The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1901-08-13
No. 27

about two feet square. Spread the
belly wool and all the "bits" allowed,
on this square end by slipping the
right hand and arm under that side,
fold it up onto the left side, pressing
it compactly down and keeping the
left hand on it about the middle,
reach the right hand back and lap
the farther end up on top of and
squarely forward with the front,
holding it down firmly with the left
hand and arm with the right, lift
the twine and lap the end around
first finger of left; with the right
run the twine back over and around
under the middle of the fleece, draw
ing very tightly; then carry the
twine up to the lest hand, lift the
fleece and quickly turn it TO the
right, bringing the right hand side
squarely to the front; cross the
| twine and carry it back and around
under the fleece to the front, draw
as tightly as the hands and arms
perhaps assisted by the left knee as
a brace to pull against draw it,
| then securely knot and cut off the
twine. It is now four square block
of wool foot or more in size, and
it may be noted that the shoulders,
back and sides, best parts of the
fleece, are most exposed, with this
mode of tapping, which presents a
good and workman like appearance.
A fleece that has not been much torn
and is carefully Tapped on this plan
may be tossed about considerably
without losing any parts.
It is speedy way when one has
acquired skilful knowledge of all
the necessary motions.
If one wishes to use q tapping or
folding box he can find such fully
described in one or another of the
excellent books published on sheep
husbandry. Several of such boxes
are good and worthy of use. I built
one at an expense of about 81. so and
it worked very satisfactorily.
MARKETING THE WOOL,
and getting the cash for it, is the
elimination of a main part of the
business. Like cotton, it is always
cash on sale. Some times very low
and as often very high, but very sell
dom is it less than fairly remunera-
tive to the wool grower who under
stands and properly handles his busi-
ness.
Unless the wool grower lives in
section where there is much wool
grown, and that is visited by several
wool buying agents, his best way,
perhaps, is to ship to an Eastern
wool commission house Of good repu-
tation. A fair cash advance can be
had on the crop if desired. It may
be held and sold under ORDER of the
owner or sold at discretion of the
agent. I have done both ways with
Clips ranging from 500 pounds to 49,
900 pounds with about equal salts
faction.
The matter of one to three cents
per pound on clip of wool may
make considerable difference in the
amount of money received for the
year s work with sheep, and this diff
ference may some times be made by
the manner in which the wool is
taken from the sheep, tied up and
presented to the buyer in market.
The manufacturer who is careful to
have his goods present the very best
appearance, even though it be with
paint and varnish, is sure to get &
little the highest price, other things
being ed ual The wool grower who
does not take pride enough in his
business, or give it care and work
enough to have his wool clip pre-
sented to the buyer in its best pos
sible appearance, should take ten or
an hundred dollars less for his clip
than it is actually worth and not
grumble
Furthermore, he will get another
lesson when he drives TO town and
pays the merchant a few dollars more
for the fine fit and beautiful appear
ance of that new suit of clothes and
grand looking clock and then scolds
his wife on the way home because
she paid so much for the Etfuss and
feathers" on that new bonnet!
SAMEUL ARCHER
Marion, N. @.