ROMNEY WOOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1925, Page 4

ROMNEY WOOL.

SIGNS OF DETERIORATION. | I

GISBORNE, November 14. The subject of the deterioration of Romney wool, which has been given so much prominence during the past twelve months, came up for discussion at the meeting of the Farmers’ Union this afternoon, when a letter was received from Mr F. A. Akroyd, a Bradford top maker. Some months ago th.e Union sent Home some supplies of New Zealand wools, including some from Poverty Bay, and asked Mr Akroyd to point out whether deterioration existed in these wools. The reply was as follows:

We have analysed the samples of Poverty Bay wool sent, and divided them into three lots. The first represents the original staple, the second represents the strong hairs which are contained in that staple, and are the result of crossing with the Romney, and the third represents the staple after the strong hairs have been taken out. We are also sending you samples of wool from the Napier and Wellington districts. The first has been crossed with a Romney, and you will see how a beautiful wool is being absolutely ruined by the crossing, as the strong and low hairs contained in the staples are really dreadful to anybody who thoroughly understands the spinning of wool. Most ol the wools from these districts arc showing this very serious and alarming effect.

Another sample is from the Christchurch district, and is crossed with the Leicester instead of the Romney. 4 his may not look such attractive wool to you. but I can assure you it is a very much better breed than the other. Yon will observe bow even the fibres are from the top ol the staple to the bottom, and throughout the staple itself. The Leicester sample contains more grease, and buyers naturally value it slightly less, hut in making these comparisons please hear in mind the difference in the weight. The llcecc from the Leicester will weigh considerably more than the Romney lleecc. Assume that a llcecc of wool from the Romney weighs Kill), and is sold at tod. 4'his would mean that you were receiving 12s (id for a llccce. Assume on the other hand, that the Leicester was north Id per lb less because it bad more grease in it. This means the llcecc is worth lls. 4'he heavier fleece bred with Leicester not only is producing a better spinning wool and a better wool for manufacturing purposes, but reallv pays the farmer belter too.

A great deal of stress lias been laid on the point that crossing with tho Romney has not been the entire cause of tliis irregularity in fibre which can be overcome by “selection” and culling the undesirable sheep lielorc each new breeding season, hut this, to my mind, is a mistaken idea, as the irregularity shows itself in an absolutely purebred Romnev fleece.