Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1927-03-17
BETTER CARE IS
BOOST FOR WOOL

Shearing is probably done as well as
most Of the various other tasks con
nected with sheep raising. There are
good many points about wool grow
ing and wool preparation. however. in
which Illinois does not hold an envi-
able position. according to w. G.
Kammlade, in charge of sheep hus-
bandry at the college of agriculture,
University Of Illinois. In fact the
Boston Wool Trade association has
reported that in every state east of
the Missouri river some gain would
result from Improvement in methods
of preparing wool for the market, but
that the greatest gain could be made
in the states OF Indiana Illinois, Iowa,
Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The reference is not TO the method of
marketing although great improve
ment could be made here also-but
to the preparation of deeces.
One Of the worst things with which
manufacturers have to contend is the
chaff and straw that growers allow
to get into the fleece, either by care
Iessness in feeding, unswept floors
lat time of shearing or POOR storage
after shearing This may result in
loss of some ten cents a pound or from.
seventy-five cents to a dollar a fleece,
No great care or effort Is necessary
to avoid this loss. The preparation of
feeces can be further improved by the
removal of all tags and dirty locks
right after shearing. These. should be
kept separate from the rests OF the
wool. Black wool also should be
packed separately.
A great amount of carelessness is
evident in handling fleeces after shear
ing. The tendency is to roll the fleece
in any old way and tie it with any
thing from halfinch rope to barbed
wire The proper way to roll fleece
is to spread it out on the floor flesh
side down then fold in the legs and
belly wool so that the fleece viii be
about two and one-half feet wide.
Then start at the rear of the fleece
and roll toward the head. The head
and neck wool should be turned so
that this part will be underneath the
wool from the shoulder when rolling
is complete. When the fleece Is then
tied 1t will show the flesh side and
be very attractive Rolling in this
way brings the wool from the shoulder
and side on the outside of the fleece
The wool from these parts is the best
wool grown 5y the sheep.
In tying the fleece either paper or
glazed Irvine Of moderate size should
be used and not more than two strands
| put each way around the fleece About
/ seven, or eight feet of Irvine Is ample
to tie-the average fleece. These twines
will not iniure the fleece in any way.
Certainly any one wishing to, have a
well prepared product will not use
binder Irvine or pieces of rope or wire.
The Boston Wool Trade association
looks with disfavor on the use of the
wool tying box as it gives the fleece
! a bioeky, heavy appearance which is
certainly not an advantage.
No suggestion looking to the i'm
| provement OF wool marketing methods
has so much to commend 1t as has
| the wool pooi'' and 1t is certain in
the long run to bring better prices for
| high quality wooi--the kind every one
! should endeavOr to produce. The weol
| growers Of Illinois will do well to give
the cooperative marketing Of wool
due consideration. according to Kamm-
lade