THE ANGORA AND MILKING GOATS 353 



bucks for a few generations wonders are worked in 

 Angora grade fleeces. 



This brings us (without mention of further in- 

 teresting importations) down to the date of the re- 

 cent exploitation of the Angora. Proved in 1897 

 to be unrivalled brush exterminators in Iowa, their 

 fame spread, and Angoras have been sent in carload 

 lots to most of the states and territories. When they 

 have been good goats and given good care they have 

 proved profitable. When they have been common 

 goats, the result of indifferent grade sires on com- 

 mon smooth Mexican goats, they have still proved 

 excellent brush exterminators, but have struck their 

 owners with dismay when they had them sheared 

 and tried to sell the fleeces. 



Within very recent years, however, since the es- 

 tablishment of a record and flock book for the An- 

 goras ; with classes at fairs and new importations 

 from Asia and Africa, there is a very great im- 

 provement coming over the Angora industry and 

 it may be that some day good mohair will be abun- 

 dant on the American market. When that time 

 comes, curiously enough, it will be in greater de- 

 mand than it is, now that it is rather scarce. Mo- 

 hair is used in making plush for dress fabrics and 

 yarns. It is the most durable of all fabrics, prac- 

 tically indestructible by wear. Most of the uphol- 

 stery of railway cars in the United States is said to 

 be made from mohair. 



What then could a breeder hope to reach in An- 

 gora goat breeding! By the use of right sires, for 



