1909.] The Financial Aspect of Sheep-washing. 5 



should be properly cleaned, have all the dockings clipped 

 off the fleeces, and be kept as free from straws and sticks 

 as possible. . . . Many farmers in getting up their wool 

 seemed to be under the impression that they would get as 

 much for it if it was prepared for the market in a slovenly 

 manner, as they could by getting it up in a workmanlike and 

 careful style. This was a mistake, as farmers' wool would 

 always command a price commensurate with its condition 

 and cleanness. . . . There were many classes of our home- 

 grown wools which Americans could not buy because of the 

 slovenly way in which they were sent to the market." 



(2) "Preparation of Wool for Market" (page 241). The 

 Home Wool Buyers' Association have issued suggestions 

 to woolgrowers, among which is found: "Washing — Sheep 

 to be carefully washed and clipped within ten or twelve days 

 after washing, otherwise the wool cannot fairly be sold as 

 washed. Sheep should be properly dagged before washing, 

 as the manure not only discolours the water, but damages 

 the fleece." 



The most up-to-date and comprehensive view as to the 

 continuance or abandonment of the practice of washing in 

 the different districts of Great Britain is to be found in a 

 "Report on the Production of Wool in Great Britain in 

 1905 and 1906," by Mr. R. H. Rew, published by the Board 

 of Agriculture and Fisheries. This report ought to be in 

 the hands of all flockmasters, as much valuable information 

 is given in it. From that report it is possible to arrange 

 Great Britain into three well-defined areas, where : (a) 

 "Washing is generally practised " ; (h) "About half the wool 

 is washed " ; (c) "Washing little done or not at all." 



(a) Washing Generally Practised, — This district in 

 England lies north of a line drawn from Bristol to Norwich, 

 and includes the whole of the middle of England and the 

 North with the exception of Northumberland, where a large 

 number of Blackfaced sheep are found, which are unwashed. 

 The whole of Wales also falls under (a). 



(b) About half the Wool Washed. — The area where this 

 description holds good extends on either side of a line drawn 

 in a somewhat south-westerly direction from Ipswich in 

 Suffolk to Wellington in Somerset, and includes the counties 



