CHARACTERISTICS OF WOOL 89 



are chiefly found on rams, and most commonly occur on 

 the face, neck, forearm, and scrotum. When thus found, 

 they are very liable to be present to some extent else- 

 where. In rams of the Merino types they sometimes 

 occur on the exposed surface of the neck folds, and less 

 frequently on the folds at the sides and hips. In Cots- 

 wold sheep and Angora goats they are of commonest 

 occurrence at the hips. The presence of these hairs in 

 the wool is highly objectionable, since in the combs and 

 cards they are equally unmanageable. They will not 

 blend with the wool fibers, and they will not take dye 

 so readily as wool. Their presence has been known to 

 reduce the value of the fleece by fully 50 per cent. Hairs 

 short and curled are the most objectionable. 



The cause of kemp or jar is not certainly understood. 

 It is most liable to occur in males, and more especially 

 among the more vigorous of these ; hence there would 

 seem to be some relation between occurrence of these 

 hairs and constitutional vigor. 



Some authorities look upon the presence of these 

 hairs as the outcome of spontaneous variation, but since 

 some breeds produce them more frequently than others, 

 it would seem reasonable to look upon them as being in 

 some way the outcome of atavic transmission. The wild, 

 coarse and frizzly character of the hairs is akin to these 

 properties found in the wool of some at least of the prim- 

 itive breeds. 



Until the cause of kemp or jar in wool is definitely un- 

 derstood, it may not be possible to entirely prevent it. 

 It is certain, however, that rams or other sheep that are 

 thus affected should not be kept for breeding. Such 

 selection, long continued, would probably eliminate the 

 evil. 



Toppiness, broad toppiness, black tops and clots in 

 wool — Toppiness in wool means unevenness and lack of 

 smoothness in the closure of the fleece, resulting from in- 

 equality in the length of the fibers. Such wool is, of 



