be much improved, even without the introduction of any pure-blood into 
them, by killing out the bucks whose fleeces are of a peculiarly long and 
hairy nature. That “ black sheep,” which is found in every flock, comes 
handy also for the table, as the fleece is always of an inferior nature. 
When the time arrives to part with a sheep or lamb, and you have a 
black one in the flock, select him, leaving his more fortunate associates 
upon whom nature has not stamped the imprint of inferiority. We re¬ 
ceive large quantities of wool every year which could be much enhanced 
in value by following the above suggestions. These results could be 
easily accomplished with very little expense. The cost of feeding a sheep 
yielding a long, coarse and hairy fleece is the same as one growing a 
fleece far more valuable; therefore, the wisdom of producing the more 
valuable fleece is apparent. y'- ’ j 3a 
The next in importance to raising a curly fleece is to wash it 
properly. 
WASHING WOOL, 
The life of curly wool is its elasticity. Destroy this, and its wearing 
qualities are at once irreparably impaired. There are two things which 
when given in two large doses, robs it of its elasticity, leaving it lifeless. 
These are heat and alkali. 
Wool should not be washed in water hotter than 120° or 140° Fahren¬ 
heit—in no case hotter than the hand can bear. One hundred and thirty 
degrees F., or comfortably warm to the hand, is a safe rule. Soap, with 
much lye in it, should never be used; the lye eats the life without cutting 
the grease. During the process of washing, it is well to take a handful, 
now and then, and rinse thoroughly. If the wool feels springy when 
pressed with the hand, it is then ready to be rinsed thoroughly in cold 
water. Cold water is far better for this operation than warm. Wool im¬ 
properly washed can never be made as white as it should be. The grease 
left in it becomes “ set,” so that it is impossible to thoroughly remove 
it without injury to the fibre. Wool can be washed with more ease and 
thoroughness immediately after shearing than if allowed to remain till 
the fleece becomes dry. 
SHEARING, 
When parties do not intend to wash their wool, but ship it as it 
comes from the sheep’s back, we would remind them of an important fact 
that should not be overlooked. Wool sheared with the dew on it should 
be exposed to the air till it is dried off. To pack it away in bags, or a 
close place, with the dew or any dampness on it, is very injurious to the 
fibre if left for any length of time in this connection. A process of mould¬ 
ing sets in, giving the wool a musty smell and yellow appearance. To 
further avoid this result, it is better to store unwashed wool in a dry 
place. 
The most improved plan of shearing is to house the flock the night 
before shearing, if they are to be sheared very early in the morning, and 
the wool is not to be washed immediately. As soon as a sheep is shorn, 
clip off the tags from the fleece and roll it up with the skin side out. 
Wrap the tail end around the roll, or tie a string around it. This keeps 
the wool from drying out so much, preserves its softness, and makes sub¬ 
sequent washing more easily done. 
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