396 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



of goat-raising. Angoras are able to withstand both ex- 

 treme heat and extreme cold if proper shelter and feed be 

 provided. They require a large amount of fresh air and 

 exercise. 



486. Feeding. The browsing habit of goats is an im- 

 portant factor in their feeding. In some sections, they 

 secure browse all through the winter season, as in the 

 Southwest, where there is an abundance of live-oak. 

 Corn fodder, cowpea hay, clover hay and alfalfa are all 

 excellent coarse feeds. Oats, corn and bran are valuable 

 winter rations. Goats require more salt than do sheep, 

 owing to the more astringent character of their feed. A 

 running stream in a pasture is valuable, but if it is not 

 present, good, fresh water should be supplied. 



487. Marking. Several devices for marking goats are 

 in use, but the metal tag in the ear is probably best known. 

 A practice which appears to give satisfaction is to tattoo 

 the numbers into the ear, using indelible ink. It is found 

 that the metal is sometimes pulled out by brush. 



488. Shearing. In Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and 

 sometimes in California, shearing is done twice a year, 

 usually in the months of March and April, and in Septem- 

 ber or October. The reason for this practice is that, owing 

 to the warm climate, the fleece will often shed in the fall 

 if not clipped. In other parts of the country, shearing is 

 done but once a year, and that in the months of March, 

 April and May. The shearing machines largely employed 

 among sheep-raisers are coming into general use among 

 goat-breeders. 



Goats are not so gentle in the hands of the shearer as 

 sheep, and many men, especially among beginners in the 

 industry, desire to know how best to handle them during 

 the operation of shearing. For this purpose, a simple 



