200 AGRICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS 



The first group is grown principally for wool, and mutton 

 is secondary ; in the second, mutton comes first and wool 

 second ; while in the third both are important considera- 

 tions. Wool is nature's protection for the sheep. Have 

 you ever opened the fleece and observed the clean skin 

 in which the fibers grow? These fibers, or hairs, are so 

 roughened that they push all dirt away from the skin 

 towards the outside of the fleece. 



Wool is valuable in proportion to the length and even- 

 ness of the fiber and the density of the fleece. 



QUESTIONS 



1. How many pounds ought a fleece of wool to weigh ? 



2. Which makes the better clothing, coarse or fine wool ? 



3. Why are sheep washed before being sheared? 



4. Does cold weather trouble sheep ? wet weather ? 



SECTION XLIII SWINE 



The wild boar is a native of Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

 These wild hogs are the parents from which all our domestic 



FIG. 181. WHICH WILL YOU RAISE? 



breeds have sprung. In many parts of the world the wild 

 boar is still found. These animals are active and power- 

 ful, and as they grow older are fierce and dangerous. In 



