committee 

 appointed by the American Institute at its exhibition in New York 

 City in 1855: 



They have examined with much interest the fleece submitted to them, and as well 

 from their own observations as from the results of a microscopic examination made 



