STYLE — LENGTH OF WOOL. 75 



are therefore neither so beautiful, nor so good for actual wear. 

 Pliancy and softness are so inseparably connected with the 

 other best properties of 'wool, that a thoroughly practiced 

 person can readily determine its general quality by handling 

 it in the dark. Indeed, where the quality is very high, it can 

 be detected by the first touch of the hand. It has an 

 exquisite downiness of feel which is unmistakable. 



Style. — Style means that combination of appearances 

 which indicates choice wool — Viz., fineness, clearness of color, 

 luster, regularity and distinctness of "crimp" — that curved 

 and graceful form and arrangement of the locks and fibers in 

 the sheared fleece which indicate extreme pliancy (stiff", harsh 

 wool is straighter,) and that life-like movement on handling 

 and peculiar re-adjustment of the fibers after handling which 

 is occasioned by their spiral form and exquisite elasticity. 

 Style cannot be satisfactorily described in words, but it is 

 as palpable to experienced organs, and is as indicative of 

 actual quality, as the most gross properties of wool — such as 

 lepgth, fineness, or coarseness, etc. 



I should remark that the highest style, like the highest 

 fineness, softness, etc., belongs only to the smaller and more 

 delicate families of the Merino, like the Electoral Saxon. 

 Prime American Merino wool only approximates to these 

 qualities. And ano.ther remark may not be out of place, in 

 passing. The qualities of wool, even including fineness, can 

 be more accurately determined by the natural eye than by the 

 aid of powerful magnifying glasses. 



Length. — It has already been incidentally mentioned that 

 fine wools of all lengths find an equally ready sale in our 

 markets. Those which would have been regarded as too long 

 for broadcloths when they were manufactured in this country, 

 are more desirable for delaines, shawls, etc., than shorter 

 wools. The American Merino wool, generally, I think, 

 exceeds aU other Merino wools in length. 



Mr. George Campbell, of West Westminister, Vermont, 

 who recently, (June, 1863,) started with some sheep to 

 exhibit at the World's Fair, at Hamburgh, some time before 

 his departure inclosed me specimens of the wool of the ewes 

 taken out by him. It was of about a year's growth. The 

 longest sample, lying naturally on paper without a particle of 

 stretching, measures 3|- inches in length; another measures 

 3:^^; another 3^; two of them 3; the shortest 2f. Mr, 



