34 The Sheep- Scab. 



THE CLASSIFICATION OF WOOLS, AND 

 THEIR MARKETABLE VALUES. 



Mr. President and Gentlemen: In consider- 

 ing the classification, or grading, of wool, 'as it 

 is termed in the Eastern markets, let us first look 

 into the causes that led to such- classification. 



Fifty years ago, when wool growing and 

 manufacturing in the United States, as compared 

 with to-day, may be said to have been in their 

 infancy, it was the custom, among a majority of 

 the large manufacturers, to go into the country 

 about shearing time, and to purchase from the 

 farmer, either directly or through their agents, 

 enough wool to supply their mills for the entire 

 year. In so doing, they accumulated a great 

 variety of wools; among them some grades not 

 adapted to their wants, and which they were 

 obliged to sell. 



At that time, before the railroads had formed 

 so complete a network over the Western States, 

 and before every village had its newspaper with 

 daily or weekly market reports from the Eastern 



