SOMETHINO ABOUT WOOL 



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the right side, removing the fleece from the neck and body 

 in proper order. If the job is well done, the shearer will 

 take off his fleece, like a blanket, and spread it out as a con- 

 nected whole, the inner part down, the locks together. The 

 sides of the fleece are then turned in toward the center, and 

 commencing with the head wool, the entire fleece is rolled 

 up to make a neat bundle, which is tied together with stand- 

 ard wool twine, no more than is necessary, just two to four 

 times around. 



Figure 14U. — Shearing with hand machines at the Ohio State University. 

 Photograph by the author. 



Some important rules in shearing must be followed, if 

 the work is to be done right and superior wool placed on the 

 market. The author will assume that the fleece is clean 

 and free of dirt, chaff, and burrs. 



(1) Shear on a level, smooth floor that may be kept clean. 



(2) Cut the wool as close to the body as possible, using the 

 shears but once in the same place. A second cut produces 

 short fiber, which injures the selling value of the fleece. 



(3) Never pull the wool or push it back with the left 

 hand while shearing, as the skin is thus elevated and is quite 

 likely to be cut. 



