522 Transactions of the American Institute. 



" Those breeding pure Saxons inspect their flocks three times in 

 the year; before winter, when the selection of lambs is made, in 

 spring, and at shearing time. Each sheep is placed in its turn on a 

 kind of table, and examined carefully as to the growth, the elasticity, 

 the pliability, the brilliancy and the fineness of the wool. The latter 

 is ascertained by means of a micrometer. It being found that there 

 was an evident connection between the fineness of the fiber and the 

 number of the curves, this was more accurately noted, and the fol- 

 lowing table was constructed. The fleece was sorted in the manner 

 usual in France. The fineness of the superelecta or picklock is 

 represented by a span corresponding with the number seven on the 

 instrument." 



Curves in Diameter of 



Name. an inch. fiber. 



1. Superelecta 27 to 29 1.840 inch. 



2. Electa 24 to 23 1.735 inch. 



3. Prima 20 to 23 1.660 inch. 



4. Secunda prima 19 to 29 1.5S8 inch. 



5. Secunda 16 to 17 1.534 inch. 



6. Tertia 14 to 15 1.510 inch. 



The above table will show the necessity of more care with wool- 

 growers in breeding from such sheep only whose wool approximates 

 to the principle laid down, as it is on this curled form of wool one of 

 its most valuable uses depends. It is an agent, though not the prin- 

 cipal, in producing the phenomenon of felting. A writer says: "It 

 materially contributes to that disposition of the fibers which enables 

 them to attach and entwine themselves together ; it multiplies the 

 opportunities for this interlacing, and it increases the difficulty of 

 unraveling the felt." 



The numerous and minute curves, as observed, eminently charac- 

 teristic of the pure Saxon and Merino, will serve as a sure test, in all 

 cases, of the purity of blood, and therefore a certain and unerring 

 guide in the selection of breeding sheep. If it is rigidly adhered to, 

 the every-day attempts to dispose of grades for high-bred sheep will 

 be frustrated. 



Fineness. 



This term, when applied to wool, is wholly comparative, various 

 breeds of sheep producing wool essentially different in quality, the 

 same breeds varying much, and all breeds exhibiting qualities of wool 

 of unequal fineness ifi the same fleece. It is also sometimes the fact 

 that the extremity of the fiber, as ascertained by the micrometer, is 

 five times greater in bulk than the center and root. 



