The fourth importation consisted of about thirty-five animals, and was
made about 1858 by Mr. W. R. Thompson. These were considered very fine
animals, and were quite different from any previously imported.
Ten years later in 1868, another importation was made by South Africa
and from then on to 1880 between twelve and fifteen more lots were
secured, some of them consisting of hundreds of animals. In the twelve
years, up to 1880, over three thousand goats were received in South
Africa from Asia Minor. Some of them brought as high as $2,200 each.
During the next fourteen years there was a lack of importations into the
Colony. In 1894, the first lot of American Angora goats, six head, were
secured from C. P. Bailey of San Jose, California. They were sold to the
Cape farmers by the importers at satisfactory prices, and in June, 1895,
another lot of twenty bucks were secured from Mr. Bailey for $1000 cash.
These bucks had a hard trip, and shed their fleece, but they were sold
by the importer later.
In 1895, another importation of one hundred and sixty-five head were
secured by consent of the Sultan from Asia Minor. In 1896 another
importation of sixty-three head were landed and sold to the Cape
farmers. The highest priced buck of this lot brought about $1,850, and
the highest priced doe about $1,000. These goats were not considered
extra, with the exception of a few of the tops. They were not uniform,
the breeches were bad, bellies deficiently covered, and they carried
considerable kemp.