520 Transactions of the American Institute. 



the manufacture. The cloth was superior to what undressed wool 

 could have made if equally fine ; was remarkably soft to the touch, the 

 appearance of thread being nearly lost in a firm, even texture, covered 

 with a soft, full nap." 



The additional value, then, the yolk imparts to the wool, affords a 

 useful lesson to the wool-grower to take such care of his sheep as will 

 best supply the needed quantity. Equability of temperature being 

 one requisite, he should protect his flocks during the winter season ; 

 and good condition being another, wholesome and nutritious food 

 should not be spared. 



Form of the Fiber. 

 The fiber of the wool is circular, differing materially in diameter in 

 the various breeds, and also in different parts of the same fleece. It is 

 generally longer toward the point and also near the root, in some 

 instances very considerably so. Mr. Youatt's description cannot be 

 simplified or improved : " The fibers of white wool, when cleansed 

 from grease, are semi-transparent; their surface in some places is 

 beautifully polished, in others curiousl}' - incrusted, and they reflect 

 the rays of light in a very pleasing manner. When viewed by the 

 aid of a powerful achromatic microscope, the central part of the fiber 

 lias a singularly glittering appearance. Very irregularly placed 

 minuter filaments are sometimes seen branching from the trunk, like 

 boughs from the main stem. The exterior polish varies much in 

 different wools, and in wools from the same breed of sheep at different 

 times. When the animal is in good condition, and the fleece healthy, 

 the appearance of the fiber is really brilliant ; but when the sheep 

 is half starved, the wool seems to sympathize with the state of the 

 constitution, and either a wan, pale light, or sometimes scarcely any, 

 is reflected." His closing jmragraph is especially true. The wool 

 of half-starved sheep can be detected at a glance by the wool-stapler 

 and experienced buyer, and its consequent deterioration affects the 

 price. The fiber of such wool is finer, it is true, but numberless 

 breaches injure every manufacture for which it is used. This is 

 another illustration of the bad policy of farmers in neglecting to 

 keep their sheep in uniform good condition. Healthy sheep will pro- 

 duce healthy wool, both being always the most valuable, and conse- 

 quently paying the largest dividends. 



Elasticity. 

 A writer observes: "There are two antagonistic principles contin- 

 ually at work in every part of the frame of every animal, and it is 



