DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



STARTING A FLOCK OF ANGORAS. 



At the present time intending buyers may find it necessary to go to the Western 

 States to buy Angoras. They can be bought there at from $6 to $10 per head, the 

 price varying according to the breeding. Good bucks cost from $25 up to $100. 

 Much larger prices are paid for specially good individuals. 



The best way for a beginner is to invest in a few good animals, and gain experi- 

 ence in raising them as the flock increases. 



LETTERS FROM GOAT-BREEDERS. 



The names of the writers of the letters published have been withheld in order 

 to prevent the annoyance of too many inquiries. 



Interested persons may obtain a list of breeders of Angoras and milch goats ou 

 application to the Live Stock Branch, Victoria, B.C. 



SABDIS, B.C. 



In answer to yours, I would say the Angora goat with me has been a failure, due, I 

 think, to some local cause that gave the kids enlarged glands, and they came so weak 

 that I could not get them to nurse. Three years ago I raised six kids. Last year I 

 had twenty kids and did not raise any. They were so weak they could not stand up 

 or nurse. 



Lost all the kids this year also. They bred well if I could only raise the young. 



The goats are splendid for keeping down the second growth in a slashing, for killing 

 Scotch-cap, etc. 



There appears to be a prejudice against goat-flesh as meat in this vicinity, 

 myself, I like it. A goat will dress out about half what a sheep will. Quite a number 

 have eaten goat-meat at my table and have taken it for lamb. The meat requires more 

 cooking, also special care in cooking, or it will be dry and tough. 



AGASSE, B.C. 

 RE AXGORA GOATS AXD THEIB ABILITY TO ERADICATE BRUSH. 



I have pleasure in informing you that I have been using a flock of thirty Angora 

 goats for the last two years, and am convinced that they have solved the problem of 

 preventing the growth of brush, and thereby accelerating the rotting of hardwood stumps 

 after the forest has been cut down, as they prefer leaves and sprouts of trees to grass 

 for food. Previously I used sheep for this purpose, but they prefer grass to leaves, and 

 I found I had to spray the leaves of vine-maple, alder, and other varieties with brine 

 in order to induce them to do good work. Of course, from a mutton point of view, the 

 sheep are the most profitable. I obtained my goats directly from Oregon, which I 

 believe is the best place to obtain them, the price being about $6 each. I believe mine 

 are pure-bred, but have not taken the trouble to look up pedigrees. My goats have been 

 working on the Fraser alluvial lands, being out in all kinds of weather. There has been 

 no trouble with them except from dogs. They are easily fenced in as long as there are 

 no holes for them to crawl through. A legal fence is quite sufficient to restrain them. 



The principal drawback to goats seems to be the difficulty in rearing the young 

 during the first few weeks. They are frequently unable to stand when born, and very 

 weak and unable to find their mother's milk for some days. If you are getting out a 

 pamphlet, I would advise that you look carefully into this matter of rearing the young. 

 and get pointers from the breeders across the line. I think the nannies should be fed 

 upon grain some time before having their kids. I have been told that farmers in South 

 Africa give them buttermilk to drink for a short time before dropping their kids. 



I think their general use in this Province will depend in a great measure in over- 

 coming the difficulty I have mentioned. With this exception, I find them quite hardy, 

 although I believe they are native of warm, dry climate. 



With regard to the rearing of the young kids, a letter addressed to a well- 

 known Angora breeder of Oregon elicited the following reply : 



In reply to your favour, we will say that there are two extremes to be avoided in 

 the rearing of kids namely, extreme poverty, but more often too much feed, causing the 

 does to take too little exercise. This is the main cause of the swollen glands or goitre. 

 We have trouble with it here in the Willamette Valley, especially after the grass becomes 

 flush in April, the does requiring little exercise to get what feed they want. 



Goitre can be cured by rubbing in H.H.H. Horse Liniment on the swollen gland on 

 the kids that are able to suckle, but the weaker ones are almost impossible to save. 



