GOATS 391 



480. Origin. The Angora goat derives its name from 

 the vilayet of Angora, in Asia Minor. The city of Angora 

 is the capital of the vilayet of Angora, and is located 

 about two hundred miles south-by-southeast from Con- 

 stantinople. The province is mountainous to a consider- 

 able extent and furrowed by deep valleys. The climate 

 is extreme. Some writers have ventured to say that the 

 Angora goat originated in this district over 2400 years ago. 



It is said that the pure Angora goat was nearly bred 

 out in 1863. The reason for this was the extensive cross- 

 ing with the common Kurd goat. 



481. History in America. The first importation of 

 Angora goats to America was made in 1849. During the 

 administration of President Polk, says Colonel Richard 

 Peters, the Sultan of Turkey requested that a suitable 

 person be sent to that country to conduct some experi- 

 ments in the culture of cotton. James B. Davis, of South 

 Carolina, was delegated. On his return to the United 

 States in 1849, the Sultan presented to him nine choice 

 Angoras. These animals were imported as Cashmeres, 

 and were so regarded until after they were purchased by 

 Colonel Richard Peters in 1853. This importation was 

 frequently exhibited at fairs, and always attracted much 

 attention. Colonel Peters is generally regarded as the 

 real founder of the Angora goat industry in America. 



There have been, from time to time, various other im- 

 portations of Angoras from Turkey and South Africa. 

 These are widely disseminated, and the blood of most of 

 them has been beneficial to the industry in this country. 

 The Civil war was disastrous in its effects on the industry, 

 and the Angora goats in the southern and eastern sections 

 of the country were practically exterminated. The 

 western men who adopted the industry, and finally saved 



