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of goods. Wool that is very long", strong, and coarse in fibre is often 

 called "braid" wool, because it is from such wool as this that braid is 

 made. Then there is other wool, not quite so coarse as the braid wool, 

 but still quite long and very strong in fibre ; this is made into what are 

 called "worsted" goods. Worsteds are used very commonly in making 

 men's clothing. Some sheep produce wool that is quite long and yet 

 verv fine in fibre. Wool that is between two and three inches long and 

 very fine in fibre usually sells for a higher price per pound than other 

 kinds. It is used very largely for making ladies' dress goods, such as 

 delaines, and is often called "delaine" wool. Wool that is short and 

 fine in fibre is used for making such goods as broadcloth, fine undercloth- 

 ing, tweeds, and other goods of that kind. Some wool that is long and 

 coarse has weak spots in its fibres ; and any wool that has weak fibres 

 cannot be used for delaines, worsteds, or braid, but is made into cheap 

 tweeds, blankets, coarse underclothing, carpets, coarse stocking yarn, and 

 such like. Thus, you see, there are many kinds of tweed, undercloth- 

 ing, blankets, and such goods, depending upon the quality of the wool 

 that is used in making them. 



Such goods as delaines and worsteds have a smooth surface. This 

 is because the wool is put through machinery which stretches the wool 

 hairs out straight, and they are then twisted together in such a way that 

 all their ends are tucked in out of sii^ht. This stretching is called 

 " combipg," and the wool fibres must be sound and strong in order that 

 they may not break during the operation. But if you examine a piece of 

 tweed or blanket, you will see the ends of the wool hairs standing 

 out from the surface, making the material look rough. This is because 

 the wool has not been combed, but has been put through a process called 

 "carding," in which the wool is rolled up in such a way that when it is 

 spun, the ends of the wool hairs stand out from the yarn and give a. 

 rough appearance to the cloth after it is woven. As a rule, wool that is 

 lessthan two inches long is not combed, but is used for carding ; and 

 wool that is weak in fibre will not stand combing, and therefore must also 

 be carded. There are many other interesting things which might be said 

 about wool, but I shall simply ask that whenever you see a sheep, you 

 will think of what vou have learned about the wonderful coat it wears, 

 and remember that" we should always be kind to these gentle and timid 

 animals because we owe to them much of the most beautiful and most 

 comfortable clothing which we wear. 



