Excerpt from A New Industry, or Raising the Angora Goat, and Mohair, for Profit: Embracing the Historical, Commercial, and Practical Features of the Industry; Together With Notes From a Number of Practical Breeders Giving Their Experience in Handling the Animal

When this work was commenced, in the early part of 1899, it was for the purpose of supplying a demand for information from farmers in the Northern states, whose attention had been called to the Angora Goat as a Brush Exterminator. They had heard of the wonderful saving of labor in clearing away briers, and brush, by the use of this animal, and many were anxious. To purchase some, but were totally ignorant of their habits, and how to breed them. The great call for information, touching these questions prompted me to write a complete manual, through which a stranger might understand how they are han dled; and, as I pursued my work, I learned of the existence of a. Non-shedding type of Angora, as well as a harmless variety, which I considered to be of such importance to the old breeders in the industry that I determined to delay its publication until I could investigate more fully into the merit of the matter. I distributed a large number of question - blanks over all the States: that had been raising them, asking breeders if they had ever observed any such types of goats in their flocks, and, am pleased to say, I have received an abundance of testimony as to the existence of the same, and I feel quite sure that the discovery will be received with great delight by all who ar-e interested in this new industry, particularly the non - shedding type; for, if there is any one objectionable part to the raising of the Angora goat, it is the unfortunate feature of casting its hair so early in the spring, necessitating the early shearing of the animal to prevent the loss of the valuable fleece, which so often results in the death of many from a sudden change of weather, or a cold, rainy, season.

Col. Richard Peters, of Georgia, always maintained that, the most serious objection he had ever experienced with the Angora Goat, was its tendency to shed its fleece too-early in the spring.

If they can be made to retain their fleece as securely as the sheep does, so as to admit of shearing at the pleasure of the breeder, a great drawback in the industry will be overcome. That such a. Type as non-shedding Angoras exist, there can be no doubt; and, whether it has been produced by a freak of nature or has been evolved through the action of the American climate, or by crossing with our short-haired varieties, I cannot say. I realize the importance of the changed condition of the animal, and feel certain that all old breeders will rejoice to hear of it.

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