December, 1952] G. S. MAHAL, A. JOHNSTON AND R. H. BURUS 303
4. The analysis of medullation in the individual samples indicates that there
are great possibilities for improving the wool for apparel fabrics, the variation
in the fiber thickness being rather large to require particular attention. Even
the finest samples, with average thicknesses of 26.55µ and 26.77µ, show variations
of 34.2 per cent and 49.2 per cent. For any program of improvement, therefore,
the greatest emphasis should be to attain the uniformity of fibers. The uniformity
in the case of true wool fibers is fairly satisfactory.
5. The stretched fiber length of different types of fibers in the individual samples
do not show any marked elongation of the outer coat compared to the inner coat
as seen in most of the poor carpet wools. This characteristic is highly desirable for
the spinning value of carpet wools.
6. There appears to be a relationship between the amount of medullation and
the thickness of the entire sample, the diameter increasing with increased medulla-
tion in the sample. However, hair fibers with a diameter of 30µ and wool fibers
with a diameter of 50µ show that the diameter alone does not control medullation
in wool, and some other factor, probably genetic, is partly, if not entirely, responsible.
7. The average contour ratio of the 8 samples is 1.284, designating a fair spinn-
ability according to the trade opinion. One of the samples showed a very good
spinnability, with a contour of 1.179, and one showed a medium spinnability. This
again reflects possibilities for improvement. Higher contour ratio seems to be
related to higher amount of medullation in the individual samples.
8. The average number of scales on true wool fibers with an average thickness
of 17.2µ is 1,900 along one surface, which is very close to that for the fine wool
Merino. When compared on the equal basis of unit length and 100µ width, the
number of scales on the true wool fibers was double that found on the heterotypical
or hair fibers. The outline of the scales is uniform, regular, and annular on the true
wool fiber, but is irregular, with pentagonal, hexagonal and rectangular forms, on
the hair and heterotypical fibers.
9. For a mass improvement of Bikaner sheep it seems necessary that only
tested rams be used for breeding which show a desirable amount of medullation in
the fleece and possess maximum uniformity in fiber thickness.
REFERENCES
1. American Society for Testing Materials, Standards on Textile Materials, D419—477, 1947
2. Anon., Annual Report of the Southwestern Range and Sheep Breeding Laboratory, Fort
Wingate, New Mexico, 1040
3. Anon., "Handbook on the Quality of Indian Wools," Agr. Marketing Adviser to Govt. of
India, Indian Market Series No. 33, 1942
4. Anon., "Report on the Marketing of Wool and Hair in India," Central Agr. Marketing
Dept., Govt. of India, Marketing Series No. 54, 1945, pp. 1-141
5. Anon., "Brochure on the Marketing of Wool in India," Agr. Marketing Adviser to Govt.
of India, Brochure Series No. 2, 1948, pp. 3-4
6. Baghavachari, K. V., Poultry and Sheep Development at the Livestock Research Station,
Hosur (Madras), Indian Farming 6, 584-5 (1945)
7. Barker, A. F., "Report on Shungteh and Wushing Sheep and Wool Based Upon a Visit to
the Sheep Exhibition at Chungteh, Shanghai, Chiao-Tung," Univ. Research Inst. Bull.
No. 9, 1937