224 



MEftlNO WOOL. 



of native grease, as the protecting the fleece from the humidify 

 and inclemencies of climate. In a country where such exist 

 in any great degree, it would be requisite, in order to attain 

 and preserve a superior degree of fineness, that the sheep be 

 housed in the winter, as practised in Saxony, and the northern 

 parts of Germany, where they not only cot them in the winter, 

 . but drive them under cover at every thunder-storm in summer. 

 m& not often The frequent washing of a sheep's coat, wilt very much deprive 

 ■ it of its grease, as is evident from comparing the external part 



of the fleece with the internal. The same comparison will 

 show how greatly such washing has impaired its fineness. The 

 ~ closeness of the coat of the Spanish sheep, compacted as it is, 

 by its vast diffusion of grease, into almost a coat of mail, pre- 

 vents the admission of the rain infinitely beyond that of any 

 other sheep we know of ; and accordingly protects the quality 

 of the wool longer from deterioration. But even the Spanish 

 fleece, by constant exposure to a humid climate, and to driving 

 winds, and rains, will be penetrated, and every year become- 

 more open and hollow, and less tenacious cf its native grease, 

 and, in proportion, less fine, 

 and thai the My opinion, as to the best mode of preparing Merino wool 



ileeces should f or t j ie market, is, that where a certain and ready sale offers* 



he kept in the ..,.,.,..,.. . . , . . . ■ 



grease as long '* should be left wholly in its native grease, without being 



as may conve- washed on the sheep's back. This further advantage attends it, 



^ ' that the fleece is much more captivating to the eye, and the 



fibre appears much more silky and fine. I fear, however, that 



there is not, at present, that quickness and certainty of sale, which 



will permit the grower to produce his wool in this condition. 



For if tbey have a chance of lying a long time in the grease, 



they will heat and be injured. I cannot, therefore, recommend 



it as a general practice, but I think where wools are likely to be 



used within six months of shearing, there can be no objection. 



The wot)I may to keeping them in the full grease. I have, however, the 



be washe? Ury satisfaction to state, that by the moderate degree of ablution,, 



while grow- which takes place in washing the wool on the sheep's back, the 



g rease j s no t expunged in a degree to injure the softness of the 



fibre. The same mode is practised in Saxony, and is altogther 



different from the complete washing in hot and cold water, 



which the wool receives after being shorn in Spain. 



Tb* 



