Wool 223 



Wool from a sheep that has been sick or is unsound 

 from any other cause can be seen to have a less close 

 crimp in the part of the fiber that is weak. In 

 stretching locks of such unsound wool, it will be found 

 that they always break at the same place. 



Shrinkage of wool. — As a rule, the finer the wool, 

 the heavier the oil. Some wools shrink as much as 

 sixty per cent when scoured, while lighter, open fieeces 

 may not lose over thirty per cent. 



The table on the following pages from Michigan 

 Bulletin No. 178 shows weights, shrinkages, and 

 market grades of fleeces from sheep of various 

 breeds. 



Market grades. — The table (pp. 224-225) does not 

 mean that the wool from a particular breed of sheep 

 is always given the same grade upon the market. 

 The wool trade has no regard for breed, and grades 

 wools upon the basis of length, fineness, quality, and 

 condition. Condition in this case includes oil, sound- 

 ness, freedom from foreign matter, and way of tying 

 and packing. The following list of prices includes 

 the various classes and grades quoted on the Boston 

 market : — 



Ohio and Pennsylvania Fleeces 



