160 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE FARM 
cottonwood, thistle 
and milkweed, produc- 
ing fiber abundantly. 
The fiber products 
of the world’s farms 
are exceeded in value 
only by the food pro- 
ducts. The chief ani- 
mal fibers are, in the 
order of value, wool, 
silk and hair: the 
chief plant fibers are 
cotton, flax and hemp. 
None of the plants or 
animals concerned is ee seeds issuing from milk- 
native to our soil. 
We have not found out how to use any of the native fiber 
products with profit. In this, as in so many other fields, 
the great discoveries of nature’s material resources were 
made by our forefathers in other lands and in a far distant 
age, antedating history. 
The chief use for fiber products is found in the making of 
textiles. After feeding people, the next sure good, accord- 
ing to Ruskin, is in clothing people; and this demands great 
quantities of textiles. The kinky fibers of wool lend them- 
selves ideally to the spinning process. They will hang 
together in simple yarns which may be knit or woven into 
warm clothing for cold climates. The soft fibers of linen 
make clothing that is cool and that may readily be kept 
clean forsummer use. ‘The shorter and finer fibers of cotton, 
being produced in greatest abundance, make the cheapest of 
clothing and are used in the greatest variety of ways, alone 
and in combination with wool, flax and silk. 
