Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-12-07
W DOL.

The winter and early spring months have
an influence upon the quality Of the fleece,
which is worthy Of passing notice. This is
season of the year when there is a great
liability to injury, which proper attention can
easily prevent. The growth Of wool is prob
ably more entirely under control than any
other part of the body, aud gives more per.
manent indication of any influences which
operate upon it, Its mode Of growth and
its source Of nourishment are SO completely
under the system of management adopted,
that we can, with care, improve its quality,
and regulate its general character.
now WOOL MAKES ITS GROWTH.
The manner in which wool makes its growth
is exceedingly simple. We find beneath the
skin series of small cells, from one Of which
each fiber Of wool emanates 1t may be
compared to a minute onion, with its rising
stalk. This fiber of wool, after commencing
its outward growth has to penetrate through
the pores Of the skin ; it then becomes yisi-
BILE to the eye, and by its extended growth
clothes the animal with Il covering, varying
in character according to the circumstances
of its growth Like every other organic
structure, it needs suitable nutrment, upon
which it may feed, and from which it may ex-
tract the materials required for building up
its frame work. This nutriment is secured
by the small cells, by which the wool is root
cd beneath the skin, which absorb all that the
wool requires from the blood circulating be-
meath them. This will tend to show how the
nourishment of wool is so much under our
control If the blood does not contain the
materials required for the WOOL it is simply
impossible for any growth to be secured
The cells caunot absorb the necessary supplies
if not presented to them in blood 1t there
fore becomes evident, that unless the animals
food is Of such a character as to supply the
nutriment required its growth must cease
On the other hand, liberal supply of pro-
per matter promotes a rapid growth and
gives it strength Of texture considerably
greater than is obtained from inferior food
whilst its softness is fully preserved
FOOD PRoMoTIyR OF THE GROWTH OF WOOL.
The food required for promoting the growth
of wool, differs but little from that usually
given under any liberal system of feeding
The special requirement is a supply Of sui.
phur, which it usually secures from such green
crops and corn as clover, yetches, beans, peas
lentils &c. The influence which these have
on wool, has heen frequently observed, and
we have in this fact an explanation Of much
Of the soitness Of texture which is thus pro.
duced. Wool appears to require other ma.
torials for growth, but only such as are nee.
essary for the production of flesh and fat
T We shall therefore be perfectly safe in pro.
noting the growth Of wool--so far as food is
concerned--if, in addition to our ordinary
supplies Of food, we give the animal some
variety Of the leguminous crops already
named, We have already noticed that the
wool has to penetrate the skin in its 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 guage, regulating the size Ct the fiber.
Any circumstances which enlarge this
gauge produce an opening for the growth Of
coarser WOOL and the opposite result is Sc.
cured by any agency which decreases the size
Of these appertures, thereby producing finer
fiber. 1t is essential to the character of 4
good wool that there should be an eyenness Of
staple. Irregularities in the size OF the ibel
are always undesirable, causing weaker por
tions which do not Withstand equal tension
and consequently, decreasing the genera
strength of this wool for manufacturing pur