[171] 



stand at about the rate of 5,000 to 6,000 fibres to the square 

 inch, while the fine Merinos require to the square inch 

 40,000 or even 48,000. To show the effects of breed upon 

 the wool by actual experiment, a coarse wooled sheep with 

 only one-twentieth of a Merino cross in it had 25,000 fibres 

 to the square inch. This shows the great importance of 

 having pure bred sheep for a certain purpose. It is said 

 that the presence of one- millionth part of the blood of a 

 coarse sheep is sufficient to reduce the fineness of the fleece 

 perceptibly. These facts are given to show the great ne- 

 cessity of having absolutely pure breeds, if wool is the prin- 

 ciple object of raising sheep. 



All over the skin of a sheep are small glands that secrete 

 a mucus called " yolk," that keeps the wool soft and prevents 

 it from felting. When the yolk is first secreted it is fluid, 

 and in some breeds it remains so. In the Merinos it be- 

 comes stiff and dry, and adheres to the wool, adding greatly 

 to its weight. This yolk is an alkaloid substance, and forms 

 a sort of soap, soluble in water. By its aid the wool can be 

 washed without soap. This yolk forms about twenty per 

 cent, of the weight of the wool. It is a great mistake, there- 

 fore, for persons to wash the wool to get a larger price, as 

 some do. Besides, by withdrawing the yolk from the wool 

 it becomes harsh and dry, and is much more liable to injure 

 by felting or tangling. In some countries this yolk is pre- 

 served in the washing, and large quantities of potash are 

 made from it. The presence of this yolk in wool is' an indi- 

 cation of its superior quality, although it may be produced 

 in such excessive quantities that it becomes a source of actual 

 loss to the manufacturer. This is a question that will be 

 settled by the wool grower and manufacturer. 



CLASSIFICATION OF WOOL. 



It is very important that persons engaging in wool grow- 

 ing should acquaint themselves with the kinds of wool cal- 

 culated to bring the highest price; but it will be found a 



