SHEARING. 



287 



restless than on a flat floor. It is also more under the con- 

 trol of the s'hearer, who by slipping a strap over the neck 



holds the sheep better and 

 without struggling, as it may 

 otherwise. When the fleeces 

 are removed from the sheep 

 they are folded by turning 

 over the sides and rolling them 

 into a compact bundle (fig. 37) 

 which is tied at each end 

 with soft wool twine. They are 

 then ready for storing or for 

 selling. If stored they should 

 not be kept in too dry a place. 



FIG. 35. Tagging Bench. 



or they will have a harsh feeling when the buyer comes 

 around, or they are sent for sale. A shaded shed is a good 

 place to keep them in, in which they will not dry out too 

 much. A moderate degree of dampness is requisite to pre- 

 serve the softness of the wool, and its elasticity and strength 

 of fiber. It has been found, that by over dryness, wool will 



FIG. 36. Shearing Bench. 



lose one-fourth of its strength, just as a sliver of elastic woo;l 

 will become hard and brittle by overdrying. The moisture 

 natural to the wool is to be preserved while it is in storage. 



A few words might be said just here in regard to a rep- 

 rehensible practice of shearing, the intention of which is to 

 disguise the form of the sheep and give to it false and de- 

 ceptive appearance by which judges at the exhibitions may be 

 induced to estimate the animals so disguised above their real 

 character. It consists in leaving the fleece, at the shearing 



