306 MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF SHEEP 



the outside upward. The two sides are then folded back so 

 that they will meet in the center. The fleece is then rolled 

 toward the neck as compactly as this can be done by hand. 

 Then tie carefully with wool twine, using two or three 

 strings. Twine that is heavier than is necessary is 

 frowned upon by the buyers, and justly so, as they get no 

 equivalent for the twine. 



The wool from large flocks may be prepared for the 

 packing as follows : The fleece is spread on a table of suit- 

 able height, and wool at the neck, tail and flanks is turned 

 inwards, the sides meeting in the center, or even overlapping 

 in some instances. It is then rolled into a neat roll and 

 tied. The tying is much facilitated by placing the fleece 

 in a box, sometimes made with hinged sides and ends. 

 The strings used in tying are first put in place. Narrow 

 saw cuts in the upper edges of the ends of the box aid in 

 holding them in place until used. When folded and tied, 

 the fleece should be neat, smooth and firm, and in shape 

 resembling a lady's muff. 



When the market is not distant, the wool may be 

 carried by conveyance, as in a wagon box or on a hay 

 rack; otherwise it should be sacked. If not sacked at 

 once, it should be stored in a wool room, proof against 

 the ingress of rats or mice. For convenience in sacking 

 it is preferably stored where there is room underneath 

 for suspending the sacks. If stored on shelves easily 

 accessible, the buyer can inspect it readily and with but 

 little disturbance to the wool. The fact should not be 

 overlooked that wool when stored will lose from one 

 to three per cent of its weight, according to the method 

 and time of storage and to the amount of the yolk. 



When sacking the wool the sack should be suspended 

 underneath a trap door. When a few fleeces have been 

 thrown in, a man descends and arranges them, and as 

 they are handed down one by one, they are systematically 

 placed in layers and the foot is put on the last fleece laid 

 in place. When the sack is full it is raised with a lever 



