Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-06-10
PREPARATION OF WOOL.

We insert the following, extract from letter
Of MIR HAMILTON GAY Of New York 10 the
Journal of Commerce, in regard to the preparation
and sale of wool. as TO our Farmers.
New YORK, May 10Th, 1916.
Messrs. Hale & Hallock:
Dear Sirs 81 have your favor OF this days
date. Such information as can give on The sub.
iect of your nquiryis at your SERVICES Tor the
benefit OF those interested.
More than one-haf OF all the American Fleece
Wool exported from The United States of the last
wears chm was owned and shipped by myself and
by others having joint interest with me. The
purchases were all made at the lowest point Of
the season, beginning on the first day of October
last. The result has heen a nett loss of 5000,
and SO bales oc wool yet unsoId-equal only to
the fraction Of penny sterling on each pound.
Not fleece of the wool was sold to meet the
payment of drafts drawn against it, nor was any
portion of it unduiy pressed upon the market; and
this loss arose from causes unnecessary, easily
yoided, and entirely within the control of parties
in This country.
The prices of United State Fleece Wool are af-
fected very pjurously in foreign markets by its
uncean condition. 1t contains loo much oil, and
yoIk and dirt. The sheep generally washed
with too little care, and run too long after wash
ing before shearing. A large portion of the wool
from this cause must pass through the hands OF
those who SOIL II and scour II IN soap and water,
before il is sod 10 the manufa cnrers.
The wool itself is of superior staple, and
while upon the sheep is inferior no other IN the
world, Of equal grade; anu may be safely stated
that every pound of oil, other worthless substance,
will in the English markets. deduct from The
lhevalue of the wool containing ,lhe prce.at leas;
of two pounds Of wool. Eugllsk Manufacturers
and saplers before purchasing. open portion of
the hreces, and examine carefully, not only The
6neness, but also the strength of The staple and its
condition throughout.
i The first important operation 10 preparing our
fleece wool for export is 30 properly cleanse it
before shearIng. The sheep should be washed
in clear running waier-ibe water must run free
ly through every part-of The fleece, and the wool
aud every part oft should be pressed and worked
with The hands while under water, until the dirt
and oil a'e removed, aud the loater RUS off clear.
/, The shearing should then lake place as soon as
D the sheep become dry afer washing.
: Then comes the tying up of the leeces.
All The loose locks, clippings and .ags,and every
thing unceau. or Of an uferur quality, and coarse
wool from the thighs, if there b. any. should be
6 wholly rejected. aud the heeees tied up firmly SO
as to keep their shape, aud show, as is customary,
The b,st part of the fleece on the outside.
This terminates the wool growers part--but
e will here remark, that sheep should be kept as
tearIy as possible in uniformly good health and
flesh, because every portion OF :he staple or fibre
: of the wool which grows whle tie sheep is very
poor from disease want of food, has lutte
strength TO break in working; and Ifihis week
growth takes place in The fall Of the year, de-.
sIroys the fleece for many purposes.