44 2 THE WOOL INDUSTRY 



Wherever sheep are reared as wool-producing rather than mutton-producing animals, 

 at least some endeavour is made to improve the fleece in one or more of its characteristics. 

 Of late some attention has been paid to the breeding of uni-fleeced sheep, i.e. sheep pro- 

 ducing wool of one or two qualities only, as distinct from the five or six qualities frequent- 

 ly to be found even on well-bred sheep. This tendency is usually in evidence wher- 

 ever attempts are being made to improve the merino or other breeds. 



Attempts have been made to improve the breed of sheep in South Africa and in the 

 West Indies. The connection of both these localities with Australia in the early days of 

 Australian colonization adds interest to the recent importations of Australian merinos 

 from accredited Australian stocks, and in the near future these localities may forward 

 to Europe considerable quantities of the finer qualities of merino so much in demand. 



Professor T. B. Wood, on the Cambridge University Farm, has applied Mendelism 

 to sheep breeding; an endeavour being made to reshuffle the Shropshire and Merino 

 characteristics and select the combination Merino wool and Shropshire carcase. By 

 October 1912 Professor Wood had the third generation of the cross, showing marked 

 segregation in wool characteristics. The effect of environment on the wool of Merino 

 sheep kept for some years in England is also being investigated. 



This attempt has stimulated other wool growers to work upon Mendelian lines and 

 it is more than probable that in the near future much better control of flocks will result. 



Wool Washing Processes. In the preparation of wool for the subsequent manufacturing 

 processes perhaps the most noticeable event since 1909-10 has been the debdcle attendant 

 upon the attempt of a Bradford firm to introduce the solvent method of wool scouring on a 

 large scale. Although the case was never proved against the firm in question the Bradford 

 Beck explosion so clearly showed the dangers attendant upon the use of any of the volatile 

 agents that on their own initiative the firm referred to gave up the attempt and dismantled 

 their machines. This failure is to be regretted from more than one point of view. The 

 solvent method is so useful for dealing with "tar-lots" and various stains on wools that its 

 suppression almost amounts to the elimination of such special lots from the market. 



From time to time new methods of scouring, or revivals of old methods, keep appearing. 

 Solvent earths appear, disappear and re-appear again. Upon the whole it appears impossible 

 to improve upon the emulsion method, especially if suitable emulsifying agents and well 

 thought-out machines are employed. The most recent emulsifying agent introduced is 

 "Sapon," for which the following advantages are claimed, (i.) The scoured wool dyes 

 better. (2.) While dirt, etc. is cleared away the "wool-wax" is left in and gives the wool a 

 most desirable "handle" and "lustre." (3.) There is no liberating of free caustic alkali and 

 consequently no production of sticky, insoluble soap on the wool fibre. (4.) Economy in the 

 scouring agent. (5.) Washing at 96 to 100 F. and consequently no clotting of blood cany- 

 ing anthrax and a consequent minimising of liability of the workers to contract anthrax. 

 Up to the present "Sapon" has proved its worth from the economical and efficiency point 

 of view for the longer wools, but it has yet to prove its value for the shorter merino wools. 



Attempts are being made to treat "wool-combers suds, washwaters" etc. Several 

 methods have been or are being tried, and although it can not be said that any one has proved 

 a marked success it seems probable that in the near future much will be done towards tne 

 purification of certain of the Yorkshire rivers from these deleterious substances and that this 

 may be effected along with a substantial financial gain. 



Wool Preparing Processes. The efficiency of carding engines has recently been improved 

 by designing the framework to come close up to the revolving rollers, with driving wheels and 

 pulleys on the outside. This amentrrange is more efficient owing to the absence of varying 

 air currents towards the ends of the carding rollers. The hot-air backwasher has firmly 

 established itself in the worsted industry, humouring the wool more and producing a 

 better yield and a better "top" than that produced on the old ironing type of machine. 

 Attempts continue to be made to improve tne Noble comb, but little headway is to be 

 recorded. The attempt to place three or four small circles within the large circle has not met 

 with marked success, while mechanical dabbers to supplant the ordinary dabbing brush 

 have been tried again and again and apparently found wanting, although there is one type 

 making some headway. French combing has established itself for special types of work, 

 but for bulk lots the Noble comb is still holding its own. 



Spinning Processes. French drawing and mule spinning are claiming increased attention 

 in Yorkshire, and as a result drawers and spinners upon the ordinary English machines are 

 being forced to study and if possible extend the capacities of their machines to meet the 

 demand for soft spun yarn. A Yorkshire machine-making firm has put a useful gill box 

 (the O.P.S.) upon the market for dealing with short fibred material to advantage, and 

 various combinations of French and cone drawing-boxes are being tried in connection with 

 ring and cap spinning and twisting. 



