The Panola weekly star., 1882-05-27
Washing Sheep.

There has been difference Of opinion
as to the advisability OF washing sheep
before shearing. The objections on the
part Of the wool grower arc that wash
ing in the water Of the cold streams In
this State Is detrimental TO the sheep,
both in the act Of washing aud also be-
cause they must carry their heeccs too
late in the season. Sheep generally
lose flesh during the last month they
carry their feeccs when kept to the
usual time, and even no longer than Is
absolutely necessary 10 secure sufficient
warmth In the water TO make the opera
tion Of washing safe. A second OBJ
lection Is that II Is very unpleasant
job for the washers and cndangers their
health. This objection can be obviated
where large tanks can be constructed.
SO that the washer can stand outside
and not enter the water. This II
difficult 10 secure. and ut the same time
have water enough to make the washing
effective. To the wool-grower, rs far
as the sheep. lis health and thrift IL con.
cerned, there Is not single thing TO be
said in favor Of washing, while there Is
much to be said In favor OF not washing.
IL Is far better for the sheep to be
sheared as early rs the middle Of May.
II Is then too warm TO carry such a coat.
and they generally lose flesh after this
time till sheared. After being turned
out TO grass the wool becomes more or
less filthy, ewes sucking lambs lose their
wool. and sheep sheared at this time II
kept under shelter nights and during
cold storms will do much better. The
wool also starts better than when
shearcd after the weather Is hot The
practical experience Of every good
shepherd Is that early shearing Is best
as far as the sheep Is concerned.
The next question Is regarding tho
fleece. The wool grower Is anxious. OF
course, to put Il In condition to get the
most money out Of Il and buyers have
generally demanded that Il be washed.
One difficulty Is that wool Is not bought
and sold on Its merits. In each class
Of wool the different lots bring about
the same price, no matter what the
condition unless decidedly bad: there Is
a certain price for washed iieeces and a
certain deduction for unwashed, yet
tho unwashed may have less foreign
matter init.
II Is. of course. impossible TO test the
matter with the same fleece. but there
i hardly doubt that Merino fleece
washed In the usual way and the sheep
allowed 10 run for several days after
washing before being shcarcd. will have
nearly or quite ~ heavy fleece ss II II
were sheAFcd before any warm weather.
and there is little doubt that the iiber
would be better and stronger. There Is
little doubt that under tho present meth.
DDS the fleece win bring more II washed
on the sheep. but that h ought 10 Is not
- plain. Having reference only 10 its
salue. the fleece certainly can be worth
no more 10 the manufacturers after TO.
ing through the spring storms on The
shccp and allowed 20 fll with oil on the
sheep after washing. II there is more
extrAneous matter In II before wishing.
| n. Of course. u not worth 90 much Per
pound. and the cost Of freight on The
ufnrftuHE VI HtlkUA mu<A 1I=H DC Nf-
Quoted. but that this difference i as
great - that made BY buyers 4 denied
by wool growers and they win nos be-
lieve u until they see The price of wool
graded according 10 IL condition and IL
value.
There is . growing objection to wash
ing sheep. Breeders q choice sheep
win not do H. and II none that grow
wool would. and II the same time iaks
pains to keep their sheep clean and
shear early. ihey would probably n.
reive for their wool - much as they
now do. II not the gain 10 the sheer
would compensate Tor some deficiency
IN feeoa- BY allowing early shearinf.
Mor sheep are shsared unwnshsd every
Year and the number win probably IN
crease until wa.hinR the vcrl cs ~
sAesp viii be unknovn.--x,ptrva ~
ssi Trsbss<