THE ANGORA GOAT. 55 



mercial Company at Kadiak, says: "On Ukamak Island we have a 

 flock of Angora goats, which hav^e increased (30 per cent a year since 

 they were phiced there. The}^ have given very good results in mohair, 

 which is of good quality and flne texture." There are a few small 

 flocks in New England and in nearly every State west until the Pacific 

 Ocean is reached. The Western States have many thousands. Mr. 

 William M. Landrum is quoted as follows: 



White goats can stand any amount of cold and snow, but sleet and wind are very 

 injurious. On the other hand, they can endure the scorching heat of the Tropics. 

 Their fleece is best at an altitude of from 3,000 to 6,000 feet above the sea level. The 

 fleece never sheds on the Guadalupe Island, 210 miles from San Diego, at an altitude 

 of only from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. I have grown mohair there 2 feet long, of lovely 

 texture. We had 80,000 wild goats roaming on the island without any attention, 

 except in slaughtering season, when we sheared the Angoras and slaughtered from 

 14,000 to 15,000 common goats for their hides and tallow. The goats all ran wild 

 and took care of themselves. We were not at one dollar expense on them. 



In considering Angora culture it is of more importance to study the 

 climate with reference to moisture rather than temperature. It should 

 be remembered that the original home of the goat is high up in the 

 mountains, where the air is not laden with moisture. Under like con- 

 ditions it thrives best here. Lowlands that are wet or marshy are not 

 at all suitable. The effect of such situations soon makes itself appar- 

 ent in a flock of goats. Foot rot is apt to give endless trouble, and 

 the feet will need much attention in other respects. Therefore low- 

 lands with much moisture and high temperature are not recommended 

 for goat culture. It is a historical fact that the first effort to trans- 

 plant the Angora goat outside of Asia was a failure on account of 

 these conditions. This was in 1554, when a few individuals were taken 

 to Holland, but they soon died, owing to the moist climate. 



The effect of climate has a great deal to do with the character of 

 mohair. On this point Mr. John S. Harris, of Oakley, Idaho, who is 

 a gentleman of much experience, is quoted: 



Mohair grown here in Idaho is very bright when scoured, and, owing to the elec- 

 tric currents which exist in the air, the hair possesses elasticity, a property requisite 

 to mohair. Goats do not grow a long staple here, but owing to the cold it is very 

 dense. Neither do they grow so heavy a fleece as in a milder climate, owing to the 

 dryness of the air. Plenty of green, natural herbage the year round would produce 

 a heavier fleece and ultimately deteriorate its quality. 



A high altitude is a locality always preferable in goat culture. This 

 is especially true with Angoras, as the climate in high altitudes seems 

 to have a beneficial effect upon the mohair. 



Colonel Black, whose experience covers a period of thirty years. 

 says that the Angora goat will thrive in any part of our country, and 

 the yield of mohair will be greatest in the colder States. He estimates 

 that the yield can l)e increased fully 1 pound by removing the goats 

 from Texas to any of the Northern States. 



