26 



WOOL. 



Without felting, cloth would resemble a net, and 

 would unravel on being cut, from the fibres crossing 

 only in two directions ; but the strokes of the mill put 

 an end to this, by laying the fibres in every possible 

 direction, and so twining them one with another, as to 

 render them a coherent mass. 



(34.) Different kinds of Wool— The wool of this 

 country is divided into two great classes — long and 

 short : the former varies in length from three to eight 

 inches, and before being made into stuffs and worsted 

 goods, requires to be deprived of its felting tendencies, 

 by passing it through heated iron combs, which remove 

 the feathery parts, or serrations, and make it resemble 

 silk or cotton. 



The shorter combing wools are in general used 

 for hose, and are softer than the long combing wools. 

 Short wool is employed in the cloth manufacture, 

 and is, on that account, frequently called clothing 

 wool. It should approach in colour as much as possi- 

 ble to white, as a clear white ground is required for 

 all cloths that are to be dyed bright colours, as well 

 as for those dressed white : grey or black hairs injure 

 the fleece very much, even though few and minute, as 

 they give rise to reddish spots where the cloth is stoved. 

 Herefordshire sheep are entirely free from this defect, 

 and are, therefore, reckoned particularly valuable for 

 clothing purposes. 



(35.) Alterations induced by Crossing. — The breed 

 exercises considerable influence on the wool, some 

 sheep, as the merinos, being distinguished for the soft- 

 ness and beauty of the fleece ; while others, as some 



