TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 263 



As previously explained, combing wools are at least 

 inches long without stretching, while clothing wools are all under 

 that length. It will be noticed that much the same names are 

 given to the grades within each class. The term "staple" as 

 applied to territory wools means the same as the term "combing 

 wool " 



If a Merino sheep east of the Missouri river grows a fleece 

 that measures at least 2J/ inches long without stretching, it 



Fig. 84. Grades of Combing Wool. 



Fine combing at left and half-blood combing at right. 



grades as Delaine on the wool market. The same sheep west of 

 the river grows a fleece that grades as Fine Staple or Fine Medium 

 Staple. The Fine Staple or Fine Medium Staple fleece has a 

 greater shrinkage than the Delaine fleece. This is the main 

 distinction between the two. When scoured, the wools have 

 much the same value. The eastern wool may be somewhat 

 stronger, but in a general way the wool is the same in both 

 fleeces. 



