224 



Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



the individuals within a breed. It is not expected that the mutton 

 tjrpe will produce a fiber with the high degree of fineness shown by the 

 Merinos, yet as much fineness is wanted as may be had without sacrifice 

 of weight or quantity of fleece. The crimp, or waved condition, of 

 wool furnishes an easy and accurate measure of fineness. All wool is 

 more or less crimped, and it is a fact that the finest wools are finely 

 crimped, that is, have a large number of crimps per inch, while the 

 coarsest wools are almost devoid of crimp, being lashy or broadly waved. 

 The crimp of the medium-wool fleece should be fine, pronounced, and 

 uniform from skin to tip of fiber. A single fleece yields several sorts 



Fig. 74. — An International grand champion. Southdown wether bred, fed, 

 and exhibited by Robert McEwen, London, Ont., Can., grand champion at the 1922 

 International. This wether was remarkably good in firmness, evenness, and thick- 

 ness of flesh, being a great "handler." The photograph shows him to be very good 

 also in form and quality. 



of wool, differing considerably in fineness. The finest wool grows on 

 the belly, shoulders, and back; that next in fineness, on the neck, breast, 

 and along the sides, while the coarsest wool is found on the thighs and 

 lower parts of the legs. 



Wool that has softness, yet is firm and elastic, is far more valuable 

 than that which is dry, stiff, and harsh. On the other hand, mushy 

 wool having a soft, lifeless feel with no recoil when handled is very 

 often lacking in strength. Softness depends upon fineness of fiber and 



