352 SHEEP FARMING IN AMERICA 



tion was made of their virtues, among other things 

 that they sheared from four to eight pounds, which 

 sold for from $6.00 to $8.00 per pound in Scotland. 

 This, unfortunately, was an exaggeration of about 

 $7.25 per pound, but the goats meekly bore the ob- 

 loquy as in the Israelitish days of old, meantime 

 going merrily about their true mission, to subdue 

 and replenish the earth! 



When Dr. Davis had finished with his goats they 

 were sold, and among the purchasers was Col. Rich- 

 ard Peters of Georgia. This man proved to be an 

 Angora enthusiast and in turn sent specimens to 

 Texas, California and other places. 



It is significant that the Angora never became 

 prominent anywhere except in Texas, California and 

 Oregon until within comparatively recent years. 

 There were several reasons for that. The warm, 

 dry climates of the two states were peculiarly suited 

 to the animals and land was cheap there and range 

 limitless. Then there were found in Texas herds 

 of common Mexican goats on which the Angoras 

 could be crossed. This crossing was done on an 

 extensive scale and in a short time there sprung 

 into existence great flocks of grade Angora goats, 

 larger and stronger than the pure-bred animals, 

 but possessing a small amount of inferior hair. 

 Further crossing greatly improved the hair, how- 

 ever, and it is not meant to suggest that this debas- 

 ing blood has brought ruin or irretrievable loss. In 

 truth, the added size and strength of the grades 

 have been a help, and by the careful selection of 



