WOOL AND MUTTON 229 
7. Washing and shearing—The washing of sheep in 
creeks is entirely ineffective, and manufacturers now pay 
as good prices for unwashed as for the so-called washed 
wool. Shearing is performed once a year, as a rule, al- 
though in the southwest it is done in both spring and 
autumn. Both hand and power machines are used. On 
small farms where only a few sheep are kept the hand 
shears are commonly used, but in large flocks the clipping 
machine is economical, and on account of shortage of 
labor, indispensable. 
SHEARING SHEEP BY HAND 
8. Handling wool.—As soon as the fleece is removed, 
it should be spread on a folding box or table, the inside 
being downward. The sides of the fleece are overlapped, 
then the ends in a similar manner in the other direction. 
The fleece is folded up and tied in a neat roll, the smooth 
side of the roll only showing outward. No filth or tags 
should be rolled up with the wool. Such refuse always 
reacts against the seller. When the wool has been rolled 
up, it is next put in sacks awaiting shipment. As the 
fleeces are dropped in the sacks they are tramped down 
