THE AN^GORA GOAT. 



51 



cases does the amount approach that oiveii l)y the established breeds 

 of milch goats, such as the Toggenburg\ Malta, and Nubian breeds. 

 Some of the records of the earlier importations of Angoras into the 

 United States show that some of them were milked with success. At 

 this time, however, thej^ are not recommended as milch goats; they 

 are more useful in other lines. It is stated upon the authority of some 

 of the oldest breeders in the countr}^ that the likelihood of finding a 

 good milch goat among the Angoras diminishes as the grade of the 

 goat is raised. The milking qualities e^ddently come from the side of 

 the short-haired goats. 



The quality of Angora milk is said to be equal to that of any other 

 breed, and more nearly equal to human milk than that of any other 

 animal. For this reason it is considered the best substitute for mothers' 

 milk for infants. An analysis of goats' milk for the British Goat 

 Societ3% with an analysis of cows' milk for comparison, is shown in 

 the table below. It should be stated that the cows' milk was from a 

 cow which was a winner at a dairy show. 



Comparison of analyses of goats' milk and cows^ milk. 



Element. 



Water 



Butter fat . . 



Casein 



Milk sugar . 

 Ash 



Goats' 

 milk. 



Total. 



Cows' milk. 



The milk has an additional value in that the animal is practically 

 immune to tuberculosis. Less than a dozen cases of tuberculosis in 

 goats are recorded. 



THE SKINS. 



The use of Angora skins, other than for robes, rugs, and trinmiings 

 as described below, is not verv extensive. The skin is of a more delicate 

 constitution than that of the common goat, and so does not make such 

 tough leather. While the skin may be taken as an item of salvage 

 from an animal that has died or been killed for meat, it would not be 

 profitable to raise them for leather alone. If such skins happen to 

 have a good fleece upon them, they will be worth more for robes or 

 rugs, but even then they would not be profitable alone. There must 

 be other sources of profit in addition to the skins. Angora skins are 

 manufactured into morocco for use in binding books, and excellent 

 gloves are made from them which bring from §1 to §1.50 per pair. 



An impression is widespread, based upon immature consideration, 

 that Angora skins may soon supplant the great number of goatskins 



