The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-11-25
Uses OF Oil in Wool.


All persons who know anything about
wool, admit that it must be oily during
its growth in order to be good; and that
is merely admitting that Nature, in
perfect understanding ofthe work which
she undertakes, has always placed it
there.
1t is precisely so with the hair Of the
horse, OK and COW, and probably is with
all animals who have the pleasure Of
wearing hair which takes root in them
selves.
This oil was undoubtedly intended, not
primarily, as supposed by some, for the
health of the animal, but for the especial
benefit of the rool. II the wool had not
needed the presence Of the oil, there
would bave been no oil glands to secrete
it; but as the glands are there, and as
the wool does need their cooperation,
the health of the animal will be impair
ed if the functions ofthose glands are
suspended.
The oil in wool serves two purposes
at least. First the same that it serves
the common hen, the mink and other fur
covered animals that live both in and
out of the water-that is, as Il protection
aqainst moisture; and this is q very i'm
portant consideration, especially to
those sheep whose careless owners per-
nit them to remain without shelter
through cold Northwest storms.
Secondly, the oil is indispensable in the
productions of the best wool. 1t keeps
il soft, pliable, lustrous and strong,
with all its beautiful parts, barbed sides,
and serrated edges, perfectly developed.
1t is elastic and pleasant to the tonch,
instead of being dry and harsh.
There is nothing more easier for many
people than to ride "hobby," and to
ride it numerically, too; and here is a
sample of it. In the Ohio Farmer of
August 3, there is considerable portion
of an essay put forth by the woOl-grow-
ers of Coshocton Co., in which the fol-
lowing is the leading expression:-
"Rams for coupling should throw out as
much oil rs possible, the more the bet
ter" and among other things it is stated
that this oil tends to keep the wool
"clean." Both remarks are eItravagant,
and injurious to the wool-grswer, aud
wool manufacturer too.
All the oil that is necessary 10 just
what il sufficient for the purposes which
we have mentioned above, namely pre-
lection against moisture, and to render
the wool soft, pliable, healthy, lustrous
and strong; all beyond that is produc.
ton which draws upsn the physical
powers of the sheep, and adds an ele-
ment which is not only useless in itself,
but one which subjects the manufac-
turer to heavy cost to get rid of be-
fore he can work up the wool.
1t is only . few days since we were
conversing with n manufacturer upon
the condition Of the business at present,
cost Of wools,. wool-growing, &C., &c.
Among other remarks which he made,
this was especially remembered: 1--WE
purchase no wool Off we can pos
sibly avoid It," Why mott Because
the shrinkage is so great on account of
oil and dirt that it is more expensive
than any other wool in the market.
Besides this, there is a cost offive or six
per cent. for chemicals to extract these
substances before the wool goes to the
cards. The oil must all be extracted, or
the yarn will not take colOr."-Netc Eng
land Farmer.