FOB MUTTON AND WOOL 115 



in regard to this, the examiner must follow the best 

 method of examination and also know in detail the mar- 

 ket requirements for wool. 



164. Examining the Fleece. In examining and valu- 

 ing the fleece the chief points to consider are the quantity, 

 quality and the condition. In grouping the qualities 

 under these three divisions we can include the interests 

 of those directly concerned on the various products com- 

 ing from sheep, on the market. The best method of ar- 

 riving at the nature of a fleece is to open it first just over 

 the shoulder. It is in this region that the finest and the 

 soundest wool of the fleece is found. By using the hands 

 in a flat position instead of sticking the end of the fingers 

 into the wool the fleece may be parted in a more satis- 

 factory manner. After looking at the wool and skin in 

 this region, the thigh should be the next place of examina 

 tion, for here grows the poorest and coarsest wool of the 

 whole fleece. Then the covering of the wool on the belly 

 also demands notice, for very often sheep are quite poor 

 in this region, making the wool light and indicating a 

 lack of constitution. By examining the fleece in these 

 three parts a fair estimate may be made of its qualities. 



165. Quantity of Fleece. The chief factors which de- 

 termine the quantity are the length, density and evenness 

 of both of these over all parts. 



166. Density. The density of the fleece means the 

 closeness of the fibers. Technically it means the number 

 of fibers that grow on a square inch. Density is not only 

 of value to secure a heavy fleece, but from a breeder's 

 point of view its chief importance lies in the fact that it 

 is more protection to the sheep than a fleece that is open. 

 Not only is a sheep with a loose open fleece more liable 

 to contract a cold from exposure to rain or wind, but it is 

 also more apt to yield a dirty fleece, as the loose fleece 



