CHARACTER OF' MERINO WOOL ON THE SHEEP’S BACK.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1922, 22 April 1880, Page 4

CHARACTER OF' MERINO WOOL ON THE SHEEP’S BACK.

[“ Queenslander.”] First, uniform quality of wool all over the shosp. Second, elasticity and strength of staple. Third, softness and silkiness of touch. Fourth, freeness, with the greatest number of fibres contained in one staple j the staple not put on or appearing like bunches of bristle placed in a hair broom, or, as it is generally termed, “ ropy,” but so placed that when you are standing on the one side of the sheep and reaching over with your hands, placing them on the top of the ribs you can with the fingers of the right and tho flat of your left hand commence opening tho staples like tho leaves of a book right down to tho belly ; the further this desirable peculiarity extends under the belly the better, and when on removing the hands the wool immediately closes again. Elasticity and strength of staple is ascertained by taking hold of the roots of the staple with the finger and thumb of the one hand and the spiral end or top of the staple with the corresponding thumb and finger, gently pulling it upwards, and, when at the extrema tension, letting it go, it will immediately re'ume its original position. Tho strength of the staple can be ascertained at the same time by placing the middle finger of tho upper hand on the middle of the staple and using just sufficient force to try its strength, at the same time observing if there is any break or thinness in any particular place. Should there be, then that particular sheep lias been in bad health or very poor at the time it was making that particular portion of tho staple. When in perfect health the surface of the skin of sheep is of a beautiful pink colour, with clear full eye (according to age). Tho greater the number of soriations consequent on their minuteness, and tho more elastic is tho staple, to so much greater length will it spin in the manufacturing. Also, tho softness and peculiar silkiness of the wool to the touch will be maintained all through the manufacturing, and will be most perceptible in tho fabric when finished. Another peculiarity that is a component part in the character of wool on the sheep’s back is colour, A yellow thick gummy-fibred staple can never bo elastic. The most acceptable colour is that approaching tho white ; not a watery white, but one with the yellow just perceptible through it, making the yolk more transparent. It is the combination of the above mentioned good qualities that constitutes what is or ought to bo meant by “ character” in wool on tho sheep’s back. Ropiness is usually most observable on combing sheep and most perceptible on the muscles of the shoulder, extending upwards a certain distance and downwards as far as there is any wool; also on the top and between the shoulder-blades, and on the thigh and breech. Such sheep are very objectionable. To increase the quantity of wool on thinly clothed sheep is a very simple matter, and does not require any great amount of experience or entail much trouble where the country is good. To effect this object go through ycur four-yoar-old ewes (if you have no stud flock) just before putting in the rams for second crop of lambs, confining yourself to no definite number, but selecting the largest-framed sheep with the best covered points, length of staple, weight of wool, Ac., and the greatest amount of the above combined good qualities, care being taken to use nothing but locally acclimatised rams (unless you can afford to experimentalise). By following out tho above rules you will in three years have weaners fit to be looked at; in tho fourth, as far as your young sheep are concerned, you will have nearly attained your object, and. by soiling or getting rid of your old ewes you will greatly increase the average weight of your clip and find a greater pleasure in beholding your sheep and the credit side of your ledger.