190 TEXTILE FIBRES. 



Two sheep of the same breed, covered with the same wool, but differ- 

 ently treated, one being fed for fattening and the other in the usual way, 

 show quite a different variety of wool from the first shearing. In the 

 first place it will be longer, coarser, and will have lost its elasticity. 

 This is more noticeable in the second and third shearing. The other 

 sheep will have preserved all the original qualities of its fleece. The 

 difference being continued up to the third generation, the offspring could 

 not be recognised as coming from the same stock. 



How to Judge Wool. Merino sheep are judged for their wool by 

 their natural characteristics. An Australian expert says : " In judging 

 sheep always look at the shoulders first. Always assuming that the wool 

 to be inspected is really fine, we first examine the shoulders as a part 

 where the finest wool is to be found. 



" This we take as a standard and compare it with the wool from the 

 ribs, the thigh, the rump and shoulder parts, and the nearer the wool 

 from the various portions of the animal approaches the standard the 

 better. First we scrutinise the fineness and if the result is satisfactory 

 we pronounce the fleece in respect to fineness ' very even ' ; next we 

 scrutinise the length of the staple, and if we find that the wool on the 

 ribs, thigh, and back approximates reasonably in length to that of our 

 standard we again declare the fleece as regards length of staple 'true 

 and even.' We next satisfy ourselves as to the density of the fleece, 

 and we do this by closing the hand upon a portion of the rump and 

 loin wool, these points being Dually the thinnest and the most faulty. If 

 this again gives satisfaction we designate all the wool 'even to density.' 

 Now, to summarise these separate examinations. If the fleece is of 

 nearly equal length on shoulder, rib, and back, and density on shoulder 

 and across the loins, we conclude that we have a perfect sheep for pro- 

 ducing valuable ^wool." 



Sorting of Wool. This is the tearing off of each staple of wool 

 separately by the hand. It is generally entrusted to an expert who 

 understands the grading of wool staples. 



(A) The finest and most even drawn staples are found on the 

 shoulders and the sides of the fleece. 



(B) A staple of fairly good quality resembling that from the 

 shoulders is got from the lower part of the back. ^ 



(C) On the loin and the back of the sheep the staple is shorter and 

 of a more tender nature. 



(D) The upper parts of the legs give a wool of moderate length 

 that is often suspended in loose open locks ; it is this part that is useful 

 to the " Bur " plant by brushing off the spinose fruit and so acting as a 

 disperser of the seeds. The staple so charged with Bur fruit or leaves 



