Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

Imports of goatskins for fiscal years of 1898 to 1902, and countries of export.

[blocks in formation]
[subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed]

Imports of goatskins for fiscal years of 1898 to 1902, and countries of export-Continued.

[blocks in formation]

MARKETS FOR GOATSKINS.

The fact that this country imported goatskins last year to the amount of $25,000,000 is sufficient evidence that we have a market for any that might be produced, provided the domestic skins were suitable. Of this point there can hardly be a doubt; but it is not probable that those who might engage in the industry here would take the painsnecessary to produce the best skins. Those that are imported go principally into the manufacture of shoes, although large quantities are made into gloves and a lesser quantity into morocco leather.

As there has not been a sufficient number of domestic skins placed upon the market to establish a price, the only estimate that can be made must be based upon the imported skins. In making such an estimate it should be remembered that the values of imports are the invoice prices at ports of export, and also that the skins are all dry. With these figures as a basis, it will be seen that the skins received in 1902 were worth an average price of 28.9 cents per pound; in 1901 the average price was 1 cent per pound less. Of course, the weights of the skins vary considerably between the light kid skin and the heavier one of the mature goat. It is a very heavy skin that will weigh 4 pounds when dry. But the value of a properly preserved kiḍ skin is greater per pound than that of an old skin. In estimating an average, one would have to consider these points as well as the supply and demand.

Most of the imported skins arrive in bales of 100 each, and they are all dry. These are sorted into grades by the tanner, and this selection, with his further manipulation, adds to the value.

THEIR MEAT AND THE MARKETS FOR IT.

While it is generally agreed among those who speak from experience that the kids of all breeds of goats are a delicacy, it is true that among the great mass of the people of this country there is a prejudice against anything bearing the name of "goat." Within the environments of all of the larger cities are found many kids, and it is evident that only a few of them grow to maturity. What becomes of them? Butchers and meat dealers answer the question by saying that they pass over their blocks as "lamb." No meat dealer has heard of a complaint of the quality of such "lamb."

A considerable number of mature common goats are purchased by the packing houses of the larger cities. They are purchased as goats and sold, either in the carcass or canned, as mutton; and many who decry goat meat have unconsciously eaten it many times no doubt. This does not mean that the meat is as palatable as good mutton, but it may be as good as poor mutton, and so the consumer's criticism concerns the quality and not the kind.

The flesh of any mature common goat is not palatable to most persons who have tasted it. This is due to the strong taste and, to some extent, to its toughness. Proper care in dressing would probably mitigate if not entirely prevent the strong taste, and feeding on grain would tend to produce a more tender carcass. Both these points, however, will hardly receive attention from anyone who may contemplate going into the industry, for the reason that they will add materially to the cost of production.

The excellent quality of the kid meat has already been mentioned. It is safe to say that the existing prejudice against it would disappear if people were to test it, and in time a good market ought to be built up for all that can be produced. However, the question arises, Will it pay to raise common goats for the sale of kids? The farmer will have to determine this matter for himself. If a ready market were established for the kids at, say, $1.50 each, and if one doe can raise three or four kids annually, it can hardly be doubted that the industry could be made profitable. At this time no such market exists.

LAND AVAILABLE FOR GOAT RAISING.

In a general way it may be said that all land in the United States, except the very low and swampy tracts, is suitable for goat raising. The feed that goats prefer is browse, with a small admixture of weeds. and grass, and therefore those tracts of land that are burdened with brushwood and briers are especially desirable. This fact makes it clear that in the colder parts of the country it would be necessary to provide some feed in winter, as nothing but the soft twigs remain at that time as browse. Goats will eat grass if required to do so and will thrive upon it, but grass land is regarded as being so much more profitable for hay production or as pasture for cattle and sheep that the placing of goats upon it is not to be considered.

There are millions of acres of land suitable for goat raising in the United States. Some of it is Government land open for settlement, and much of it is held by private ownership. The Bureau of Animal Industry makes no pretentions toward locating this land for inquirers, but must direct them to other well-known sources of information, such as the various Government land offices, State boards of agriculture, industrial agents of the railroads, real estate agents, etc.

If one selects land for raising goats for their skins in the cold climates, he must remember that he is dealing with short-haired animals, and therefore he must provide a warm shelter for them for winter use. Where the Angora revels in the dry cold of a severe winter, the common short-haired animal would freeze to death.

AS FOUNDATION STOCK FOR ANGORAS.

A few years ago Mexican does were used extensively as foundation stock for a flock of Angoras, using bucks of the latter breed. How

« AnteriorContinuar »