ANGOLA GOATS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 16

ANGOLA GOATS.

AN ENEMY OF SCRUB.

VALUE OF THE FLESH.

An Australian writer dealing with the subject of Angora goats says:— The Angora is not too safe id blackberry or briar country, as its lonjr fle-ace is apt to catch in the thorny branches, and the goat becomes a prisoner or injures itself in its struggles. It cannot be claimed that the goat is as useful or as profitable as the sheep, especially at the present time; but on rough, hilly land where sheep wouid do but poorly goats will thrive. They do not like wet, lowlying land, as they are subject to footrot and worms. Clear, running waiter is very desirable for them; and this is more usually found in the hill country. In stagnant water tho injurious parasites breed. Hilly country, too. is usually stony and this will serve to keep the feet in good trim. Rock salt should be available always for goats, as for sheep.

Travellers in the inland country often consume goat-mutton without knowing it. There is a prejudice against the flesh in many parts of the world; but if people were fully seized with .he clean-feoding 'habits of tho Angora they would appreciate the meat better. Tile flesh of the kid is very similar to lamb. The covering, known as mohair, does not loom large in the export figures of Australia; but there is a firm and established market in London for the fleece and skin, just as there, is for sheep's wool and pelt. Figures gathered from the Wyalong stud, of New South Wales, teach that pure Angoras cut about 51b. of wool, while special studs may cut up to 181b. When it is remembered that the first merino taken to America yielded only 4£lb. greasy wool per head, It can be seen what possibilities there are in improving the fleece of the Angora by selection, for breeders hold that the response is quick and sure. One thing to the advantage of. mohair is that there is less loss in scouring than in wool, as it carries very little grease or yolk. Thus, 51b. of mohair would yield on a cleanscoured basis about the same as 81b. of wool. For over 40 years, up to 1911, the price per pound of mohair has not been less than Is, and much higher prices can be obtained for long staple. The average length of staple of mohair is 9in. to 10in., and the fleece is usuaUy taken off with machineshears as with sheep. Mohair is fine, soft, silkv, and always pure white; but it lacks the "felting qualities of wool. Its degree of lustre is taken as an indication of strength; and the material manufactured from it is used for fine dress frabies and for upholstering. Like sheep's wool, the Angora fleece will show signs of kemp, or hair, but this can be eliminated by careful breeding. The Angora will never I supplant the merino in good clear country; but considering its value in keeping down scrub, it might be usefully employed in hilly, rough country, unsuitecl to sheep.