BY JAMES ANDEEW. 37 



attractions for them." Mr. Swan further remarks : — " They 

 have great attachment for home and can be depended upon 

 to return to their sheds at night. Shelter should be 

 provided for them, as they evince great aversion to rain and 

 will remain under cover all day in wet weather." 



There is no reason whatever why, if the goats kept here or 

 in other colonies become very numerous, the area of 

 pasturage available for sheep need be encroached upon. 

 Indeed, the reverse would be found to be the case, as Angoras 

 have been proved to be excellent pioneers in clearing up new 

 •country for sheep and cattle, and they not only do not injure 

 but positively benefit other stock, especially sheep. An 

 immense amount of land now almost, if not quite, valueless 

 could be utilsed for goat farming, for these ^nimals will live 

 and thrive where others would starve, and mountainous, 

 scrubby, and wooded country, barren ranges, and heathy 

 plains are alike suitable for their requirements ; and by their 

 activity, superior intelligence and fearlessness, they obtain 

 sustenance where sheep would be incapable of venturing. 

 They are also, with the exception of a short period 

 immediately after shearing, as indifEerant to climatic as they 

 are to dietetic influences. In further reference to the latter 

 there is one very important point to notice ; they appear to 

 suffer no inconvenience from being depastured on country 

 where plants abound which, when eaten by sheep, prove fatal. 

 In South Africa I know this is the case and Sir Samuel 

 Wilson bears similar testimony, stating : — " Its freedom from 

 disease, its activity, and endurance, and ability to feed on 

 shrubs, bushes, weeds, and even poisonous plants with 

 impunity give it a special value as the animal suited to 

 the selector or the small freeholder with limited means." 



It has been conclusively proved that the climate, as well as 

 the pasturage and herbage of Australia and Tasmania, are 

 peculiarly suitable for goat farming. No large oatlay is 

 required to form the nucleus of a flock, nor is any special 

 knowledge requisite for their management ; there are vast 

 areas of vacant land awaiting settlement, and the inquiry 

 naturally suggests itself how it is that the industry has 

 failed to command the attention here or on the continent of 

 Australia, which it has received elsewhere. 



If some one of enterprising spirit will embark a few 

 hundred pounds in such a venture the investment will, I am 

 -confident, prove remunerative. Islands are peculiarly 

 adapted for the purpose, as secure boundary fences are 

 naturally provided, and subdivision can often be arranged 

 with the minimum of material. 



There is one which I can recommend for tentative occupation, 

 viz., the West Hunter Island to the north-west of Tasmania, 

 in Bass Straits. It has an area of 20,000 acres, most of 



