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 
