SUMMER MANAGEMENT. 185 



ROLLIx\G THE FLEECES. 



After the shearer has performed his task, the fleeces must 

 be carefully taken from the floor, and put upon the rolling ta- 

 ble, the outside of it uppermost. The valuable loose locks 

 about the shearer's stand must all be picked up, and the use- 

 less stuff" from the legs, &c,,put into a corner, bag, or basket. 

 It should not be swept out of doors, as it possesses valuable 

 properties for manure. 



The roller then proceeds to spread out the fleece, which 

 cannot be too carefully done, separates the ragged portions 

 from the skirts and head, and then makes it as compact as 

 possible by pushing from all sides towards the centre. The 

 loose wool is then thrown upon the fleece, which is followed 

 by turning over the sides and ends so as to form an oblong 

 stripe, say about two or three feet long, and one and a half w^ide, 

 which is moved to the front edge of the table. He then com- 

 mences to roll the long side of the stripe, aided by a boy at 

 the other end of it, who lay their arms flat from the elbow to 

 press the wool as the rolling proceeds, till the stripe is re- 

 duced to six or nine inches in width, depending on the size 

 of the fleece. The boy then mounts upon the table, and each 

 commences rolling from the ends of the stripe till the parts 

 meet, when the boy rolls his portion on top of his assistant's, 

 firmly pressing it till the twine is passed round both ways and 

 tied, which effectually secures the fleece, no matter how 

 roughly handled. After it receives a slight pressure, it pre- 

 sents somewhat the form of a cheese. 



There are other modes of putting up fleeces, performed 

 without any aid ; but the writer has yet to see that individ- 

 ual who alone can roll a fleece as firm and solid as it should 

 be, at the same time giving it a symmetrical and attractive form. 

 If it is loosely rolled, the quantity of canvass used for pack- 

 ing is necessarily much increased ; and this item of extra 

 expense is more than equivalent to the services of a lad as an 

 assistant. 



ARRANGEMENT OF WOOL FOR SALE, ETC. 



The slovenly manner in which wool is rolled and after- 

 wards prepared for exhibition to the buyer, deserves a pass- 

 ing remark. 



The wool-grower should keep before him the motto of 

 IG* 



