Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-09-16
Food Promotiye of the Growth Of Wool.


growth of wool differs but little from that
usually given under any liberal system OF
feeding. The special requirement is a
supply of sulphur, which it usually Sc
cures from such green crops and corn as
clover, vetches, beans, peas, lentils, etc.
The influence which these have on wool
has been frequently observed, and we
have in this fact an explanation of much
of the softness of texture which is then
produced. Wool appears to require other
materials for growth, but only such as
are necessary for the production of food
and fat. We shall therefore be perfectly
safe in promoting the growth of wool
so far as food is concerned-if, in addi-
ton to our ordinary supplies of food, we
give the animal some variety of the legu-
minous crops already named
I We have already noticed that the wool
has to penetrate the skin in it's outward
growth. The condition of the skin has
for this reason most important influence
Upon the character of the wool. 1t acts
as a sort of gauge, regulating the size of
the fibre. Any circumstances which en-
large this gauge produce an opening for
the growth of coarser wool, and the oppo-
site result is secured by any agency which
decreases the size Of the apertures, there
by producing finer fibre. It is essential
to the character of good wool that there
should be an evenness Of staple.
Irregularities in the size of the fbres is
always undesirable, causing weaker por
tons, which do not Withstand equal ten
sion, and, consequently, decreasing the
general strength of this wool for manu-
featuring purposes. This arises from the
influence of the skin in contracting, OF
expanding the pores, and usually origi-
mates in great changes Of temperature.
Excessive heat naturally opens the pores,
and favors the production of coarse wool !;
and great severity of cold contracts the
pores and makes the wool small in the
fibre. 1t is therefore clear that, to secure
an even growth of wool, we must shield
the animals from extremes, both of heat
ana cold, and, as far as practicable, moder-
ate by shelter their respective influences.
The value of wool is also materially in
fuenced by the softness of the skin, and
this is, in its turn, very much a conse-
quence of sufficient supply of good food.
1t has been very generally noticed that,
when the growth of wool is rapid, and of
healthy character, there is not only an
abundance of yolk in the wool, giving it
soft or greasy feel, but the skin has
much the same condition. This is never
found upon sheep which are badly fed,
and in poor condition. Under such cir
cumstances the blood is naturally free
from any oily matter, and, consequently,
the roots of the wool cannot get their
supply neither can the skin maintain its
soft and greasy condition. A liberal sup
ply of good food is therefore an essential
for the production of the best quality of
wool.
The influence Of food does not end
here, for q regularity in the supply is al
most as important as the quality. Any
period Of short supplies or of inferior
food leaves clear record in the fibre Of
the wool, producing harsher and weaker
structure, which is readily distin guished
from the growth produced when the ami
NAL is we'll fed. These portions are of
necessity less able to stand the strain of
manufacturing processes, and the value of
the wool is decreased. Large quantities of
wool are thus injured by short supply of
food, which would have been materially
increased in value if some additional food
had been given so as to supplement the
ordinary supply. These cases unfortu-
nately occur more frequently at time of
the year when the severity of the cold
increases the damage; but on every prin
ciple of economy they should be very
carefully guarded against. Lane
ErpreSs