354 



A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



known as mohair. In fair specimens this covers the body 

 in silky, wavy ringlets, which in a year should become about 

 10 inches long. The fleece ought to show a curl quite to the skin. 

 An average weight is about 3 pounds. The better grade of 

 goats produces a mohair that is highly valued for making 

 certain kinds of dress goods, plushes for upholstering work, 

 etc. Angoras have been regarded with favor by some for 

 clearing land of underbrush. They eat the tender twigs 



and bark, and 

 thus gradually 

 kill the bushes. 

 Goats have been 

 used for this pur- 

 pose in northern 

 Wisconsin, 

 Michigan, Mis- 

 souri, and else- 

 where. 



The milk goat 

 is common all 

 over the world, 

 especially in the 

 warmer climates. 

 It has been much improved, especially in Switzerland, 

 Germany and southern Europe. There are many breeds, 

 of which the Toggenburg, Saanen, Nubian and Maltese 

 are noted as the greatest producers. The milk of the 

 goat contains slightly more than 5 per cent fat, and about 

 15 per cent solids. It is digested very easily, and is free 

 from tuberculosis germs, as the goat does not suffer from 

 this disease. Goats thrive with very ordinary care, and 

 should be kept more extensively the United States. 



The Toggenburg goat has its native home in the Toggen- 

 burg valley in Switzerland. It is a medium brown in color, 

 with a white band along down each side of the face from 



Figure 154. Toggenburg doe El Chivar's Natalie, on 

 milking stand. This doe has a record of 2,090 pounds 

 of milk. Photograph from the owner, Winthrop 

 Howland of California. 



