278 THE SHEEP OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



the better. Hard water — i.e., such as contains much lime and 

 magnesia in solution — is undesirable. Climate is responsible 

 for determining the broad distinctions of wool. Thus the 

 Leicesters, when cultivated north of the Tweed, lose both in 

 quantity and quality. " North of Fife and south of the English 

 Channel," Lord Cathcart, quoting the late Mr. Torr, remarks 

 that " the quality of the wool falls off, and then becomes hair 

 or moss. The valuable fine lustre is pretty nearly confined to a 

 few degrees of latitude ; so that, space being limited, there is 

 little or no danger of wool ever glutting the market. Fine 

 lustre wool will ever bear a great value." Possibly present 

 experience might induce a somewhat modified view. At the 

 time Lord Cathcart wrote lustre wools were in demand for 

 ladies' dresses ; fashions change, and shiny goods are not now 

 in such demand. 



Whilst, therefore, the improvement artificially is limited 

 according to soil and climate, much may be done to promote 

 healthy sustained growth ; quality and quantity are not 

 synonymous terms as regards wool. It is generally considered 

 that our Long-wool has deteriorated with improved practice. 

 Abundance of food, whilst it adds weight, tends to coarseness. 

 The great Bakewell, who knew this fact, and looked upon form 

 and aptitude to feed as of most impoitance, neglected the 

 wool question altogether. The objects of the grower and 

 stapler are not necessarily identical. The former looks to 

 profit, and cares for bulk more than quality. Continual pro- 

 gress should be his watchword. Woe betide the fleece if, from 

 adverse circumstances, the animal experiences a serious check. 

 In that case the bulk of the nourishment is absorbed by the body. 

 The yolk (that invaluable nutriment which appears to feed the 

 wool) is deficient, and there; sure enough, will be found by and 

 by a tender point in the lock, which breaks easily and render* 

 the wool much less valuable. 



One word here as to the important question of washing. The 

 object of the farmer is to cleanse his wool without affecting it» 

 weight more than he can help. Yolk, which is a compound of 

 fatty acids with potash, is soluble in water, and a great portion 

 is so removed ; but if the fleece is left on the sheep for a suffi- 

 cient time fresh yolk forms, and to some extent the wool regain* 



