WASHING, SCOURING, AND GETTING UP OF WOOL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1059, 8 April 1882, Page 2

WASHING, SCOURING, AND GETTING UP OF WOOL.

Mr. FtSHER, the local agent for the New Zea* land Loan and Mercantile Agency. Company (Limited), has requested us to call the attention of our country readers who may be interested in the wool market, to the following remarks as to the washing, scouring, and getting up of wool. Few who have been on stations during the shearing season can have failed to remark on the, in many instances, primitive manner in which the wool is dealt with and the scant attention accorded to it in comparison with its deserts. A close study of the hints now published will, we feel sure, amply compensate the grower for any extra labour, while it will bo productive of increased Confidence and superior prices in the Home market as involving an immense saving of labour to purchasers: — 1, Queen Victoria Street, Mansion Ilouse, London, E.C., Feb. 10, 1882. In order that our numerous clientele of Colonial Wool-growers and shippers may possess in a condensed form the special comments which from time to time it has been found necessary to make regarding their consignments to this market, wo have considered ib desirable in the present Circular to invite thoir attention to the following points which may prove useful in the preparation and shipmonb of their wools. 1. Breed of Sheep and Class of Wool.— The differences of climate and soil which prevail throughout the Australian Colonies and New Zealand of necessity in Volva a variety of breed in the sheep and class of wool. Upon the country and its proximity to market will depend the breed of sheep and growth of wool. Where the climate is sufficiently cool and the soil sufficiently rich to depasture either crossbred or kindred types of sheep, and whore proximity to suitable markets for fat stock enables the grower to obtain a fair return for the carcase, it will doubtless prove to be for his interest to rear either cross-bred sheep or those still more closely approximating to the flocks of Great Britain. In doing this, however, caro should be taken to prevent any undue coarseness of staple in the wool, as the coarser the staple the more does it enter into direct competition with wools of domestic growth. On the other hand where the climate and soil are found to be adapted to the growth of merino sound in staple and sufficiently long for combing purposes, growers will do well to refrain from attempting to alter the character of their flocks by the introduction of coarse-woolled sheep. Their efforts ought rather to be directed towards maintaining the distinctive merino character in their flocks, These remarks of course do not apply to those districts of New South Wales-'.nd Queensland where fine clothing wools form a marked feature. For special purposes these will .continue as heretofore to command a market if well grown and free from fault.

2. Washing and Scouring.—While the question of shipping in a washed or greasy condition must rest with the grower according to the facilities which he possesses for the satisfactory “getting up” of his wool, it maybe said generally that if washing with soap be resorted to, care should bo taken not to introduce into the process any soda or crude alkali, which, in conjunction with hot water, at a temperature of from 100 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, would render the wool at all harsh to the touch or interfere with its retaining what may bo termed the inherent “ sparkling yolk.” If simply cold water be used, care must also bo taken not to allow too great an interval to elapse between washing and shearing. If attention be not paid to this important particular, the yolk of the wool is apt to become “ set,” and when inspected before sale in this market, it presents the appearance of being only partially washed. Such partial washing as is obtained by merely swimming sheep through a river or creek is likewise to be deprecated. Equally injurious to any cleanly washed sheep is the permission to travel them over dusty country between the sheep wash and the wool shed, as dust-tipped fleeces, even although the roots be fairly clean, are deteriorated in value. If the flockmostcr decide to shear his sheep in the grease, like caro ought to be taken to separate carefully the locks and pieces from the fleece os would be done in the case of washed flocks. The greasy locks and pieces when light in condition may frequently with advantage be scoured locally, provided the necessary appliances for doing so effectively exist. It is not, however, desirable to treat greasy fleece wools similarly, as not only are their defects more apparent when scoured, but in the process the fibres become interwoven, and give trouble m separation when dealt with for manufacturing purposes. To these general observations there must necessarily be exceptions, such, for example, as in cases where, while there are no proper appliances for sheep washing, the cost of carriage to port of shipment and the heavy condition of the clip render it undesirable to forward it in the grease. In scouring wools, whether on sheep stations or at wool scouring establishments, care ought to be taken either not to use too hot water or to deprive the wool of all inherent “yolk.” However clean “the scour” prior to being packed for shipment, the process can never be so complete as to obviate the necessity for further treatment before the wool reaches the manufacturers* hands. It is not, therefore, desirable to expunge all the “ nature ” from the fibre, as, if this be done, it has a tendency to become harsh to the touch.

3. Relative merits of Scoured, Washed and Greasy Wools.—lt having been shewn under the preceding paragraph, that unless sheep washing can be done thoroughly, and unless scouring is rendered necessary by the inability to wash the sheep or by the condition of the wool and cost of transport to shipping ports, it is preferable to ship the fleece portion of any clip in the grease (save in the case of very superior flocks where appliances for thorough washing exist), the advantage to be gained by the adoption of this course Becomes more apparent, if regard be paid to the following circumstances attendant on the disposal of Colonial wools in this market: — (a.) The demand for greasy wool for shipment either to the European or American Continent is greater and its area of competition is pro tanto increased. (b). Tbe probable rendement or outturn of clean wool can be more correctly appraised. (c). Save in the case of superfine grades, wool in this condition has a better basis for manufacturing purposes, (d). In the case of cross-bred wools wherein certain varieties of quality are usually found, it is easier to separate and classify when these are shipped in the grease, than when the admixture takes place in a washed or scoured condition. Practical evidence of the truth of these statements is found in the fact, that during

the past seven years there has been an increase of sixteen per cent, in the quantity of greasy Australian wool disposed of in the London sale-rooms, as compared with that in a washed or scoured condition. Lambs’ Wool.—As to the propriety of shearing lambs instead of allowing them to remain unshorn until they become Hoggetts, there may obviously exist considerable difference of opinion, and flockmasters, in arriving at a correct conclusion on this subject, will naturally be guided by the exigencies of their runs and the peculiarity of each season. Leaving therefore the question of shearing to be settled according to local requirements, it may be stated generally that lambs’ wool ought as a rule to be shipped in the grease rather than in a washed or especially in a scoured condition. Where runs are infested with burrs, or when shearing has taken place after the shedding of grass seed, these defects are rendered more prominent by the process of washing or scouring. For the purposes for which lambs’ wool is used, when m the grease it can be better worked, and it therefore commands a relatively higher price. (To be Continued). For continuation of neibs see 4th page.