Joyce Ann Feller, age 15, of Millersville, Penna., for her question:

 What is cashmere?

Cashmere is the fabric made from the finest of all goat hair. The little aristocrat who grows it was originally a native of the Vclo of Kashmir and the steep slopes of the surrounding Himalayas. Shawls madee from his soft, soft fleece were prized by tine emperors of ancient some, Only royalty could afford them.

Nowadays the Cashmere, or Kashmir goat is cultivated in China, Mongolia and Tibet. The cashmere is a tough little goat, able to live in the sparse scrub of bleak slopes. You do not have to skin him to get his fleace, nor do we clip him as we _ the sheep. The fine cashmere threads are gently combed from the little goat's coat. And fabric made from his fleece is still in the luxury class.