As a demonstration of the demand for wool in the United States 

 at the present time, the following resolution was passed on Januai 

 31, 1916, by one of the largest wool and textile associations in th< 

 United States : 



"The Philadelphia Wool and Textile Association, being intimatel; 

 acquainted by their trade requirements with the sheep industry of th< 

 world, and especially of the United States, feel it to be their duty t( 

 arouse the attention of the people of the United States to the decreas 

 in the number of sheep in the United States, and in consequence then 

 of, to the decreased supply of wool and meat available for the need oi 

 our population. From the facts regarding this matter, which come t( 

 our knowledge, we not only have evidence of decreased production, 

 but it appears to us that this decrease will continue unless effectiv< 

 efforts are made to interest and encourage our farming population t( 

 engage more generally in the maintenance of sheep. Moreover, w( 

 are aware that these supplies available from foreign sources are evi- 

 dently also on the decline, and we have seen what serious effect 

 foreign war can produce on such sources of supply." 



Relation to Soil Fertility. 



The ''golden hoof" explains the relation between sheep and soil 

 fertility. The high nitrogen and potassium content of sheep manure, 

 which is readily available as plant food, and the tendency of sheep 

 to spread their excrement uniformly are the factors which increase j 

 soil fertility. When sheep graze too closely they may injure grass j 

 land, but this should not be mistaken for depleting the soil of its, 

 fertility. The following table gives the relative value of manure from.j 

 various classes of live stock. 



Weight and Value of Manure from Farm Animals. 10 



Total Excrement 

 in one year 



Horses 15,877 Ibs. 



Cattle 26,061 " 



Sheep 1,367 " 



Swine 2,375 " 



Based on nitrogen 15.84 cents per tb., phosphoric acid 8.25 cents 

 per lb v and potash 5.3 cents per Ib. 



'Ohio Bulletin, No. 246. 



