TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 265 



Half-blood wool approaches fineness, but is not so finely 

 crimped as the fine grade. It is also somewhat longer in its class, 

 and usually shrinks less in its class. Three-eighths-blood has 

 a tendency toward the coarser wool. It is less crimped than 

 half-blood and less elastic. It also shrinks less when scoured 

 because it is less oily as a rule. Quarter-blood represents the 

 next step down the scale in fineness and crimp, with still less 



Fig. 85. Grades of Combing Wool. 



Three-eighths-blood combing at left and quarter-blood combing at right. 



shrinkage. It is longer than three-eighths-blood. Practically 

 all three-eighths-blood and quarter-blood wools are of combing 

 length. Braid wool varies from 4^ inches up to 12 or 13 inches 

 in length. Its name comes from the fact that it is particularly 

 suitable for the manufacture of braids. It is generally used, 



