157 
Sheep Washing. 
In Scotland a rapid change of opinion is taking place. In 
analysing the catalogues of wool sold by auction at the Scotch sales, 
in the year 1862, I find only about 10 per cent, of the wool offered 
was unwashed. In 1892, on the other hand, 50 per cent, of the 
wool catalogued was in the grease. In the case of the sales of my 
own firm a similar change has taken place within the last thirty 
years. 
I am aware that many farmers hold strongly to the belief that 
sheep benefit by being washed once a year. On this point I am 
not qualified to give or express an opinion, but if this is the case, 
why not wash them after they are clipped ? They will wash much 
more easily, and the animal will be better cleansed in a short coat 
of wool than in a long one. 
Much of the so-called sheep washing to-day is a complete farce ; 
I have seen many sheep washings where the sheep are just pitched 
into a “ dub ” or stream and thrown out again. A good shower of 
rain would be more effective for wool-washing purposes. 
If by not washing sheep the flockmaster can get an average of 
3d. per fleece more for his wool, farmers’ interests in this country 
would be benefited to the extent of nearly half a million sterling per 
annum, besides the saving of time now lost in washing. Three years 
ago I read a paper, on the question of sheep washing, before the 
Penrith Farmers’ Club, and I feel I cannot do better than close this 
brief communication with the concluding remarks which I then 
used : — 
“ I have been asked very often by farmers what I would recom- 
mend them to do, and I say candidly, with my present knowledge 
of the subject, that if I was a farmer with clean grass land I would 
— speaking from the wool point of view — never wash a sheep again. 
My experience as a salesman is that unwashed wool to-day meets 
with better competition than washed wool. But in all these matters 
it is well to be cautious and careful, and to those who cannot make 
up their minds on the question I would say : If you have a fair- 
sized flock of sheep, wash one-half of the sheep well, and leave the 
other half unwashed, and you will be then able to judge for your- 
selves which is the better policy to adopt for the future. In any 
case, whether you clip your sheep washed or unwashed, see that the 
fleece is well got up. In all cases improve the breed as much as 
possible. 
“ To the fell farmers I would say there is still room for great 
improvement in the blackfaced breeds. Abolish the use of salve, 
and do not mix your dip with bad oil or tar, or anything that dis- 
colours and stains the wool. Do not wrap locks inside your fleeces 
before rolling up. All fribs and dirty pieces must be taken from the 
fleece and kept separate, as they stain and injure the wool if rolled 
up with the fleece. Also avoid the large tar mark. Cannot you mark 
your sheep on the ear or on the face ? Careful attention to these 
details will give you a better market for your wool, though I need not 
preach a sermon to you on these points, because many of the clips 
in your neighbourhood are sent to the market in first-class condition. 
