86 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fes., 1900. 
We do not, of course, take upon ourselves to decide who is right: Mr. de) 
Jaczewsky, who declares that “the mushrooms are by far the most nutritious | 
of vegetable substances, not excluding bread”; or the American scientists, who 
find them ‘in fact inferior to many vegetables.” | 
Writing on the subject, Mr. H. A. Tardent, says.—In Europe, especially” 
in Russia and Poland, where an immense consumption of mushrooms take* 
place, they are there mostly used after having been dried. In that state they 
are extremely light, a very large bulk being necessary to make 1 Ib. That 
pageutedy, shows their spongy nature and a high percentage of water whel 
resh. 
As to their digestibility, whoever has tasted them knows that a small 
quantity only can De eaten at a time, especially when fried in butter. + 
authorities differ on the nutritive value of mushrooms, they all agree on thell 
usefulness as condiments and accessories to other dishes. 
THE PRINCIPLES OF SHEEP-BREEDING. 
INOnese 
By J. S. HERMANN SCHMIDT. 
THE FLEECE, 
In opening a fleece we notice that a wool staple, from the skin to the top, show® | 
a more: or less distinctly pronounced character. This is, by some w00 
experts, called the texture of the staple. The term is derived from the look 
which differently woven materials represent to the eye. 
Tt is also applied to the peculiar look of certain materials, indicating thei 
construction, whether cellular or crystalline, &c. We thus speak of the texture 
of ivory, of wood, of horn, &e. We also say the texture of a substance 36 
fibrous, such as that of asbestos; or crystalline, such as the broken surface of @ 
piece of steel. A. staple of wool also shows such a texture. One glance WI 
tell us whether we have to deal with a staple of well-bred or of ill-bred wool. 
Tf the wool fibres are true, the texture of the staple is clear; that meaw* 
regularity in all the fibres is conspicuous, and a high degree of waving render 
the texture very clear and marked ; where the fibres are true, but only slightly 
waved, the texture is not xo marked, but clear enough to distinguish the 
regularity of the wave without any trouble. Cases likewise occur where parts 
_of the same staple are true and waved, whilst others are composed of untrue — 
fibres with an irregular wave. In other cases the texture is pertectly obliterated: 
showing no marks whatever, but it appears more like a piece of cotton wadding: — 
The tops of the staples are formed in accordance with the character of the 
texture. In highly waved wools the texture is marked, the staples are more 0! 
less shafty, and the staple tops distinct. The more indistinct the texture is, the 
broader and more united are the staple tops. These features will, if practicable, 
be represented by photographs. 
The Fleece.—All the staples cohering together form the fleece. A good 
fleece must be composed of staples that are superior in shape and texture ; that 
means of fine cylindrical staples that show a clear wave, &c. The staples must 
stand as close to each other as possible, and they must give way to no natura 
parting or openness. The staples of a good fleece ought to part easily right 
down to the skin like the leaves of a book if purposely separated. To domg 
this the fleece should offer no resistance, nor should it be necessary to pull the 
tops of the staples violently asunder. By putting both hands on the fleece, and 
moving them away from each other, the fleece should readily give way and exhibit 
