80 THE WOOL INDUSTEY. 



carding wools this is not so objectionable; in combing wools the 

 floss is thrown out, and becomes waste. This defect is also 

 hereditary. Sheep so affected should not be bred from. 



6. BEOAD-TOPPED WOOL is a very serious defect. 

 It consists of an interlacing of the fibres, which are split, the 

 top appearing even; but the surface is divided into broad masses, 

 or, as they are commonly termed, "tops," and on endeavoring to 

 part the wool, it will be found felted together, tearing apart with 

 difiiculty. Broad-topped wool is dead, deficient in yolk, break- 

 ing off in the process of manufacture, causing a very great loss of 

 material. This affection is also hereditary, and should preclude 

 the animal from breeding. 



Y. BREAK IN WOOL renders the fleece worthless 

 as far as combing is concerned, and no matter how fine the staple 

 may be as regards quality it can only be used to manufacture 

 the class of goods which are made from inferior wool. A 

 breachy staple when stretched out for examination will be found 

 to part with great ease down the middle or in some other part, 

 showing a weak place in the wool. On examining the fibres 

 microscopically at this spot they will be foiind of a dead, stripy 

 appearance. This defect being present in the staple, makes it 

 impossible to sort, and causes the entire fleece to be classed as in- 

 ferior in quality. This is a common defect, and is generally due 

 to mismanagement in feeding or exposure or any other cause 

 affecting the condition or health of the sheep. The weak spot 

 in the fibre is carried forward as the wool grows. If the cause 

 is removed, however, the wool may regain its normal condition. 

 To avoid this trouble the flock should be fed and watered regu- 

 larly, and shielded from undue exposure, as a check. for a short 

 time is a frequent cause of this serious trouble. 



Another cause, and the most general one for break in the 

 wool, is the use of caustic solutions in sheep dips, especially the 



