524 Transactions of the American Institute. 



Color. 



The alteration of the color was the first recorded improvement of the 

 sheep, and its purity, its perfect whiteness, should never be lost sight 

 of by the sheep-master of the present day. It is not, however, so 

 much considered as it should be. Manufacturers desire none other 

 fine wools than those of the purest whiteness, for the reason that those 

 of a black or dnm-colored hue do not receive a perfect fancy dye, and 

 therefore can be converted only into black cloths ; hence, they are 

 valued accordingly. Flock-masters should never breed from indi- 

 viduals that are otherwise than purely white, for, independent of the 

 above consideration, black or smutty sheep mar the appearance of a 

 flock. 



Triteness. 

 The quality of the trueness of the staple especially enhances the 

 value of every grade of wool in which it is found. It comprises an 

 equality of the diameter of the fiber from the root to the point, and 

 uniformity of the fleece generally. "When the filament greatly lacks 

 in this particular, it may be ascribed to an irregular and unhealthy 

 action of the secretion of wool, which in turn must be attributed in 

 general to abuses in management of the flock. For instance, if the 

 animal has fared kindly till the winter season, and then exposed to 

 storms and cold, and withal ill-fed, the growth of that part of the fiber 

 during this period will be considerably diminished in diameter, pro- 

 portionately weak, and when examined by the microscope presents a 

 withered appearance. On being turned to pasture — the fare being 

 better and the secretions again becoming healthy and abundant — an 

 enlargement of the fiber follows ; but it is greatly destitute, from the 

 causes stated, of the quality of trueness, and, therefore, debases the 

 value of the whole fleece. The weak and withered parts of the fiber 

 are termed breaches, and injure materially every manufacture in 

 which it is employed, the felting property being deteriorated, and the 

 fabric having less strength and softness. The skillful stapler and 

 wool buyer will easily detect this serious fault and prize the wool 

 accordingly. Although this description of wool is generally, as 

 remarked, the result of bad management of the flock, yet it is com- 

 mon to all good sheep. With the Saxon and Merino, after the ewes, 

 particularly, pass the age of eight or nine years, the yolk lessens in 

 quantity, which is followed by comparatively a hard, inelastic, unyield- 

 ing character of the wool, with the strength and weight greatly dimin- 

 ished. Therefore, notwithstanding the singular longevity of these 



