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SHEEP—UNITED STATES, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA. 11 
for the locality on which they are depastured. But on account of the varying 
conditions met with throughout Australia, such as difference in country, climate, 
ete., aS was stated in an earlier portion of this chapter, no definite type can be 
suggested for each locality; still, taking for granted that the object of the 
wool grower is to keep sheep which will yield most money per head, and not 
sheep the wool of which simply realizes fancy prices per pound, some authori- 
ties maintain that, in most localities at any rate, financial advantage would 
be gained by the keeping of a more robust type of sheep than is generally 
found to-day. Whether such authorities be correct or not, it is a fact that the 
trend of wool is fast developing in the direction of a little more robustness or 
strength. 
In proof of this some of the best known fine-wool growers in Australia, who 
have for years past obtained amongst the highest prices for their wool, are 
purchasing rams from well-known robust-wooled flocks, in which, for a con- 
siderable time, great attention has been paid to this type of wool, with the 
most satisfactory results. 
It would be folly to suggest that the robust-wooled sheep, such as are found 
in South Australia, would be entirely suitable for every locality in Australia; 
still, a strain of stronger blood in most of the fine-wooled sheep would perhaps 
be of advantage. 7 
In the drier or more arid parts, such as the Barrier district of New South 
Wales, the north of South Australia, and other similar localities, experience has 
proved that it is impossible to keep fine-wooled sheep with anything like the 
most satisfactory results. This type of sheep (if greasy) is much inclined 
to sweat, and the skin is tco thin to withstand the severe punishment which 
is met with in such localities. 
The hair follicles or bulbs on the surface of the skin are very susceptible to 
the withering effects of the climatic conditions met with there, and the some- 
what tender or delicate fiber can not endure the hardships which are so com- 
mon under such conditions. 
All this will have more weight when it is remembered that wool has a tend- 
ency to become finer, and in the hotter and drier parts, should it be fine to 
start with, it generally goes “off” and becomes loose and open (particularly 
on the back), with the result that the dust and sand, which are so prevalent 
there, find their way right on to the very skin of the sheep, causing more or less 
injury to the fiber. 
Further, on account of the excessive openness, the heat of the sun much more 
easily operates upon the wool, extracting from it the yolk, which is the very 
life of it, thereby leaving it tender, mushy, and lifeless. 
On the other hand the robust or stronger-wooled sheep is eminently fitted to 
endure the hardships met with under such conditions, the skin being thicker 
and less inclined to sweat, the hair follicles or bulbs less susceptible to climatic 
effects, and the fiber stronger and hardier. 
Again, the wool being strong to start with, will not so readily “ go off” 
and become loose and open as the fine and delicate wool would, thus making it 
more able to withstand the ravages of the sand, dust, and sun. 
At one time it was objected that strong-wooled sheep of the robust type, on 
being taken to the drier parts, produced wool which became coarser, in fact, 
which developed into hair, and it has to be admitted that there was much truth 
in the objection; but the nonsuccess lay in the fact that the wrong type of 
robust-wooled sheep was taken up to these parts, and not that the robust sheep 
in itself was at fault. 
The failures were, generally speaking, caused by the use of rams of nonde- 
seript type without any character in their wool, whereas, what is required and 
