LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY 103 



What Kind of Goats? 



Around here, hair goats are said to pay better than the better 

 grades of Angoras; are said to raise more kids; are larger for mutton; 

 and are also hardier. Is hair goat a local name for a mixed Angora 

 and a common goat? The hair goat does not pay to shear, but is 

 somewhat heavier than the Angora, say 35 to 50 cents per head heavier. 

 Now, if this is so, and as in a former article in the Press you said the 

 Angoras only averaged 55 cents per head for mohair, it would seem 

 to me that the lower grade of Angora or hair goat would be better 

 to raise, as a man would not have to shear. Being hardier also, this 

 ought to run the difference up to 75 cents per head. Also, what about 

 the future of the goat-mutton market? 



We take it a "hair goat" is just a goat, whether he has a little Angora 

 blood or not, for to get high-priced mohair a goat must be very near pure- 

 bred Angora. The common goat is much hardier than the Angora, which 

 must have intelligent handling and some protection during the rainy season. 

 If this is to be given, well-bred Angoras would be a more profitable 

 venture than the hair goats as they do not cost very much more in the 

 first place ; the annual clip of mohair is in their favor ; when killed, 

 their skins are worth $1.75 to $2.50 for making chaps, whereas the hair 

 goats' skins are of considerably less value. As to the future of the 

 butcher demand for goats, the present outlook is that mutton will 

 command good prices. The butcher does not desire the older goats, 

 so you would have to turn off your young goats. 



Angora Goats. 



Will Angora goats do well pasturing on logged-off land, where 

 there is a second growth of fir, spruce, etc., undergrowth of brush, 

 also weeds, and some good growth of grass? What is the average price 

 of the hair, and pounds per head? 



Angora goats are often used for clearing land and would do well 

 under conditions described. The price of mohair in 1908 ranged from 

 22c to 25c per pound, while in 1913 it averaged 34c per pound. The 

 average weight of the fleece of American Angoras is about two and a 

 half pounds, according to Farmers' Bulletin 573, "The Angora Goat." 

 This publication can be obtained from the Secretary of Agriculture, 

 Washington, D. C. It gives excellent brief discussions of Angoras 

 and of questions relating to the management of the flock. 



Points on Milch Goats. 



What is the milking period of a milch goat? What is the average 

 quantity daily? Is there a market for their milk and what price obtainable? 

 What price must one pay per head for milch goats? 



The period of lactation with milch goats, as with cows, depends 

 upon individuality, breed, feed and general care. It is a fair to good 

 goat that will average two quarts a day for seven or eight months 



