The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1916-05-04
WOOL CAR TOURS
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Points Affecting Wool Values Ex-
planned to Sheep Raisers i'm
Four States.

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wool car of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture which left Livingston.
Montana, on January 10Th, has given
demonstrations in more than so
towns of the important sheep-grow-
ing states to at least 5000 persons
directly interested in wool growing.
Since leaving Livingston, the car has
been touring Montana, Idaho, Wyom-
ing AMI Utah in order to demonstrate
better wool means more money for
them. The tour is the result of CO.
operative arrangements made be-
tween the Bureau OF Animal Industry
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 import
ant educational effort that has yet
been made in aid of the sheep indus
try, which provides 9 States, embrac-
ing one-third of the total area of the
country, with the greater part of
their income. In recent years a wide
interest has been aroused in the bet
ter preparation of woods for market.
At the same time, however, there has
been In some quarters certain doubt
whether the financial returns would
repay the attention and expense in
yolved in a departure from the pres
ent methods, or rather the present
lack of methods. The more pro-
gressive sheep men have realized that
the success of the movement is de-
pendent upon general cooperation
among the wool growers. This can
hardly be expected In the absence of
familiarity with the market grades
of woods and knowledge of the wide
differences in values possible in woods
of the same grade. 1t is to furnish
this information to practical sheep
men that the demonstration car is
now making its tour.
In the car are live c''cep with
feeces representing the n.ain market
grades grown in the section in which
the car is travelling. Above the crates
holding the sheep are cases contain
ing similar fleeces, the grade, shrink
age and value of which are clearly
indicated Stationary magnifying
glasses show the distinctions in the
fineness of the various grades of
small samples. Considerable space is
also devoted to exhibits demonstrat-
ing the way in wnich the value of
wool depends upon its natural shrink
age, strength and character. The
methods of branding, packing and ty-
ing are also shown.
Another portion of the exhibit
which has aroused much interest con-
sists of cases containing samples of
wool in various stages of manufac-
ture from the wool in the fleece to
the finished fabric. Very few sheep
men understand the many processes
involved in the manufacture of fin
ished articles from the fleece and are
not, therefore, in position to appre
ciate the importance which manufac
turers attach to the different charac
teristics of the wool that they pur-
chase.
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. A
number of colleges in other western
States have asked to have the car Wis
it their territories, and dates and
places will be arranged for continu-
ing the demonstration as soon as it
is known what funds will be available
for the purpose during the coming
fiscal year.