WOOL RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 100, 2 May 1929, Page 10

WOOL RESEARCH

WORK AT TORRIDON

DR. BARKER'S REPORT

EVERYTHING TO LEAKN

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON", 19th March.

A very comprehensive report has been issued on the work of the British Research Association for the Woollen and Worsted Industries, which is carried on at Torridon, Headingly, Leeds. When the High Commissioner (Sir James Parr) visited Yorkshire recently he was shown over the institution, and was much impressed with the work that is being undertaken thare. "The investigations carried out by the staff," says Dr. S. G. Barker, in opening his report, "start from the mating of the parent sheep and finish only when the fabric is actually being worii. It is obvious that with "such a wide iield of investigation attention cannot immediately be devoted to every problem that comes to one's mind, but that regard must be given to the fundamental issues which will form a sound basis for the subsequent superstructure of industrial application." In any systematic study of the wool industry, slates Dr. Barker, first of all 'one would have to pay attention to the properties and. production of the raw material from which the finished products of manufacture are to be derived. In the i-ase of wool, i'roni the scientific point of view there is very little definite knowledge to place before the manufacturer or grower. In fact, it can be said that from the scientific, point of view we know just enough about wool to realise how little we know. DEFINITE DATA. Every step taken in the investigation of the properties of the fibre only convinces the investigator of the large amount of work yet to be done ana of the wonderful material upon which he is working. One point is of special interest: namely, the inherent variability of wool as regards its properties. It would seem, therefore, that work on \\\o raw material should be directed towards the analysis, identification, measurement, etc., of tho various attributes of the wool fibre and subsequently to the clear ascertainment of tho relative importance of each of these characteristics in the industrial processes. The question of the modification of the properties of wool to suit particular conditions, as well as tho means of effecting such modifications, must be determined. The effects of selection, breeding, nutrition, climate, pasturage, .etc., on particular breeds of sheep, and consequent effects upon the wool produced on their backs, must bo observed carefully and expressed in such a manner that tho producer will have definite data upon whicli to base his future work in the production of improved wool for the manufacturing side of the industry. In the case of wool, the raw material has been produced very largely without refereuco to its subsequent use, and in consequence uneconomic factors have crept in which render the industry under a permanent disability in competing with artificial fibres. It is obvious, therefore, that a close connection should exist between manufacturer and producer of the raw material, aud secondly that this closer connection should be founded on a basis of scicntilic fact which is irrefutable. It lias to be remembered in tins work that wool is not the only product of the sheep, and close atte'ntiou has to be givon to tho mutton-producing qualities of the animal, as well as to the wool side. Physiological characteristics of the sheep arc being investigated in co-operation with other bodies, such as the Animal Breeding Research Department of Edinburgh University, and the Jvo.wcM Institute, Aberdeen. The scheme of wool research is therefore of a very wide and comprehensive character, otherwise little progress can- be made, since in all matters the economic factor must be considered. IMPORTANT INVESTIGATIONS. Attention is first directed to those qualities of wool which all'cct its spinning power, and in this direction considerable progress has been made during the last twelve months. It has been shown in tho association's report that not only does the thickness of the fibre greatly influence ils spinning power, but also that it Is inaccurate to speak of "diameter" both as regards thickness and contour. The words "cross-section" should always be used. Actual experiment and measurement has demonstrated that in the case of a greasy wool the contour is far more even and approximates more closely to the circular than in tho case of a dry wool of similar quality. Examination of crimp has led to considerable information regarding the relationship of crimp und fibre thickness, and may possibly elucidate several points of the highest importance to tho industry. An investigation of the swelling of wool fibres under the influence of different media has shown that certain processes in tho industry arc related to this phenomenon. Results are already accruing in connection with a possible explanation of certain phenomena in milling, together with the effects of the alkalinity or acidity of tho liquors in which the wool is actually worked. It is thus seen that research work on the fibre itself is leading to discoveries ■of considerable moment to the user of the wool in tho manufacturing processes, and when these facts arc fully elucidated aud established they will be of immense value- to the trade and to the wool produced, since he will then know the relative value to the manufacturer of the various properties of the fibre he produces, and may be able, by certain courses of treatment, nutrition, breeding, etc., to enhance the most valuable and attempt to eliminate those qualities which, for a particular purpose, may be derogatory to the manufacturing value of the fibre. A UNIFIED AIM. Tho task ahead is enormous, and any system of wool research that is to bo developed must be imperial in character. The value of wool to the Home country as a raw material and to tho Empire as an agricultural product is very groat, and it is essential that if the pro-om-inenco of tho woollen and worsted industries in tho economic structure of the Empire is to bo maintained, there should bo closer contact between producer and user, with a unified aim; namely, to co-operate in the production of a final article, which, throughout its wholo treatment, from the mating of the parent sheep to tho finishing of the fabric, shall have been manipulated on the most scientific lines. Tho introduction of methods of! precision into any industry would naturally moan tho development of a higher and moro intelligent typo of artisan and worker. It is essential, therefore, th.at alongside any scheme of wool research tho closest contact should bo maintained with those technical colleges and institutions which exist for "" tho training of tho young workers who will take their places in tho mills. With a, view to maintaining this contact, the Research Association is inaugurating a j .Research co-ordinating Committee which \ will include in its membership those professors and workers in textile institutions upon whoso shoulders will fall the onus of training the young mind in tho industry. This co-ordination between the technical institutions and the Research. Associatioa must be made

more effective, and the link much stronger. Baring the. past year tho Research Association lias inaugurated an Abstracting Service and Information Bureau by which all relevant, papers published in any part of the world arc carefully abstracted and the abstracts published to the members of tlio association who so desire it each mouth. This abstracting service must bo very considerably developed and can be of very great value, to those- engaged in textile education, as well as to both manufacturer and sheep-breeder. IMPERIAL RESEARCH. Besides this, the Research Association has arranged for the publication of papers by workers in the Dominions, notably by Professor Duerden (South Africa) and by Dr. Dry (New Zealand). It is thus seen that a scheme of Imperial wool research, in close co-operation, with the Dominion workers, is actuallytaking shape, ana it is hoped that when tho Dominions have a more definite stake in the work at "Torridon" tho link between the manufacturer and the producer will be strongly forged in. scientific fact. In point of actua.i services to the trade, it is worthy of note that during the past twelve months there has been a great increase in the number of trade problems put forward. Nearly four hundred were dealt with during the year, and it is significant of the valuo of this work that, in tho first months of 1929, the number has been double that of the previous year. Most useful information is derived from, these problems, and this mutual assistance between tlio staff and the industry itself is of undoubted value. Dr. Barker describes in detail the work of the various departments under the headings of biology, microbiology, physics, chemistry, colour, technology, woollon carding and spinning, worsted spinning, economics, and finally makes a reference to tho Dominion tour by Dr. J. E. Nichols of tho association.