igS JUDGING SWINE AND SHEEP 



radiation of heat from the surface of the body and thus 

 enables the sheep better to withstand the cold. 



The lengik of the fiber not only indicates the amount of 

 wool but also determines the use to which it will be put 

 by the manufacturers. In the making of worsted goods, a 

 long fiber is sought, while for broadcloth the manufacturer 

 seeks a shorter staple. 



The quality of wool is indicated by its soundness, purity, 

 crimp, luster, brightness, and the amount of yolk to be 

 found in it. Softness may be determined by pressing the 

 flat of the hand upon the surface of the fleece. Harshness 

 of fleece is generally due to a lack of yolk or oil in the wool. 

 Poor feeding or exposure to the weather may cause a harsh 

 fleece. Soils also have a marked influence upon the softness 

 of fleece. The effect of good care cannot be overestimated 

 in its influence upon the fleece as well as upon the. carcass 

 of the sheep. 



The soundness of the fleece depends upon the uniform 

 strength of the fibers. Fibers with weak spots in them are 

 not worth so much to the manufacturer as are uniformly 

 strong fibers. Soundness may be determined by taking a 

 small bundle of fibers from the fleece and twisting it into 

 yarn. If the fleece is sound the yarn cannot be broken. 

 Unsound fibers will break at the weak spot. Unsoundness 

 of fleece also indicates the care which the animal received. 

 A period of poor feeding or of poor health will produce a 

 weak place in the wool. 



Crimp refers to the little waves or kinks that are found 

 in wool. These kinks are caused by the flatness of the fibers. 

 Crimp distinguishes a wool fiber from a fiber of hair, which 

 has no crimp. In fine fleeces of good quality these kinks 

 are numerous and uniform in size. In coarse fleeces the 



