122 ANIMAL FIBERS 



two fifths is imported from Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, 

 and South Africa. 



When the wool has reached a sufficient length and the season 

 of the year is favorable, the sheep are caught and sheared. In some 

 cases this is done by hand and at a cost of five cents per head, but 

 in Australia and places where immense herds of sheep are main- 

 tained this work is done by machinery. After the shearing the 



Shearing sheep, Wyoming. 



wool is sorted and packed in bales for storage in the warehouse 

 and subsequent shipment. 



Grades of Wool. Wools are classified on the basis of their 

 length and strength, as: (1) clothing wools, comprising short, fine 

 wool suitable for making high-grade woolen cloth; (2) combing 

 wools, which are strong, over three inches long, used for worsted 

 goods; and (3) delaine wools, which are fine, strong wools, two to 

 three inches long, desirable for making delaine cloth. 



Products. The products of the woolen mills may be divided as 

 follows: (1) wool goods for men's suitings and dress goods for 

 ladies; (2) articles produced by worsted mills, including merinos, 

 serges, hosiery, knit goods, etc.; (3) articles produced by carpet 

 mills, such as rugs, carpets, etc.; (4) articles produced by felt mills, 

 such as felted wool used for floor coverings, for making hats, and 

 for other purposes. 



Other Animal Fibers. The hair of the Angora goat furnishes 

 a fiber from which a fine grade of mohair goods is obtained. A 



