THIRD GRADE WINTER WORK 151 



influenced by the abundance of supply or by the quality of 

 the fur. 



Make a list of fur-bearing animals. Where are they found ? 

 Why? Are they large or small animals, generally? How 

 do they compare in size with animals that are covered with 

 hair? Does fur protect from anything but cold? What 

 other covering would be a better protection from the bites or 

 kicks of enemies? Would such a covering be as suitable as 

 fur for the fur-bearing animals ? Why not ? 



Examine and compare different kinds of fur. Of what 

 use is the "over hair" found on most furs? Explain how 

 the fur is kept light and fluffy, and in this condition is warmer 

 than if matted into hard masses. The warmth of fur de- 

 pends upon its being a non-conductor of heat; and this in 

 turn depends largely upon the amount of air held entangled 

 among the fibers of the fur. 



The manufacture of felt, and especially of felt hats, if illus- 

 trated by a visit to an establishment doing this work, or by 

 pictures, will be good work for this grade. 



LESSON XXVI 

 ANIMAL COVERINGS WOOL AND HAIR 



Get samples of wool, if possible, as it comes from the sheep. 

 Show pictures of different kinds of sheep, and compare the 

 wools they produce. Which are long ? coarse ? fine ? short ? 

 Visit the State Fair and study the different breeds of sheep 

 usually on exhibition at such places. 



Discuss the uses of wool to the sheep. When is shearing 

 done? Why? Describe sheep shearing. How many 

 pounds of wool in an average fleece? If the shearing is 



