74 Wool. 



proportionate difference was maintained nearly up to a 56'8 

 quality of wool or top. The importance of the quality number 

 is therefore most evident. 



The simplest definition of quality is " fineness of fibre." 

 As a rule, however, there is a concomitant variation in length, 

 fine fibres being short (say 5 in.), and coarse fibres being long 

 (say 12 in.) This is not invariably so, as in the museum of 

 the Bradford Technical College are exhibited fine Merino 

 staples up to 12 in. or 16 in. long while some cross-bred 

 staples are there shown between 30 in. and -40 in. long. These, 

 however, are abnormal growths — probably of two or three 

 years — and the additional length is of no real assistance to 

 the manufacturer. 



Fig. g. 

 A —Greasy Wool ; A\— Staples'-of Merino, shiwing dirty tips', IB.— Scoured Wool. 



The four accompanying illustrations (Fig. 7) in conjunction 

 with the following list ' give a good idea of what " quality " 

 really means to the manufacturer. 



There is a more refined use of the word " quality " which 

 is scientific rather than technical. Thus, there is a difference 

 between a GO's Australian and a GO's South American wool, in 

 which the physical texture, and possil)ly chemical composition 

 of the fibre is probably involved. The term quality in tliis 

 sense, however, is practically never used in the trade. 



' Specially compiled at the Braclford Technical College by Mr. Edford 

 Priestley, Lecturer in Combing and Spinning. 



