TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 199 



with some breeds, has been to secure a more complete covering 

 of wool, and thus produce a fleece of somewhat more weight. 

 In all breeds, the under parts of the body, including the scrotum 

 of the ram, should be well wooled. 



A dense fleece is one that is compact, or has a large num- 

 ber of fibers growing on a square inch of skin. As much density 

 is desired as is possible to attain. 



The length of fiber varies greatly among the mutton breeds, 

 so that it is difficult to fix requirements for length of fleece for 



Fig. 55. Long- Wool Sheep. 



Lincoln ram, Champion at the Iowa State Fair. 

 Arnold, Galesville, Wis. 



Owned by Mr. A. W. 



the mutton type in general. However, a length of less than 

 3 inches for a year's growth should subject a mutton-type animal 

 to criticism, and if it is less than 2^ inches the wool sells at a 

 lower price per pound on the wool market, as it is then not 

 adapted to the manufacture of worsted cloth. As a rule, the 

 longest fleeces are the coarsest and most lacking in density; 

 maximums of fineness, length, and density cannot be secured in 



