24 BUEEAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



must necessarily be considered a thoroughbred; whilst, on the other hand, there are 

 quite a number of really handsome and valuable thoroughbreds whose hair has not 

 that much-desired shape, owing entirely to clitnatic and nutrimental influences, as 

 well as to advancing age. Thoroughbreds and all nonshed<ling grades can easily be 

 recognized by the peculiar shape of "iioints" of their mohair, each end showing 

 plainly that it has been "cut off," instead of running gradually to what is called a 

 "steeple point," which is found with the hair of all kids and of shedding grade 

 Angoras. The plainer and longer this blunt point shows toward the end of the year 

 the better is the fiber of the mohair, and the more valuable is the hair for comb- 

 ing purposes and the smaller the percentage of noilage and waste. After shedding, 

 as well as nonshedders after shearing, the mohair grows very rapidly for some 

 months. It grows slower toward the end of the year, and, with very bad climatic 

 and nutrimental influences, almost stops growing entirely. Therefore, if the late fall 

 shearing is practiced, Angoras need good care during winter. The more even in 

 length and quality the mohair is on all parts of an Angora body the better. When 

 in full fleece the body of a fine thoroughbred Angora should appear like a right- 

 angled square, with no gaps or deficiencies of covering, especially below the belly. 



Mr. Hoerle is encountering some opposition to his ideas of the non- 

 shedding varieties. Because of this difference of opinion the Bureau 

 submitted the question, "Do thoroughbreds (fourth cross or above) 

 shed if not sheared? " to a large number of the breeders of the coun- 

 try. A summary of the replies received is given elsewhere (see p. 79). 



A characteristic of the common goat that is very objectionable is 

 the ever-present offensive odor from the bucks; in the Angora breed 

 this odor is entirely absent, except at the rutting season, and then it 

 is noted in a slight degree only. The odor in a fleece of mohair is 

 milder than that in a wool fleece, and is not at all offensive. 



NAMES OF THE BREED, THE SEXES, AND THE MEAT. 



NAME OF THE BREED. 



There was no difficulty in dropping the name "Cashmere" as soon 

 as it was known that the Angora goats did not belong to that breed, but 

 there are a few uninformed persons who still refer to them as Cash- 

 meres. Owing to the prejudice existing against "the goat," it has 

 been suggested and strongly urged by some that the easiest and quick- 

 est manner of ingratiating the Angora goat with the people is to drop 

 the word "goat" altogether and call them simply "Angoras." In 

 other words, it is proposed to pretend that this animal does not belong 

 to the goat family. It would still be a goat notwithstanding, and 

 students of science would forever be pointing out the pretense. 

 Besides, the use of the name "Angora" alone would almost certainly 

 lead to the commission of errors. Everything of American origin is 

 referred to as being "American," and the various animals from the 

 vilayet of Angora could with equal propriety be called "Angoras." 

 For instance, the long-haired cat from that province is quite well 

 known in this country and is called an "Angora." 



