The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-06-09
Preparing Wool for Market.

The season is at hand when prepara-
tons must be made for marketing the
fleece in the best possible shape, in
order to secure for it the best possible
price. Sheep come through the winter
sometimes in . very dirty condition,
unless good care is given them, and the
wool is filled with dust, sand, particles
of manure, and the natural secretions,
all of which must be removed before
the wool is in proper condition to shear
sff and send to the mandatory.
Tagging is usually done before the
sheep are washed. All the manure
stained wool or tags should be carefully
trimmed off and thrown aside until
they can be washed by themselves.
This work should not be put off too
long. Sometimes in the hurry of field
work farmers postpone tagging" until
washing-time, and then it is quite i'm
possible, in the short time the sheep are
in the water, to thoroughly cleanse out
all the filth that accumulates around
the hinder parts. At this time, also,
careful attention should be given to the
pairing of the toes, which may have
grown to considerable length during
lates in the hoof often engenders foot
rot. Cut out every vestige of rot, and
apply tar with swab or stick; this is
the most effectual method of treating
the disease.
After the sheep have been through
the process Of tagging and hoof-clean-
ing, and when the weather has become
sufficiently warm, washing is in order.
We do not think there is any necessity
for cautioning against such dishonest
practices as washing sheep in shallow,
sandy pools, for the purpose of'increas-
ing the weight of the wool by the sand
that gets into the fleece, though it has
been done; but wool-buyers cannot often
be guided by such means. Honesty in
washing, in folding and in weighing is
always best. Washing is most COM
monty performed in brooks or creeks,
and warm, pleasant day should be
chosen for the work.
Having erected pen on the bank,
with narrow passageway running to
the water, pen up the flock, and if the
number Of sheep is not very large, one
man to catch the sheep, one to stand in
the brook and wash them, and one to
assist them into another pen, will be
sufficient. Care should be exercised,
in catching the sheep, not to brighten
them unduly, or tear out theii
wool. Grab them by the hind leg
just above the hook, and then about
the neck, and they will not struggle
much and can be easily held.
When once in the water, washing
should be performed as quickly as pos
sible to avoid chilling the sheep. The
wool should be thoroughly squeezed be-
tween the fingers, and any especially
dirty places well washed out. 1tiswell
to squeeze out as much water as posi-
BILE from the wool. when the sheep have
come out, to hasten drying. Unless the
weather is warm the washed flock
should be well sheltered for a night or
two to avoid taking cold.
Some farmers prefer to build dam,
with a spout or trough extending from
thunder which the sheep may be held
and washed. The washer can put on
rubber thigh-boots, and SO avoid get
ting wet when this method is practised,
but tilt not generally so effective.
Sheep-washing now has not the poe
try and sentimentality of the past, and
the question "Will it payp" is very often
raised. If honestly washed fieeces bring
better price in market than unwashed,
the old custom will not 60 out Of prac-
tice; but if it shall appear that up-
washed fieeces are equally as salable rs
washed, men will not be apt to stand
waist deep in chilly water simply for
the sake Of custom. - Cor. N. r. Erqn,-
liner.