174 
THE CULTIVATOR. 
meetings held in this city last winter,) made some 
good observations on this point. He showed that the 
size of the fibre varied with the condition of the sheep } 
that while the animal was fall fed, and was improving 
in condition, the fibre would be larger and stronger, and 
that when growing poor, the fibre would be smaller 
and weaker ; so that in many instances, we have seve¬ 
ral qualities in the same fibre. He took a lock of 
wool, and by twisting it from one end to the other, de¬ 
monstrated the correctness of his statement. The lock 
was composed of a certain number of fibres of equal 
length, but they formed a thread of nearly twice the size 
in some parts that it w T a§ in others. The wool had been 
taken from a sheep that was well fed in summer and 
poorly fed in winter. Mr. B. said he had frequently seen 
flocks that were well kept for a few months after shear¬ 
ing and then run down and kept poor till they were 
sheared again. The fibre at the lower end was weak 
and tender, and the fleece was greatly lessened in va¬ 
lue. But u when the condition of the sheep is good, 
and they continue vigorous and healthy during the 
Whole of the year, the fibre of the fleece will he free 
and uniform in quality, and the fleece heavier and more 
valuable than when they are alternately changing from 
a high to a low state of flesh.’ 7 
If fine wool is the object, however, the sheep should 
not be too highly fed, as actual fatness induces the pro¬ 
duction of a gross fibre. The aim should be to keep 
the animal at all times in a natural and healthy condi¬ 
tion. 
Nature and uses or Yolk.— -It is well known that 
the manufacturer desires to purchase his wool as free 
as possible from any other substances. Whatever may 
be the effect of yolk on the growth or quality of 
the fleece, the buyer does not want to pay for anything 
but wool, and of course makes a deduction from the 
price equal to what he supposes to be the weight of- 
extraneous matters. 
It has formerly been the custom in some sections, to 
breed a description of sheep, the fleeces of which were 
loaded to an extraordinary degree with animal matter; 
but the objection of the manfacturer to purchase this 
substance, has lately caused many wool-growers to pre¬ 
fer sheep which secrete but little yolk, and we think 
there is now some liability of the fashion running into 
an extreme in this direction. 
The circumstance of the manufacturer not wishing 
to purchase yolk, is no proof that it is not necessary 
and useful for the production of wool. Take, for ex¬ 
ample, two fleeces of wool of equal fineness and quali¬ 
ty, one of which,,while it was on the sheep’s body had 
a plentiful supply of this natural oil, and the other 
was destitute of it; which of the samples would really 
be most valuable per pound? Which would make the 
strongest and most durable cloth? No one can doubt 
that the latter would be altogether preferable for the 
purposes of wear, though perhaps this important point 
might not always receive its due weight with the ma¬ 
nufacturer. In some instances he may pay more re¬ 
gard to those qualities in wool which will enable him 
to give his goods a handsome “ finish,” and to make 
the most yards from a given number of pounds. But 
we presume it will not be denied that light, dry wools 
have less strength than those which, while growing, 
are better supplied with yolk. Mr. Youatt, in his 
treatise on sheep and wool, says:—“Where there is a 
deficiency of yolk, the fibre of the wool is dry, and 
harsh and weak; * * * where the natural [requisite] 
quantity of it is found, the wool is soft, and oily, and 
plentilul and strong.” And again as to the uses of 
yolk, he says:—“ It is not the inspissated perspiration 
of the animal; it is not composed of matter that has 
been accidentally picked up and that has lodged in the 
wool; but it is a peculiar secretion from the glands of 
the skin, destined to be one of the agents in the noux'- 
ishraent of the wool, and at the same time, by its ad¬ 
hesiveness, to raat the wool and form a secure defence 
from the wet and cold. 77 JLuccosk, also, ^who is quo¬ 
ted by Youatt,) observes that the yolk is necessary 
to the good qualities of the fleece, and that without it 
the wool becomes thin and light; “ with it the fleece is 
fall, soft and rich; * * and the qualities and condition 
of the wool are most wonderfully improved. From 
these circumstances we conclude that yolk is not only 
necessary to the production of a valuable fleece, but 
is the very pabulum of wool.” He observes that the 
manner in which yolk acts upon wool is not accurately 
known. “Some.” he says, “have considered it the 
superabundance of that substance which forms the fila¬ 
ment, and which, by some unknown process, while the 
pile is growing, is consolidated into a transparent mass; 
while others conclude, perhaps more reasonably, that 
it is a peculiar secretion which exudes through the 
skin, and by intermingling with the pile, renders it 
soft, pliable and healthy, affecting it much in the same 
way as oil does a thong of leather, when kept immer¬ 
sed in it till perfectly saturated.” 
These remarks show the importance of the yolk or 
natural oil, to the growth and value of wool. But the 
fleeces of some sheep contain a secretion which is 
quite different from the true yolk above spoken of. It 
is a yellow, waxy substance, adhering to the pile, often 
attaching the fibres together so that their separation 
is difficult, and forming also a great obstacle to the 
thorough washing and cleansing of the fleece. It is 
frequently called gum. As it is not readily separated 
from the fleece by the action of water, it often adds 
much to the weight, even after the sheep are thought 
to have been “well-washed.” Unlike the proper kind 
of yolk, it does not increase the strength and elasticity 
of the wool, but on the contrary, in some instances, by 
glueing the fibres together makes them liable to break 
in working. 
But there is another point in this connexion which 
must not be overlooked. The character of the sheep, 
as to constitutional hardiness, &c., is in a great degree, 
indicated by the quality of the fleece. It is known to 
every observing wool-grower, that those fleeces which 
naturally contain the least yolk, are thin and light, and 
are produced by sheep of weak constitution. Such sheep 
require more delicate food, more shelter, and more care 
in ail respects. On the other hand, those fleeces which 
are well supplied with yolk, are borne by hardy, strong- 
constitutioned sheep, which are able to bear exposure, 
and live and thrive on comparatively coarse fare. 
These characteristics render it an object of importance 
tor the wool-grower to pay attention to the yolk in the 
fleece, both as affecting the quantity and value of wool, 
and the points on which the profits of sheep depend. 
6i Spare that Tree.” 
Following out the poetical sentiment above express¬ 
ed, I would say to settlers on new lands, spare the beau¬ 
tiful trees. Select the site for your habitation, if the 
surface permits,'on some gently-rising eminence, and 
if possible, in view of the “silver stream” or the 
“ limpid lake,” and with a park, you may have a love¬ 
ly situation. . 
But how, says one, am I to eradicate the bushes and 
obtain a smooth, grassy lawn beneath the trees. Cut 
the bushes when the leaf is fully expanded, or duiing 
the season of their most vigorous growth. Pasture 
close with sheep, and you will be able to be rid of the 
under-growth in one or two seasons. Clear ofl the rub¬ 
bish and sow grass seed, and you have done. I have a 
beautiful park of forty acres made in this way. K 
Watkins. Napoleon, Mich. April, 1848. 
