142 THE SHEPHERD'S MANUAL. 



those distant countries to select wools suitable for their needs 

 which they cannot procure at home. The heavy expenses involved 

 act as a protection to this industry here, not to speak of the pres- 

 ent import duty levied on foreign wools. Large quantities of this 

 cross-bred wool are also used in England, where it cannot be pro- 

 duced so cheaply as here. It would be strange indeed if we can- 

 not, with our vast territory, equally favorable in climate and soil 

 with those distant regions of the southern hemisphere, at least 

 compete on equal terms with the shepherds of those countries, 

 more especially as we enjoy an immense advantage, which they 

 do not, in having a market at our very doors for the mutton which 

 these sheep so profitably produce. In short, the production of 

 American cross-bred sheep offers a most enticing field for experi- 

 ment and labor both to the skillful breeder and the enterprising 

 farmer. For the first in keeping up a supply of pure bred rams, 

 and in improving their quality so as to meet the demand of the 

 farmer ; and for the latter in seeking out, selecting, and using these 

 pure rams on our native sheep with proper knowledge, judgment, 

 and skill, so as to supply the demands of our own manufacturers 

 at least, if not those of other countries. To do this there must be 

 an actual contact and interchange of ideas and experiences be- 

 tween the woolen manufacturer and fhe breeder and farmer, by 

 means of which the needs of the one and the opportunities and 

 duties of the others, may be mutually explained and made known. 

 Neither branch of our native wool industry can flourish as it 

 should and might without this interchange of views and the 

 recognition of an identity of interest. 



CHAPTER VI. 

 WOOL ITS STRUCTURE AND USES. 



Wool in its character and structure in no respect differs from 

 hair. When hair is soft, pliable, and of a spiral or wavy form, it 

 is what we call wool. Wool, like hair, is the outer covering of 

 some species of animals, and is a growth from the skin. The skin 

 of an animal is a composite structure consisting of two portions, 

 the outer and insensible layer called the epidermis, and a highly 

 sensitive, vascular and nervous layer beneath this, called the 



