WOOL. 189 



7. Angola sheep (Ovis aries angolensis). 



8. Yenu or goitefed sheep (Ovis aries steatiniora). 



9. Madagascar sheep. 



10. Bearded sheep of West Africa. 



11. Morocco sheep (Ovis aries numidse). 



IV. America. 



1. West Indian sheep found in Jamaica. 



2. Brazilian sheep. 



Effects of Food on Wool. The feeding of the sheep, says a French 

 writer, has a most marked influence on the quality and quantity of the wool. 



In this connection the rules to be observed are : (1) To obtain wool 

 of good quality and proper quantity the sheep should be well fed. The 

 increase of the wool in length and resistance comes to a stop if the 

 animal be deprived of the amount of food necessary for it. Well-fed 

 sheep pay for the increased expense by the weight of the fleece and the 

 better quality of the wool. 



There is, however, an essential difference to be noted in long-woolled 

 sheep. Too much and too rich food soon make the wool of short-woolled 

 sheep too long, an inconvenience which has not to be feared in long- wool 

 varieties. 



(2) When the sheep receives too little food, or when the food given 

 in sufficient quantities is not sufficiently nutritive, the wool preserves 

 its fineness and acquires a certain length, but its resistance fails, as it is 

 deprived of grease, which makes it harsh to the touch and as dry as flax. 



(3) Regularity in the distribution of the food is of the highest import- 

 ance, the wool soon showing the effects of this. This is ^hat is seen when 

 in winter the sheep are well fed with hay, grain, beans, and oil-cake, and 

 when these supplementary foods are too quickly taken away in the spring. 



The wool undergoes a time of stoppage later, continuing to grow 

 under more favourable circumstances. The woolly 'hair is less resistant, 

 and in a part of its extent covers a dead spot, a real scar indicating the 

 irregularity of growth. 



(4) Opinions differ as to the action of different foods upon the wool. 

 All,/ however, agree in attributing a marked effect to fertile pastures.. 

 The fleece is more abundant; the hair is longer and noticeable for its 

 softness, whiteness, brightness, and strength. Sturm lays down the 

 rule that all foods which promote perspiration produce a finer wool ; i 

 that is, those which include the most nutritive matters in the smallest 

 compass. 



