290 THE CHIEF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL CROPS 



they are no more troublesome than in more north- 

 erly latitudes. In the tropics sheep soon lose a 

 part of their woolly coating and hence are only val- 

 uable for mutton. They thrive there fairly well, how- 

 ever, and as they can be raised with a minimum of 

 care and expense, they deserve more attention for this 

 purpose than is generally given them. 



Goats are very hardy, prolific animals, that are 

 particularly well adapted to all warm climates. In 

 southern Europe they play an important part in the 

 agricultural econoni}^, but here they are usually looked 

 upon more as a nuisance than a source of profit. They 

 will, however, live and thrive where the pasturage is 

 too poor to support any of the other domestic animals. 

 The flesh, especially of the young animals, is very good 

 food, notwithstanding the American prejudice to the 

 contrary, and the skins furnish a valuable article of 

 commerce. The number and aggregate value of the 

 goatskins annually imported into the United States 

 are so great as to be almost unbelievable. The best 

 milk strains produce a very large quantity of milk 

 and butter fat when compared with the quantity and 

 value of the food consumed. It seems probable, 

 therefore, that in the future these animals will occupy 

 a much more important place in Southern agriculture 

 than they do at present. 



Poultry and eggs are universally raised in the 

 South and in the tropics for home consumption, and 

 their sale in the local markets adds materially to the in- 

 come of many households. Their attempted commer- 

 cial production on a large scale has often resulted in 

 failure, since to be successful it requires a large 



