1 Fxs., 1900.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 87 
a clear space entirely free from such wool hairs as appear to belong to no staple 
‘1 particular ; the presence of such interloopers generally shows that the fleece 
'S not reliable as to trueness. The texture of such staples used to be called 
use crépe—in distinction to true crépe. The latter means an apparently loosely 
ult staple without any or with very little yolk. A fleece to be valuable should 
¢ even all over; firstly, in fineness. The fibres grown on any part of the skin 
should be as fine as those grown on the shoulder, and there should be no 
“oarser hairs intermixed with them, such as the kemp on the wrinkles of the 
‘heck, on the breech, on the root of the tail, &e. Secondly, in waving. All the 
staples of the body should have the same degree of waving, particularly on those 
Places that are naturally inclined to curliness—for instance, the wither, the belly, 
and the brisket. Thirdly, it should be of equal density throughout, especially 
on the back, the rump, the flanks, and the belly. Fourthly, it should cover 
) ety part of the body. This is a subject to which the breeders in Australia 
‘ave not paid sufficient attention. But it ought not to be lost sight of that an 
intmal which carries good, solid, and cylindrical staples on every part of the 
ody must return a higher amount of wool than another which does not, 
Provided that both are equal in length and density. JI mentioned on a former 
°ccasion that the best wool is produced on those parts of the skin which cover 
thick layers of muscles, such as the neck, the shoulder, the ribs, and the upper 
thigh; “those, on the contrary, that are situated on bones and sinews” have 
av less natural tendency to produce wool; and I have frequently heard the 
remark that if Nature does not intend those parts to produce wool, all the 
*ndeavours of mankind to accomplish that aim must be regarded as unreasonable. 
iS much to be regretted that this important feature in wool-growing has 
hitherto been so much lost sight of in Australia, and we must give the credit 
®t having shown how much may be accomplished in that way to the Negrettis 
‘nd Vermonts. It is evident that the surface of the belly alone, if covered with 
® dense, well-organised fleece, might produce nearly 1 lb. of wool, not to mention 
the cheeks, the two forearms, and the lower thighs, &¢. The French and German 
merinos, as well as the Vermonts, are remarkably well covered on those parts— 
* Proof that we ourselves may do a great deal which Nature has not done for 
8. A few additional ounces of wool cut from each sheep amount to a 
“onsiderable item when there are several thousands of sheep to be shorn. 
The money returns of a fleece are made up out of several factors :—1. The 
Market value of that special description of wool which the sheep carries. 
~ The quantity which the animal produces. 3. By a combination of value with _ 
{Uantity. Two pounds of very fine wool frequently pay less than B31b. of a 
Middling description. With reference to the desirable qualities of the wool, I 
eheve | have already said all that might be of interest. When speaking of 
"he wool fibre alone with reference to the weight of the fleece, we have to pay 
tention to the following points: The weight of the fleece is made up through 
le leneth of the staple combined with a dense growth and the specific weight 
“t the wool fibre itself. Clearly waved wools are longer than slightly waved 
nes, provided the natural height of the staple be equal. With reference to 
€ Weight of fleeces, we must not allow ourselves to be deceived by the number 
~ Pounds alone which the scale should indicate. The quantity of the yolk has 
* Steat deal to say to it. If we consider that apparently well-scoured fleeces might 
: fer very considerably with reference to the quantity of yolk which they still 
etain, We inust naturally come to the conclusion that it is necessary to determine, 
Hot the apparent, but the real—the absolute quantity of pure wool fibre that the 
‘mal hag produced. The question wherein the remunerative qualities of a 
iece consists now assumes a different aspect: Our task now consists in 
“Weulating the quantity of pure wool fibre produced by the animal for each 
Pound of livin ¢ weight—7.e., how much money, in the shape of wool sold, has been 
broduced by the pound of fodder consumed. The two French sheepbreeders, 
a athiew de Dombasle and Mons. de Barbangais were, I believe, the first who 
oe € that question a subject of special inquiry. Mons. de Barbangais believes 
‘ave proved that all the larger animals carry a comparatively smaller skin 
