Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-12-27
LIV STOCK.
THE QUALITY OF WOOL.

EftI1CSS OI HUEE Is du iHibUt Ilub dudiit
in the commercial value of wool. The pra'
tised eye of an expert w%ool-buyer detects {
once the withered portions or breaches {
the fiber that are to be found in those par:
OF the wool that protruded from the ski
when the animal WAS iabQring under an
disease, or when exposed to undue cold Q
deprivation Of nutritious food. EXamina
ton of a few fibers by the eye or the draw
ing Of them through the fingers will detec
these breaches. This .uneyenneSs or breal
in the continuity ofthe thickness or strength
of the fiber seriously diminishes its value
since it is liable to break during the frs
process Of manufacture. In ever Old AM
poverty struck sleep the greater part, 0
the whole OF the wool, will have a shriyelet
appearance that can be detected by the .ey'
o, finger. Short, coarse White hairs at tht
roots of the staple. which will never taxi
dye, are found principally in neglected
breeds, and detlact from the value of sucl
tleeceS.
Iigh-grade wool must combine the val
tabic qualities of t~ineness, f~lllness. free
ness, souudne>s or strength, length anc
softness. Fineness of the fiber should dis
play itself by a uniformity all over the bod5
though naturally Il coarser quality may be
expected on the top Of the shoulders ant
rump, and a weaker quality on the belly
the finest quality of wool is found upon the
spine from the neck to within six inches OF
The tail. including one-tllirl Of The breadth
of the back or saddle. Fullness means the
cioseness with WHICH the staple or locks OF
wool grow together on the skin. Upon
opening the wool Of 4 well fed sheep, pos
sessing this quality in perfection, only a
thin line Of skin will appear. while ii deti-
Gent, . space almost bare, Freeness makes
the separate hbers Of each staple distinct,
and not inclined to become entangled to-
gether. 4 lack OF this quality shows itself
most plainly along the ridge OF the back,
and in well bred sheep tile wool, on being
opened, should fall apart under the hands
like tile leeyes Of a book.
Soundness or strength Of fiber is indieat-
"a by tie amount Of grease in tie wool
plenty Of grease Indicating strength and
abundance Of nutritious fooa-prodac!ng
grease. Along the ridge OF the back there
is Il sort Of division between the wool Of
each side; tenderness Invariably shows IL
self there and by taking out a staple from
this part, testing 1t with 4 strong, steady
pull. il its sounlness is proved then the
Whole fleece may be pronounced sound.
This is IN Indispensable qualify IN q comb
ing wool. rs there should be an absence Of
breaches or wilhered portions. Length OF
fiber must be carefully regulated by the
breed most desired, the nature of the pas
ture aud theelimate. 70 Judge Of the length
of staple ia a fleece tie division along the
ridge Of the back is the best part 20 exam
inc, since there it is casually somewhat short
er than in other portions. Softncss or elias
ITCHY is important to enable the WOOL TO
Withstand the various operations Of manu-
A want OF this quality is most
conspicuous between the points OF the Shout
ders and up the neel,. Harsh, Wiry wool is
inclined to be brittle. Lambs wool is soft
or than that CT the sheep from the same
flock.
Absence of strength, elasticity and other
good qualities is produced by lack of regu-
and generous feed OF sheep, White the
opposite course alone can insure a good sup
ply Of yolk. prouth, extreme cold and any
change that checks the growth Of
grass or the supply of food, is seen to ex-
lslbit its injurious effects III the quality of
wool. No one deficiency is SO sure to
cause 4 break IN the wool, and frequently a
or shedding Of the fleece, as want