CHAPTER V 

 CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOL 



The discussion in Chapter V treats of the following 

 phases of the various qualities and characters that per- 

 tain to wool: (i) The leading characteristics of wool; 

 (2) strength of fiber; (3) length of staple; (4) thickness 

 or density; (5) crimp or curl; (6) softness or pliancy; 

 (7) color in the staple; (8) uniformity in fleece; (9) style 

 or quality; (10) closure of fleece ; (11) felting; (12) cloud- 

 iness; (13) stripy or watery wool; (14) break or joint; 

 (15) kemp or jar; (16) toppiness, broad toppiness, black 

 top and clots; and (17) influences from environment that 

 are hurtful. The discussion of these must of necessity be 

 brief. 



Leading characteristics of wool — The more important 

 of the essential qualities in good wool are: (i) Strength 

 of fiber; (2) length of staple; (3) thickness or density; 

 (4) crimp or curl; (5) softness or pliancy; (6) color in 

 staple ; (7) uniformity in fleece ; (8) style or quality ; and 

 (9) closure of fleece. The dififerent degrees in which these 

 characters are possessed is in some instances very 

 marked. Prominent among the defects in wool are felt- 

 ing of the fleece in whole or in part, cloudiness or dis- 

 coloration, a stripy condition, break or joint, kemp or jar 

 and toppiness, broad toppiness, black top and clots. For 

 the discussion of these see p. 84. 



In addition to the defects in wool from the sources 

 named above, there are certain baneful influences which 

 result from environment that are hurtful to wool. These 

 are dwelt upon later (see p. 91). Like the defects in 

 wool enumerated above, they are all preventable where 

 the management is what it ought to be. For the discus- 

 sion of these see pp. 84-92. 



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