262 AGRICULTURE 



Scab. Scab is a contagious disease caused by a parasite which 

 gets under the skin. It causes the wool to fall and not only ruins 

 the fleece but often weakens and kills the sheep. The parasite 

 is killed by dipping the sheep in a wash containing sulphur, to- 

 bacco, or lime and sulphur. Sheep should be dipped at least once 

 a year to keep their skins clean and healthy. 



EXERCISE 



1. Do the farmers in your locality raise sheep? Do you think it 

 would be a profitable business? Give reasons for your opinion. 



2. Why do sheep especially need protection against wet weather? 



3. At what season are they sheared and why ? 



GOATS 



Goat Raising. Goat raising is a new and growing branch of 

 stock raising in the United States. There are now about two 

 million goats in the country. Every year about twenty million goat 

 skins worth about twenty-five million dollars are imported 

 into the United States from India, China, Russia, and other coun- 

 tries. The leather is used for making gloves, shoes, and other 

 articles. 



Breeds. The Malta goats are especially prized for their milk; 

 it is richer, more nourishing, and more wholesome than cow's milk. 

 From goat's milk some of our best cheese is made. 



The goat most favored by American farmers is the Angora. Its 

 native place is the province of Angora in Turkey. Some peculiar 

 property of the atmosphere there makes the coats of animals, such 

 as cats, dogs, and goats, especially beautiful, long, soft, and silky. 

 The fleece of the Angora goat, called mohair, is used in the manu- 

 facture of fine fabrics. 



