WOOL

a variety of hair, but differing from the latter in being minutely waved, and covered with scales overlapping each other, or projecting where the filament bends. It is this quality which gives it its peculiar value, in that it retains the twisted state given to it by spinning, the kinks and scales catching in each other and holding the filaments together in a matted condition, giving it the quality of felting. By drawing the wool through combs, with angular metal teeth, some of the scales are removed, so that wool which has been combed too much is used for making yarn, such wool being known as worsted, and the cloth made from it being known as worsted cloth. Wool varies in character, or quality, according to the breed of sheep which yields it, and also with the nature of the soil, food, shelter and especially climate. At one time the finest wool was produced in Spain, from the merino sheep, but this breed was allowed to degenerate in Spain,’ so that at the present time wool has ceased to be an important commodity of éxport in Spain. At the present time the wool produced in Saxony, Germany, and in Silesia, is the finest obtainable. In order of quality the following countries produce large quantities of wool; Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Ru ia, Canada and the United States. The total production of wool in the world is about 2,600,000,000 ibs. a year, of which 800,000,000 comes from Australia, 460,000,000 from South America, 200,- 000,000 from Ru ia (before the World War) and 235,000,000 from the United States, this latter figure representing the production during the year 1922, a considerable decrease during recent years. The peak of wool production in the United States was reached in 1909, when over _ 328,000,000 pounds were produced. In spite of the vast areas of excellent pasturage throughout the country, especially in the West, wool production has never prospered in the United States to the extent that conditions warrant, and our present industry is largely a result of artificial stimulation through the protective tariff. Not only is the wool produced in the United States not enough to supply home consumption, but as much again is imported to meet the demand. In 1922 the importation of wool from other countries amounted to 255,087,236 pounds, which was more than the domestic supply. The manufactu re of wool into finished products is largely limited to New England, where the first mills were established early in last century. At the present time there are over 1,000 woolen mills in the United States. There are about 80,000 looms, of which about 8,000 are devoted to the manufacture of carpets and rugs. The number of active spinning spindles exceeds 4,000,000, which are almost divided between woolen goods equally worsteds. There are usually from and to 500,000 spindles idle. In 250,000 was a decided [increase in 1921 there textile establishments, esnew wool in knitting mills, whereas in pecially mills there was a decided falling cotton off. Quaker preacher. Born in American North amp ton, Burlington County, New August 1720; died in York, Eng Jersey, October 7, 1772. After work i ng as land, he learned the trade of a bookkeeper and became a speaker in the tailor, Society of Friends in 1741. He visited settlements of Virginia and cther the in the interests of the Quaker s. Colonies of his journeys is told in his The story of John Woolman; His Life Journal Travels in the Service of the Gospel, and 1871. which Whittier edited in 1775; become a Cla ic. Other works It has Considerations in the Keepi ng of Some and Negroes, 1753-1762. Considerations Serious Considerations, 1768. and poet; executed several Brit. sculptor and statues of portrait jdeal works, of his dist in gui she d conbusts of many His volume of poems, temporaries. Beautiful Lady, has gone throu gh My several editions. seat of Lora Chance:-