CROSS BREEDING FOR WOOL. 



243 



accompanying drawings, of which fig. 6 represents the 

 scales on the outside of the fiber, fig. 7 the cross section 

 of the fiber, fig. 8 the greatly magnified cross section of the 

 interior fibers with the outer scales; fig. 9 a fiber of Merino, 

 and fig. 10 one of Cotswold wool. 



The epithelial scales (fig. 6) are seen to be exceedingly 

 irregular in shape, and being laid around the wool, they 

 give the appearance to it as shown at figs. 9 and 10. In 

 the drawing of Merino wool, the longitudinal fibers which 

 are seen endwise in figs. 7 and 8 are to be seen, and in 

 fig. 10 is shown the dark pigmentary matter that is a 

 special mark of the Cotswold fleece, and which will be more 

 particularly mentioned hereafter as having a special refer- 

 ence to the detection of Cotswold blood in various cross-bred 

 sheep having more or less of this blood in them. 



FIG. 7. Cross FIG. 8. Cross sec- 

 section of fibers, tion magnified. 



Fio. 9. Fiber of 

 Merino wool. 



FIG. 10. 



The character of wools of different breeds varies greatly 

 so much so that by a careful study of them, and some prac- 

 tical experience, the breeder may gather much information 

 as to the purity of his flock, and with what breed it may 

 have been mixed. And this special characteristic of the fiber 

 is easily seen to be a most important element in this study 

 of cross-breeding, for the quality of the fleece is everything 

 to the manufacturer, and equally so to the wool grower who 

 sells his fleeces to him for what they are worth as a staple 

 for the goods made, and as well, it may be said, as to the 

 healthful and perfect growth of the staple. This is also very 

 important. At fig. 6 is shown a fiber of Southdown wool that 

 is imperfect by reason of some defect in the condition of the 



