Wool Production 235 



returns on the wool are enough to more than pay for the 

 additional cost. 



The method of packing wool in the Australian shearing 

 shed is more complex than either of the two preceding 

 methods. In such a shed the fleeces after being shorn are 

 skirted, classed, cooled, and baled. In every operation the 

 object is to lower the shrinkage percentage and to get the 

 fleece to the manufacturer in the best possible condition. 

 Since the Australian shearing shed is new in this country, 

 a more or less detailed discussion of this method will be 

 given. 



Australian shearing shed. 



The shed is a well-constructed, well-lighted and well- 

 ventilated building in which every possible precaution is 

 taken for the welfare of the fleece, the sheep, and the 

 shearer. The shed is usually built on sloping ground so 

 the floors of the sweating pens, filling race, and catching 

 pens are sufficiently high from the ground to permit the 

 shorn sheep to pass through chutes underneath to the 

 counting or tally pens, which are outside the building. 

 The shed, as indicated by the diagram on the floor plan 

 (Fig. 28), is divided into the following parts : the sweating 

 pens, the filling race, the catching pens, the shearing board, 

 the skirting and classing stands, and the wool room. The 

 floors of the sweating pens, filling race, and catching pens 

 are made of two by fours set on edge with a space between 

 so that urine and droppings will fall through. This fea- 

 ture prevents the soiling of fleeces in case the sheep lie 

 down. The walls, panels, and gates are made of dressed 

 lumber to prevent the tearing of the fleeces. The con- 

 struction of the sweating pen is such that the temperature 

 can be regulated by ventilation. This part of the shed 



