1 Szpr., 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 311 
sand extent of character, together with density, and a bright and lustrous silky 
fleece, free from kemp, a long straight hair permeating the fleece, are the 
-characteristics constituting a standard of excellence equally as high as many of 
our ablest men have spent lifetimes in striving to attain in the breeding of the 
‘merino. ‘The horns of the Angora, as with the merino ram, may be said to be 
indicative of the quality and character of the fleece, while with the does a fine 
and delicately-curved horn is most preferred. Of the Cape Angora, it is said 
by Schreiner that it is a distant cross with the Kurd, or common goat; that the 
breed is not quite fixed, but is gradually tending to become so; is a larger, 
somewhat coarser, harder. breed, with an oilier and heavier fleece, though not 
attaining to the high standard of the pure Angora; yet, nevertheless, in the 
best specimens of great beauty and excellence, and equal to the most exacting 
demands of the present mohair manufacturing trade, 
As an instance 0 the progress made in the establishment of the industry 
in South Africa it may be mentioned that the first regular export commenced 
in 1857, and was valued at £10. In following the figures of 1897 we find the 
‘total value exported for that year is £676,644. This, of course, represents all 
grades, and comparatively little of the product of the pure blood. The thick 
Boer goat-like form and head is a peculiar characteristic of the great majority 
of even the finest specimens of the South African Angora, and it is now only 
reasonable to suppose that this distinguishing mark of the cross will always 
remain. No matter how much superior an animal of this description may be 
in all other respects, it must always be wiser to revert to the original pure-bred 
-animal as a sire, particularly for the purpose of cross-breeding. It is to be 
noticed that while the general average of the Cape Angora is considerably 
lower than, say, for example, that of Mr. Scammell’s flock in South Australia, 
‘the individual fleeces of choice specimens are much higher than any yet 
attained in Australia. In judging the respective merits of the two, however, 
we must bear in mind that the fleece of our Australian animal is particularly 
void of grease, while still being silky, soft, and lustrous, and full of character. 
‘The Cape goat is often almost black with grease, straighter and coarser in 
‘fibre, less lustrous, and would probably scour to a smaller value. Certain it 
‘seems that the carefully-bred original and pure Angora, such as those consti- 
tuting Mr. Secammell’s flock, must always command a higher ideal in the 
minds of all connected with the mohair industry than would the choicest 
animals of other origin. 
In the United States in 1897 there were estimated to be 247,775 Angoras, 
‘which were not, of course, all first-class animals, a large number being of low 
grade. The American supply of mohair is far less than the local demand, 
-and being a large manufacturer, the States import from England no less than 
1,250,000 Ib. annually, and the industry is still rapidly increasing. It is said 
that there were only about 400 Angoras originally imported, and those at about 
the same date as they were introduced into South Africa. Considering the 
large extent of the States that must have been found unsuitable, also the many 
‘other profitable and varying industries with which the Angora has had to 
compete, the progress has certainly not been disparaging. 
MOHAIR—ITS SUPPLY AND DEMAND. 
The United States Agricultural Department reported some years since, 
which has been fully borne out, that the demand for mohair is permanent and 
‘increasing, and would continue to increase until met by vastly more copious 
production beyond the possible increased Asiatic supplies. The manufacturers 
in England, the Continent, and America were looking to South Africa, Australia, 
the States, and South America for an increased production to meet their 
necessities, and the value of the entire interest would be enormously enhanced. 
by the opening of an adequate and permanent source of supply. In 1895 the 
‘world’s reputed production of mohair from all sources was placed at about 
20,000,000 Ib., coming principally from Turkey, the Cape, and supplemented by 
‘about 5,000,000 lb. grown in the United States, and but small quantities from 
Australia. Pastoralists’ Review. 
