,-ii ' Hislory of the Author's 



1757 



1758 



Wool certainly appears to become somewhat coarser by lying very long in the 

 volk ; which, according to Vauquelin, may arise from some incipient decomposi- 

 tion. I know, however, that it may be so kept two or three years without the least 

 injury. 



In order, however, wholly to prevent this effect, and to' produce a readier and 

 more equitable sale of the wool, I have already proposed to reduce it, by washing 

 after it is shorn, either to the Spanish state, or to absolute cleanness. For this pur- 

 pose, it must be first sorted in the manner already described, after which it may be 

 cleaned in the foMowing method, which is the French improvement on the com- 

 mon process of the Spaniards, published by Gilbert. 



The perfection of washing depends a great deal on the season. If possible, it 

 ought to be done before the middle of October. After this period, the water em- 

 ployed in washing would cool too soon, and the shortness and coldness of the days 

 would make it difficult to dry the wool. 



On the evening of the day before that on which it is proposed to wash, the wool 

 is to be carefully opened, and spread, as much as possible without breaking, on 

 large hurdles, supported by trcsscls. It is then to be gently beaten with two small 

 sticks tied together, and to be well shaken, in order to separate, as far as can be, 

 though still very imperfectly, the dust and small panicles of hay, straw, &cc. which 

 may have been entangled in it. It is proper, though not mentioned by Gilbert, 

 that each sort of wool should be separately submitted to these and the following 

 operations. 



If any parts of the fleece are knotted or entangled, so as not to be easily pene- 

 trable by water, they are opened with the fingers, or, if that be ineffectual, with a 



