FLEECE CHARACTERISTICS 



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and condition of an animal the first examination should 

 reveal the true condition and value of the fleece. 



Quality. — ^The quality of a fleece is determined by the fine- 

 ness of the fiber, the closeness of the crimp, and the softness 

 or phability of the staple. 



The fineness has reference to the size of the fiber. This is 

 very closely associated with the crimp, which should be 

 close and uniform in contradistinction to the open-spiralled 

 fleece of the long-wool breeds. A diseased or ill-fed sheep 

 usually has a very objectionable fleece because of weakness 



Fig. 158. — Method of examining the character, quality and condition 

 of the fleece. Wool should be parted at a natural opening. Fingers' should 

 be kept close together to avoid ruffling wool. 



of fiber and irregularity in the crimp. In a healthy, well- 

 fed sheep the crimp is uniform, while otherwise it is long 

 and wavy. An irregular growth is undesirable because of 

 the lack of uniform fineness and strength of fiber. If a sheep 

 remains in an unhealthy condition for any great length of 

 time, the wool retains a weak place which usually reduces the 

 value very materially. Wool with a perceptible weakness 

 goes in a class for shorter stapled wools. 



In making an examination of the quality of a fleece, the 

 fineness and closeness of crimp should be carefully deter- 

 mined as well as the condition of the fiber. The softness 



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