WOOL-CLASSING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10229, 4 May 1911, Page 5

WOOL-CLASSING.

AT MASTERTON TECHNICS SCHOOL. The wool-classing classes under the auspices of the Masterton Technical School were commenced last night, when about fifteen pupils attended. The Mayor and Mi* W. Perry (President of the Masterton A. and P. Association) were also present.

Mr W. H. Jackson, chairman of the Board of Managers, introduced Mr Lees, stating that they were very fortunate in having secured the services of a, man who had ha<T a wide experience in wool matters all over the world. He stated that the Board were thankful for .the help they had received from the A. and P. Association and growers.

Mr Lees stated that he hoped he would be able to impart some useful j information. Although the class was j termed a wool-classing class, he inI tended to go much further than' that. Wool was a. thing about which one had never finished learning. While he intended to go into practice, be also intended to touch on theory, for both were necessary. There was a time when tannic acid, and tallow, and many other things had to be tested by smelling and tasting, but since then the science of chemistry had come to the aid of manufacturers. Manufacturers of wool were also in the same position until chemistry made known the many uses of wool. It was discovered that' the soaps that were used were very much too strong, and the water for scouring was used at a temperature that was too high. These discoveries did much to increase the value of wool. The wool-classing class was for the purpose of teaching the pupils how to grow the right class of wool for different purposes. It is a matter of importance to find out how to avoid tenderness in wool. In coming to the .class he hoped the students would be open to conviction, or els'e they would never be able to learn much. The fibre of wool was a particularly delicate thing, and was very .easily subjected to defect; that is, the slightest thing would affect it to its detriment. Change of surroundings and food always'affected the sheep, and (the wool was always the first thing to show the affection. The affect of dipping was very detrimental in some ways. The sheep,, after being dipped, run into a pen to dry under a hot sun. This killed the cells from which the wool grew. Care should be taken in. shearing not to irritate the sheep's back and bring the blood to the surface, for this checked the growth and- allowed the rain to get into the -fleece quicker than if the sheep was well woolled on the back. lit conclusion, Mr Lees said ; he was prepared to place all his, knowledge at the disposal of the pupils, but he hoped they would come to,the classes prepared to-ask questions.

At the conclusion of his address. Mr.'Lees proceeded with the work of his class.