2i8 SHEEP AND GOATS 



Wool is the most important of all animal fibers, and 

 is used extensively in the manufacture of cloth and 



SHEARING SHEEP 



carpets. The wool is sheared from the sheep in late 

 spring or early summer. On many farms the sheep are 

 washed before shearing; but on the ranges of the West- 

 ern states, the wool is clipped without washing, and is 

 sent to wool-scouring mills. In the woolen mills it is 

 woven into cloth for clothing, blankets, and other woven 

 goods. The coarsest wool is used to make carpets, 

 and the fibers not good for spinning are made into felt 

 hats and felt boots. The skins of sheep are used to 

 make many kinds of soft leather. 



Mutton and lamb. By many people, mutton is 

 regarded as a choice meat. Fat lamb is especially 



