88 EUROPEAN SHEEP. 



generally well proportioned. Indeed, specimens may be se- 

 lected from the best flocks which rival in symmetry of form 

 any sheep in the world. Compared with other breeds, they 

 are small, and consequently their fleeces are proportionally 

 light ; but being comparatively free from gum, is one of the 

 prominent causes. The average weight of the ewe fleeces 

 is from 1 1-2 to 2 1-2 lbs., and full-grown wethers and rams 

 from 2 1-2 to 4 lbs. The finest and purest flocks yield 

 heavier fleeces than those engrafted on common stock. 



Extraordinary care is observed in washing the sheep be- 

 fore shearing (another cause of the fleeces weighing light), 

 which is manifested by the little waste when subjected to 

 the manufacturer's process of cleansing.* 



The shearing is conducted in the most skilful manner, 

 each shearer, generally, being limited as to the number 

 of fleeces he is to clip per day, in order to ensure a greater 

 degree of care in his work. Thus, the skins of the sheep 

 are not mangled as in our country, and otherwise presenting 

 a slovenly appearance, from unevenness of the clippings. 



After the shearing season is past, the wool is bought of 

 the small proprietors by agents of wool merchants, and 

 transported to Hamburg, Breslau, and Leipsic, where it is 

 sorted, and resold for exportation and home manufacture. 

 The annual wool Fairs of Leipsic are wonders in their way, 

 millions of pounds often exchanging hands in a single day. 

 The large proprietors of pure flocks efl'ect their sales by 

 samples, subject to sorting, which is an art nowhere better 

 understood than in Germany. The fleeces of the same 

 quality are opened and spread flat against each other, when 

 packing, and each bale is made to contain from 400 to 500 

 lbs. The amount of German wools (which includes Prus- 

 sian, Saxon, and Austrian) annually exported is enormous, 

 England receiving annually from 20 to 30,000,000 lbs. ; 

 the amount taken by France is also many millions of 

 pounds. 



Few Americans are aware of the superiority of German 

 woollen fabrics, as, from the great pains, and therefore ex- 

 pense involved, in their manufacture, few specimens com- 

 paratively reach our shores. The Germans make no haste 

 in doing anything, but all their performances are conducted 

 with skill, and with an eye to durability ; and thus German 



* See Summer Management — article Washing. 



