THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



3 LI 



of the purchaser ; but we will start with a plant one 

 foot high, which should, when well established, receive 

 proper pruning by cutting in, to the required breadth, 

 such irregular or luxuriant shoots that project beyond 

 tlie limit allotted to them-: this concentrates all the energies 

 of the plant to the purposes intended — the forming a 

 good hedge. After two or three years, it may be found 

 necessary, perhaps, to stop a few of the most naked and 

 strongest leaders, should they start beyond an ordinary 

 growth ; otherwise there might be hollow places found, 



which would spoil the general effect of an even outline. 

 It would, under every circumstance, be advisable to use 

 a knife, and not the shears, as they rather mutilate the 

 plants ; in fact, it is a barbarous practice at all times, to 

 apply the shears to good evergreen hedges. Beyond an 

 occasional top-dresssing or a little mulching, the work 

 is done, and the extra pains taken in the early growth of 

 hollies will amply repay the planter for his trouble, 

 and he may in after-years look with pride on bis 

 handy work. 



THE GROWTH AND MANAGEMENT OF WOOL. 



At a late monthly meeting of the Haddington 

 Agricultural Club, Mr. Gaukroger, wool merchant, 

 of Haddington, said he had been called upon so 

 iiriex|)ectedly to preside at that meeting, and had 

 latterly been so much engaged in buying and 

 packing wool, that he had no time to prepare a few 

 remarks anent the growth and management of that 

 staple commodity. It might be assumed, however, 

 that anyone practically acquainted with that branch 

 of commerce could not be at a loss for a few words 

 on the subject. The first step incumbent upon 

 those aspiring to become growers of first-class 

 wool, is to be particular in obtaining a clean, 

 health}'', and pure stock. Take for instance the sort 

 of wool most in demand at the present moment — 

 half-bred hogs — in order to obtain the extreme 

 prices now going, there must be no infusion of 

 blackfaced blood. Let it be as remote as you like, it 

 will show itself in a greater or less degree, and, 

 wherever prevalent, seriously deteriorates the value 

 of this class of wool. They shall be crossed for 

 years, and crossed again, till not the slightest 

 symptoms canbediscovered in the head or legs of the 

 sheep; but to a judge the tinge of blood is at once 

 detected in the wool ; it is heavily britched, and 

 hardly ever free from kemps — a vile, thick, dead 

 white hair, that all staplers and manufacturers have 

 a great repugnance to. In a pure stock this 

 objectionable hair is sometimes found, but generally 

 in aged sheep; old ewes, for instance, that are 

 draughted from breeding stocks, and sold to low 

 country farmers, who make them and that year's 

 lambs fit for the butcher. To produce a sound- 

 stapled wool, it is necessary that the sheep be 

 regularly fed ; what I mean is, that they be not 

 allowed to go back in condition, for where this is 

 permitted, it shows itself no less in the wool than 

 the mutton ; moreover, the wool can never after- 

 wards recover its strength, and at that point where 

 they hnve been pinched of meat, the wool will be 

 tender, and break, and will not comb, but only fit 

 for weft or carding, and is consequently not so 

 valuable as sound combing wool. The stronger 

 you feed, the wool will be the longer and heavier, 

 but not the finer haired — medium feeding is best 

 for combining quality with a fair sound staple. 

 The North British Agriculturist of May 20th, in 

 speaking of salve or laid wool, strongly approves of 

 not clipping the sheep till the wool is again greasy 

 with its natural secretion. I believe this to be a 

 good plan for laid wools, but for white wools it is 

 not; the sooner the sheep are clipped after the 



wool is thoroughly dry the better— buyers don't 

 like to see greasy, " yolky" wool, and wont give a 

 top price for it. Provided the weather is favourable 

 for drying, 4 to 6 or 8 days is long enough, and 

 not 14 or 20, as some people might think. 

 Another important feature, although a very simple 

 one, is the winding up, or what is termed in York- 

 shire the " lapping." This is too often neglected ; 

 the servant, in many instances, is careless, and 

 does not clean the fleece of all dung, dirt, tar, straw, 

 &c. I believe this is never done with the know- 

 ledge of the master, but they cannot be too particular 

 in cautioning their servants in this respect. 

 There is a law passed for the protection of manu- 

 facturers and wool-staplers, making this a serious 

 ofFence, and punishable by a fine upon every fleece 

 so falsely wound, as well as the entire forfeiture 

 of such fleeces, and the case to be disposed of in a 

 summary way before a magistrate. It is, perhaps, 

 not out of place my alluding to this. I don't 

 think it has ever been acted upon in this country. 

 I am sure no one would like to take abvantage of 

 the servant's mistake, as the farmers would not be 

 cognizant of it, and are a courteous, gentlemanly, 

 and hospitable class, which of itself even would 

 debar any one from going to such " straits." 

 Some districts have deservedly a better character 

 than others for the growth of the wool. East 

 Lothian cannot and never could compete^ with the 

 border — Roxburgh and Berwickshire. These dis- 

 tricts are famed in Yorkshire and France for what 

 is termed Northumberland wool (which includes 

 the wool of Northumberland, Roxburgh, Berwick, 

 East and Mid-Lothian), and always brings higher 

 prices. This is to be attributed to the soil and 

 cHmate of those districts being better adapted to 

 the growth of wool, and being more what is termed 

 a wool-growing country, greater attention is paid 

 to it. In this county there is the greatest difference 

 possible — some places grow much better wool than 

 others ; go down to the low country and near to 

 the sea, and then to the parishes of Salton, Gifford, 

 and Bolton, and you will find a startling superiority 

 in favour of the latter;— the former wants that 

 bright rich colour and full wholesome appearance 

 of the latter, and has a dull," reeky", unkind aspect, 

 and is wastier. I must state, however, that in 

 spite of soil and climate, and the keeping of 

 "flying stocks", there are some praiseworthy 

 exceptions in the northern division of the county. 

 It does not follow that the richest and best corn 

 land produces the best wool. I can understand a 



