THE CULTIVATOR. 
95 
PHILOSOPHY OF WOOL .—No. II. 
YOLK. 
Messrs. Editors— This peculiar substance is so call¬ 
ed abroad, from its adhesiveness and color; but ivith us 
it is termed gum, an appellation derived from its gluti¬ 
nous properties, quite as appropriate. It is apparent in 
the fleeces of fine wool sheep, especially the Merino, at 
all seasons of the year, but very much so in the winter 
and spring; and although diffused through the whole 
fleece, yet such is its profusion in the Merino, that it is 
observable in detached concrete particles, resembling 
ear wax. According to the chemical analysis of Van- 
quelin, it consists principally of a soapy matter, with a 
basis of potash; a small quantity of carbonate of potash; a 
small quantity of acetate of potash; lime in an unknown 
state of combination; and an atom of muriate of potash. Its 
peculiar odor, w r ell known to those familiar with the 
fleeces of Saxon and Merino, is derived from the infu¬ 
sion of a small quantity of animal oil, and is in every re¬ 
spect a true soap, which would permit of the fleece be¬ 
ing thoroughly cleansed by the ordinary mode of wash¬ 
ing, were it not for the existence of this uncombined fat¬ 
ty or oily matter, which remains attached to the wool, 
and rendering it glutinous, until subjected to the process 
of scouring by the manufacturer. 
There is a diversity of opinion as to the uses of the 
yolk or gum; while very many through ignorance, ima¬ 
gine it a detriment to the wool, which, however, is a 
decided mistake. It is a peculiar secretion from the 
glands of the skin, acting as one of the agents in promo¬ 
ting the growth of the wool, and by its adhesiveness, 
matting it, and thereby forming a defence from the in¬ 
clemency of the weather. From accurate observation, 
it has been ascertained beyond doubt, that a deficiency 
of yolk will cause the fibre to be dry, harsh and weak, 
and the whole fleece becomes thin and hairy; on the 
contrary, when there is a natural supply, the wool is soft, 
plentiful and strong. The quantity is depending on 
equability of temperature, the health of the sheep, and 
the proportion of nutritive food it receives. 
Although it is found in some degree in the fleeces of 
every variety of sheep, such is its excess in the Merino 
tfhat it causes dirt to collect on the surface to such a de¬ 
gree as to form an indurated crust, with a hue resembling 
the thunder cloud. This excess, although as already 
remarked, no way injurious to the fibre, yet in one 
sense it is so to the manufacturer, from the uncer¬ 
tainty as to the amount of loss sustained by cleansing. 
Hence it is that the European manufacturer refuses to 
purchase the Spanish Merino wools, without being tho¬ 
roughly washed with soap, which is performed after the 
fleece is shorn, and even then the wool shrinks by the 
manufacturer's mode of washing, generally about 10 per 
oent. It is from this cause too, that the American manu¬ 
facturer, from increasing competition, has latterly be¬ 
come more cautious in his purchase of home Merino 
wool, the redundancy of glutinous matter and its una¬ 
voidable attendant, dirt, causing so large a proportion of 
the weight of the fleece. 
It has been observed that temperature has an influence 
in determining the quantity of yolk; hence, the equable 
and mild climate of Spain is favorable to its production; 
and although the Escurial Merino is the parent stock of 
the Saxon, (the Escurial possessing it in a less degree 
than the Paular and other varieties, yet from the oppo¬ 
site character of the climate of Spain and Saxony, it is 
found in a diminished quantity in the Saxony wool. This 
breed, however, when kept in fair condition, has the re¬ 
quisite supply to give additional softness, pliability and 
strength to the fibre, without subjecting the manufactu¬ 
rer to the same degree of uncertainty as to loss from 
cleansing, the dirt collecting much less on the surface 
than with the Merino. 
On the authority of Mr. Youatt, the wools of several 
breeds of sheep in the south part of the kingdom abound 
in yolk in great abundance, so that a fleece, unwashed 
on the back, will lose one-half of its weight by thorough 
scouring. A deficiency of this substance is perceptible 
as progress is made northward; and in Northumberland 
and Scotland, it is not uncommon for the farmer to sup¬ 
ply its loss by means of smearing the sheep, immediately 
after shearing, with a mixt^-e of tar and oil or buttei. 
To confirm the propriety of this, which will also afford 
additional testimony of the virtues of yolk, I will quote 
a recorded fact from Mr. Bakewell, the distinguished 
sheep breeder. “ An intelligent manufacturer in my 
neighborhood, who kept a small flock of good wooled 
sheep, informed me be had adopted the practice of rub¬ 
bing the sheep with a mixture of butter and tar. He 
could speak decidedly to the improvement the wool had 
received by it, having superintended the whole process 
of the manufacture. The cloth was superior to what 
ungreased wool could have made, if equally fine; it was 
remarkably soft to the touch, and had a “ good hand and 
feel,” the appearance of the threads being nearly lost in 
a firm even texture, covered with a soft full nap.” 
The additional value, then, the yolk imparts to the 
wool, affords a useful lesson to the wool grower, to take 
such care of his sheep as will best supply the needful 
quantity. Equability of temperature being one requisite, 
he should protect his flocks during the winter season; 
and good condition being another, wholesome and nu¬ 
tritious food should not be spared. 
FOR 31 OF THE FIBRE. 
The fibre of wool is circular, differing materially in 
diameter in the various breeds, and also in different parts 
of the same place. It is generally larger towards the 
point and also near the root, and in some instances very 
considerably so. Mr. Youatt's description cannot be 
simplified or improved. “ The fibres of white wool, 
when cleansed from grease, are semi-transparent; their 
surface in some places is beautifully polished, in others 
curiously encrusted, and they reflect the rays of light in 
a very pleasing manner. When viewed by the aid of a 
powerful achromatic microscope, the central port of the 
fibre has a singularly glittering appearance. Very irre¬ 
gularly placed minuter filaments are sometimes seen 
branching from the main trunk like boughs from the 
principal stem. This exterior polish varies much in 
different wools, and in wools from the same breed of 
sheep at different times. When the animal is in good 
condition and the fleece healthy, the appearance of the 
fibre is really brilliant, but when the sheep has been 
half starved, the wool seems to have sympathized with 
the state of the constitution, and either a wan, pale light, 
or sometimes scarcely any, is reflected.” 
His closing paragraph is especially true. The wool 
of half starved sheep can be detected without any diffi¬ 
culty by the wool stapler and experienced buyer, and its 
consequent deterioration affects the price. The fibre of 
such wool is finer, it is true; but the numberless breaches 
injure every manufacture for which it is used. This is ano¬ 
ther illustration of the bad policy of farmers in neglect¬ 
ing to keep their sheep in uniform good condition. 
Healthy sheep will produce healthy wool, both being 
always the most valuable, and consequently paying the 
largest dividends. 
Elasticity and special curve of the fibre will be noticed 
in the next chapter. L. A. Morrell. 
Lake Ridge, Tompkins co., N. Y., Jan. 28, 1844. 
SPECULATIVE HOBBIES. 
Messrs. Editors— In reading an article in the Lon¬ 
don Farmers’ Journal, I was struck with fne following 
expressions, which, though designed for the meridian of 
England, “will answer,” (as old Nath. Low used to say 
of his almanacs,) for America: 
“ How careful’ought gentlemen to be who canter their 
speculative e hobbies’ after pleasurable pursuits, that they 
do not instigate others to gallop after phantoms that only 
allure them into fatal mistakes. Reprehensible too, is 
the tnan who ventures to recommend plans for public 
adoption of which he has not made full proof from oft 
repeated experiments.” 
Would it not be well if these principles were a little 
more attended to in this country? Jonathan. 
Large Steer —Mr. Rufus Lyman, Colbrook, Conn., 
killed a half Durham two-year-old steer, in January last, 
that weighed 898 pounds. 
