Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1870 — Food Promotive of the Growth of Wool. [ARTICLE]

Food Promotive of the Growth of Wool.

The food required for promoting the growth of wool differs but little from that usually given under any liberal system ol feeding. The special requirement is a supply of sulphur, which it usually secures from such green crops and corn as clover, vetches, beans, peas, lentils, etc. The influence which these have on wool has been frequently observed, and we have in this fact an explanation of much of the softness of texture which is then produced. Wool appears to require other materials for growth, but only such as are necessary for the production of food and fat. We shall therefore be perfectly safe in promoting the growth of wool—so fit as food is concerned—if, in addition to our ordinary supplies of food, we give the animal some variety of the leguminous crops already named. We have already noticed that the wool has to penetrate the skin in its outward growth. The condition of the skin has for this reason a most important influence upon the character of the wooh It acta as a sort of gauge, regulating the size’of the fibre. Any circumstances which enlarge this gauge produce an opening for the growth of coarser wool, and the opposite result is secured by any agency which decreases the size of the apertures, thereby producing a finer fibre. It is essential to the character of a good wool that there should be an evenness of staple. Irregularities in the size of the fibres is always undesirable, causing weaker por tions, which do not withstand equal tension, and, consequently, decreasing the general strength of this wool for manufacturing purposes. This arises from the influence of the skin in contracting, or expanding the pores, and usually originates in great changes of temperature. Excessive heat naturally opens the pores, and favors the production of coarse wool; and great severity of cold contracts the pores and makes the wool small in the fibre. It is therefore clear that, to secure an even growth of wool, we must shield the animals from extremes, both of heat ano cold, and, as far as practicable, moderate by shelter their respective influences. The value of wool is also materially influenced by the softness of the skin, and this is, in its turn, very much a consequence of sufficient supply of good food. It has been very generally noticed that, when the growth of wool is rapid, and of a healthy character, there is not- enly an abundance of yolk in the wool, giving it a soft or greasy feel, but the skin has, much the same condition. This is never found upon sheep which, are badly fed, and in poor condition. Under such circumstances the blood is naturally free from any oily matter, and, consequently, the roots of the wool cannot get their supply; neither can the skin maintain its soft and greasy condition. A liberal supply of good food is therefore an essential for the production of the best quality of wool. The influence of food does not end here, for a regularity in the supply is almost as important as the quality. Any period of short supplies or of inferior food leaves a clear record in the flbro of the wool, producing a harsher and weaker structure, which is readily distinguished from the growth produced when the animal is well fed. These portions are of necessity less able to stand the strain of manufacturing processes, and the value of the wool is decreased. Large quantities of wool are thus injured by a short supply of food, which would have been materially increased in value if some additional food had been given so as to supplement the ordinary supply. These cases unfortunately occur more a time of the year when the severity of the cold increases the damage; but on every principle of economy they should be very carefully guarded against.— Mark Lane Express.