SHEEP-FARMING IN THE WEST. 05 



utterly destructive to that kind of grass. They eat the 

 heart out of clover and the plant dies, so that the 

 most thrifty farmers who manure their land by plough- 

 ing down clover in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York 

 have almost entirely ceased to raise sheep, believing the 

 profit to be derived from them will not pay for the 

 injury done their lands. 



The importance of wool as a source of natural wealth 

 is shown by its effect on the increase of population and 

 wealth where sheep are most raised. Roubaix, France, 

 rose from a population of 5000 souls and a manufac- 

 tory of 3000 pieces to 55,000 people and 400,000 

 pieces. Rheims began, in 1801, the manufacture of 

 merino, and in 1863 had 55,000 workmen running 

 170,000 spindles and 19,000 hand-looms, annually 

 producing 80,000,000 francs worth of cloth. Beda- 

 rieux, from a small village, has grown to be a great 

 city, and sends out annually 250,000 pieces of cap 

 cloth. Elbeuf, also, once a small hamlet, now has 

 24,000 workmen employed. Verviers, Belgium, from 

 5000 people has grown to 40,000 by the manufacture 

 of cloth. In one season she sent out 70,000,000 francs 

 worth. West Riding of Yorkshire, England, from 

 59,000 souls has increased to 1,375,000 ; Halifax, from 

 63,000 to 130,000; Huddersfield, from 14,000 to 

 38,000; Leeds, from 53,000 to 152,000; Bradford, 

 from 14,000 to 100,000. It is in Bradford that the 

 great English worsted-works are located. 



" Not guarded Colchis gave admiring Greece 

 So rich a treasure in its golden fleece." 



