40 The Sheep- Scab. 



comb; hence the term combing, as applied to 

 these grades. This process, in result, is similar 

 to the manipulation of a handful of cleansed 

 wool with an ordinary comb; the fibres are all 

 brought out, so that they lie parallel, and, when 

 twisted, form a strong, hard, and brilliant yarn. 

 On the comb will be found an accumulation 

 of the short fibres, from half an inch to one inch 

 in length, which are called noils. These noils 

 the manufacturer is obliged to sell, as they are 

 not adapted to his particular class of goods. It 

 is evident, therefore, that fleeces which are not 

 of suflScient length, or that are at all weak in 

 fibre, or that, while long enough on the shoulder 

 and back, yet run short and fribby on the belly, 

 are not suitable to the classification of delaine 

 and combing wools. 



There is still another impediment that applies 

 particularly to fine, unwashed wools, and which, 

 to a certain extent, stands in the way of their 

 being sold as fine delaine, even should they have 

 the other necessary qualifications. The bellies 

 and skirts of the blooded Merino sheep are so 



