W E S T D E V O N S HI R E. 269 



Sheep, throughout Cornwall, and in the 

 Weftern Half oF Devonfhire, is that of 



OMITTING TO WASH THEM, PREVIOUS 

 TO THE SHEARING ! 



This pradice, like many other pradlices 

 in hufbandry, has its advantages and difad- 

 vantages. In this cafe, the wool weighs 

 heavier ; but the price is lower, for " v/ool 

 in the yolk," than it is for wailied wool; 

 fo that it probably makes little for or againll 

 the grower 5 and, to the manufadurers, 

 though it may require fome what more labor 

 in cleaning, there is a faving of foap, which 

 more than makes up the lofs of labor. 

 Wool which has been wailied on the Sheep's 

 hack, requires foap, to cleanfe it properly 

 for manufacture ; but in unwailied wool, 

 the " yolk," or yellow egg-colored matter 

 which is lodged among it, precludes the 

 ufe of any additional detergent. Thus it 

 becomes to the manufadlurer a matter of 

 no great importance, whether Sheep be 

 wafhed or not. 



Itisobfervable, however, that wool fliorn 

 in the yolk, is liable to take a confiderable 

 degree of heat ; a circumilance which, if 



made 



