Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 295 



long without stretching, while clothing wools are all under that length. 

 It will be noticed that much the same names are given to the grades 

 within each class. The term "staple" as applied to territory wools 

 means the same as the term "combing wool." 



If a Merino sheep east of the Missouri river grows a fleece that 

 measures at least 2^/^ inches long without stretching, it grades as 

 Delaine on the wool market. The same sheep west of the river grows 



Fig. 110. — Grades of combing wool. Fine combing at left and half-blood 

 combing at right. 



a fleece that grades as Fine Staple or Fine Medium Staple. The Fine 

 Staple or Fine Medium Staple fleece has a greater shrinkage than the 

 Delaine fleece. This is the main distinction between the two. When 

 scoured, the wools have much the same value. The eastern wool may 

 be somewhat stronger, but in a general way the wool is the same in 

 both fleeces. 



If a Merino sheep in the East grows a fleece less than 23^ inches 

 long, it grades as XX or X, or as Fine Unwashed. Market usage has 



