36 



PROPERTIES OF WOOL. 



as exhibited occasionally in choice samples of Saxon Merino 

 wool. It is said there are animals which have a wool un- 

 derneath a covering of hair, the fibre of which is less than 

 the twelve hundredth part of an inch.* 



The following cut will show the points in the pure Merino 

 and Saxon where the different qualities of wool are to be 

 found. The divisions do not always accurately correspond, 

 but Lasteyrie and Chancellor Livingston, who were both 

 familiar with pure Spanish xMerinos, agree as to their general 

 truth, and the observations of the writer confirm their decision. 



It is, then, a matter to be studied by the wool-grower who 

 is desirous of propagating sheep of the fine-wooled varieties ; 

 for grades will often exhibit seven and eight qualities in the 

 same fleece, whereas it will be seen that unalloyed breeds 

 show but four qualities. Individuals have occasionally been 

 found in original Saxon flocks whose fleeces would divide 

 into only two sorts ; but this is very rare. 





m-mm':^ mm:-M^im^ 





^ ".-^^^ -:^>^^%s«f?rf 



MERINO EWE. 



* Luccock. 



