Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-01
Agricultural
rTrueness of Wool Influenced by
Keeping.

AceptuBs
The quality of the trueness of the
staple especially, enhances the value of
every grade Of wool in which it is found.
II comprises an equality of the diameter
of the fibre from the root to the point,
and uniformity of the fleece generally.
When the filament greatly lacks in this
particular, it may be ascribed to an irreg-
ular and unhealthy action of the secre-
ton of the wool, which must be attribu-
ted, in general, 70 abuses in management
of the sheep. For instance, if the animal
has Jared kindly till the winter season,
and then exposed to storm, and cold, and
withal i'll fed, the growth Of that part of
the fibre during this period will be con-
siderably diminished in diameter, proper
tionably weak, and when examined by
the microscope, presents withered APP
pearance. On being turned to pasture,
the fare being better, and the secretions
again becoming healthy and abundant,
an enlargement of the fibre follows ; but
it is greatly destitute, from the causes
stated, of the quality of trueness, and
therefore debases the value of the whole
fleece. The weak and withered parts
of the fibre are termed breaches, and
iniure materially every manufacture in
which it is employed, the telling pro-
perry being deteriorated, and the cloth
having less strength and softness. The
skilful stapler and wool buyer will, on
critical examination, easily detect this
serious fault, and prize the wool accord
ingly. BY pulling asunder single fibre,
the break will uniformly be confined to
the breaches or withered point. This is
termed unsound wool.
Although this description of wool is
generally, as remarked, the result of bad
management of the flock, yet it is COM
mon to all good sheep. While the Sax
on and Merino, after the ewes, partcu-
larly, pass the age of eight or nine
years, the yolk lessons in quantity, which
is followed by comparatively "a hard, in
elastic, unyielding character of the wool,
with the strength and weight greatly dim
inished. Therefore, Notwithstanding the
singular longevity of these breeds, it is
better to pass them over to the butcher,
when arrived at the age mentioned.
Intimately connected with producing
sound and true staple, is the
INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE.
1t cannot be doubted that equality of
temperature is an important agent in
perfecting the several qualities of wool.
The custom, continued for centuries, of
driving the sheep in the spring TO the
northern and mountainous parts of the
kingdom, which are there kept until
the approach Of winter, originated in
part from the conviction that this theory
was sound. Indeed, it is founded in the
natural instinct of the sheep. Every one
knows it is impatient of heat. In the
midst of summer, in all attitudes where
it is found, it will seek the most elevated
points for the sake of the cooling breeze,
andretre to shades to guard itself against
the burning rays of the sun. In winter
it will flee to place of refuge from
storms and cold. All this testifes strong
ly in favor of the correctness of the prem
loCo' DuL INC IuCotlOll llluy NC dohCu,
what has the bodily comfort of the ami
NAL to do with perfecting the several
properties of the fleece? The answer
is, everything. If health and thrift are
promoted by equability of temperature,
the cutaneous glands are alike healthy,
and regular and even growth of the
fibre naturally follows.
But strictly speaking, equability of tenn
perature is nowhere to be found; there
fore, n our rigorous and changeable eli
mate, the fibre of wool must ever pres
ent a greater or less inequality of diam
eter between its extremes. tits remark
able that the point has always the larg-
est bulk. This is the product of sum-
mer, after shearing time, when there is
repletion of the secretions which pro-
duce the wool ard when the pores of the
skin are relaxed and open, and permit a
larger fibre to protrude. The portion
near the root is the growth of the spring,
when the weather is getting warm and
the intermediate part is the offspring Of
winter, when under the influence of the
cold, the pores of the skin contract, and
permit only fine fibre to escape.-.Mor.
reWs Am. Shephera