Weighing of Cattle Acts. 



529 



As tar is not dissolved in the ordinary processes of wool- 

 washing, flock-masters should endeavour in cases where its use 

 cannot be avoided to improve the methods of applying it, either 

 by making use of smaller marks or by adopting means to pre- 

 vent the tar from running. If practicable, marking on the ear 

 or face is much to be preferred. 



Methods of Tying Fleeces. 

 The fleeces should be tied up with bands made by twisting a 

 portion of the fleece itself. It is not necessary for these bands 

 to be tightly twisted, the object being merely to keep one fleece 

 separate from another. String composed of vegetable matter, 

 such as hemp, jute, &c, is bad, and ought not to be used. The 

 most careful manipulation by the manufacturer often fails to 

 detect some small pieces of string, which do not make their 

 appearance until the cloth is dyed, because vegetable matter 

 absolutely refuses to take dyes used for wool. Dress goods and 

 cloths are often damaged in this way to a very considerable 

 extent. Most farmers tie up their fleeces with wool bands, 

 and have done so for generations, except in a few western and 

 southern counties. In the latter the use of string (and frequently 

 the worst kind of string, such as reaper or binder twine) is not 

 uncommon, This use of string is unprofitable to all the parties 

 concerned. The amount of damage done is a very serious 

 matter to the manufacturer, and the district from which such 

 wool comes suffers in reputation. 



Dips. 



In the selection of dips care should be taken to use only those 

 that do not stain the wool. 



Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Acts. 

 The Board of Agriculture have recently issued the following 

 circular relating to the Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) 

 Acts, 1887 and 1891 : — 



Great Britain. 



1. The Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Acts, 1887 

 and 1 89 1, require that in or near every Market or Fair in which 

 tolls are for the time being authorized to be taken, and actually 



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