American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-05-18
WOOL CARS LONG TOUR.
Points Affecting Wool Values Ex.
planned to Sheep Ralsers In Four
States.

-
The wool car OF the United Sates
Department Of Agriculture which
ieft Livingston, Montana, on January
18TH, has given demonstrations In
more than 80 towns Of the important
sheep-growing states to at least 5000
persons directly interested in wool
growing. Since leaving Livingston,
me car has been touring Montana,
Idaho, Wyoming and Utah In order to
demonstrate to sheep men that the
production of better wool means more
money for them. The tour is the re-
suit of cooperative arrangements made
between the Bureau of Animal Indus
try OF the Department OF Agriculture
and the agricultural colleges OF the
four states named.
The trip OF this car Is regarded by
wool specialists as the most important
educational effort hat has yet been
made In aid Of the sheep Industry.
which provides nine states, embracing
one-third OF the total area OF the
country, with the greater part of their
income. In recent years a wide in
terest has been aroused In the better
preparation OF woods for market. At
the same time, however, there has been
In some quarters n certain doubt
whether the financial eturns would
repay the attention and expense in
volved In a departure from the present
methods, or rather the present lack
OF methods. The more progressive
sheepmen have realized that the sue
cess OF the movement Is dependent up-
on general cooperation among the
wool growers. This can hardly be
expected In the absence OF familiarity
with the market grades OF woods and
a knowledge Of the wide differences
In values possible in woods OF the
same grade. 1t Is to furnish this In
formation to practical sheepmen that
the demonstration car is now making
Its tour.
In the car are live sheep with fleeces
representing the main market grades
grown In the section In which the car
Is travelling. Above the crates hold
Ing the sheep are cases containing sim
liar fleeces, the grade, shrinkage and
value OF which are clearly indicated.
Stationary magnifying glasses show
the distinctions In the finess of the
various grades OF small samples. Con-
siderable space IL also devoted to ex-
hibits demonstrating the way In which
the values OF wool depends upon It's
natural shrinkage, strength and char
acter. The methods OF branding,
packing and tying are also shown.
Another portion OF the exhibit which
has aroused much interest consists OF
cases containing samples OF wool In
various stages OF manufacture from
the wool In the fleeces to the anlsh-
cd fabric. Very few sheep men under
stand the many processes involved In
from the fleece and are not, therefore,
In a position TO appreciate the import
ance which manufacturers attach to
the different characteristics OF the
wool that they purchase.
The exhibits In the car are explain
ed to visitors by representatives OF
the Department OF Agriculture and OF
the agricultural colleges cooperating
with the federal department. An num-
Der OF colleges In other western states
have asked to have the car visit their
territories. and dates and places will
be arranged for continuing the dem
onBtration as soon az 1t Is known
what funds will be available for the
purpose during the coming fiscal year.