GOATS. 351 



There are some breeders who have crossed pure bred animals upon the common goats of 

 the country, and have in some instances sold grade animals as though they possessed all the 

 excellence of the pure bred goat, and the purchasers breeding them to the common goat as 

 such, have experienced the failure that would naturally result, and, becoming disgusted with 

 the business, have let the breeds run entirely out. In the hands of intelligent and honest 

 breeders, with suitable surroundings, including wide range and a high and dry habitat, there 

 is no reason why goat husbandry in this country may not prove eminently successful and 

 profitable. 



Goats Used to Protect Sheep. Farmers in some sections of the country use 

 goats to protect the sheep from dogs. For a flock of from fifty to seventy-five sheep, two 

 goats is the usual number for this purpose, and they are said to be amply able to protect 

 them from such intruders, their butting propensities being too much for the canine, who soon 

 finds himself rolling over and over. A few repetitions of such treatment causes the dog to 

 leave the field in a limping condition, somewhat downcast in appearance. AVhen the sheep 

 have no such protection, and a dog enters the field at night, the sheep will run wildly about, 

 bleating piteously, but when goats are used to guard them, they form in a compact body, 

 behind the goats, and seem to be fearless, and to rather enjoy the fun. This practice of util 

 izing goats originated in the West, where they were put in sheep pens to protect from 

 wolves. 



Products of the Angora (xOat. The most important product of the Angora goat 

 is the mohair, which its fleece supplies. It is not a mere substitute for wool, but occupies its 

 own place among the textile materials. It preserves the lustre and appearance of silk, with 

 out its suppleness, and differs from wool in its lack of felting qualities, the fabrics made from 

 it having always distinct and separate fibres, being distinguished particularly for their lustre, 

 durability, and elasticity. It is particularly adapted to the manufacture of Utrecht velvets, 

 commonly termed &quot;furniture plush,&quot; the finest qualities of which materials are composed 

 principally of mohair. This plush is very durable, owing to its elasticity, the fibre springing 

 back immediately to its upright position when a pressure against it is removed. The mohair 

 plush is therefore in general use in the construction of railroad cars, being the most inde 

 structible of all materials for upholstering the seats. It is also used in a similar manner in 

 manufacturing the imitation of seal skins, the highest qualities of which are often very strik 

 ing in their resemblance to real seal fur. 



Mohair is also used for making the best carriage and lap robes, having a long and lus 

 trous pile, some imitations of the skins of tigers and leopards being very beautiful. It is 

 indispensable in the manufacture of braids for binding, possessing the lustre of silk with a 

 superior durability. 



Still another important use of this material is in furnishing fine and beautiful fabrics 

 for dress goods, which resemble alpaca, and are called mohair lustres or brilliantines. In 

 France it is used in the manufacture of laces, which are substituted for the silk laces of 

 Valenciennes and Chantilly. The English have attained the greatest success in spinning 

 mohair, the French and German manufacturers depending almost exclusively upon English 

 yarns of this material, with the exception of that spun at Bonbaix in France. Owing to the 

 stiffness of the mohair, it is rarely woven alone; hence, when used for filling, the warp is 

 usually of cotton, silk, or wool; or if used for warp, the filling is usually one of these mate 

 rials. The flesh of the Angora goat is highly nutritious, as well as very healthful and easy 

 of digestion; and if well fattened with corn, is thought by many to be superior to the best 

 Southdown mutton. The milk is also very nutritious and is often prescribed by physicians 

 for invalids and infants. The skins of the young kids are valuable, when taken off after 

 the hair is of proper length, and bring a high price in the market, as well as those of the 



