HINTS FOR SHEARING

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3477, 13 October 1926, Page 11

HINTS FOR SHEARING

HANDLING OP THE WOOL. ROLLING AND SORTNG. The removal of tho fleece evenly, without second cuts, and keeping it whole docs not complete the work associated with shearing. In preparing wool for market it is essential that there should bo good light at the table used for rolling and sorting tho fleeces. Throwing tho fleece out properly greatly assists the work of skirting, etc. Any novice, with a little practice, and provided tho shearer has not allowed tho fleece to be broken or torn, can soon learn to spread the fleece on the table satisfactorily. To take up tho fleece correctly, the pickcr-up should place his feet together at tho neck end, and gather the fleece in until the rump end is reached. Take hold of the breech part with both hands apart, and progs the ilccco together. Then carry it to the wool table. Stand at the right hand end of the tabic, and throw the neck end of the fleece to the far end, and at tho same time as the fleece is settling down expand the arms and spread the rump end across the table. When' this is done properly, the different parts lie on the table in tho same relative positions as they occupied before shearing. When sheep are shorn correctly, the belly wool is taken off separately, picked up, and put with the other belly wool into its proper receptacle. Tho fleece, after having been spread on tho table, should be carefully shaken, so as to dislodge any small pieces adhering to it, Skirting and Rolling. Tho skirting is a matter of importance. If not done properly the value of the fleece wool is considerably reduced in some cases. First remove any stained parts and tho brisket ends. Then take off ail those portions around the skirt which aro burry, for no rbattcr how good the wool may be tho presence of burrs is detrimental. If there are no burrs skirt tho fleece lightly, taking off the worst edges and black fribs under the forearms and fl/hks. If any portion is skirted deeper it should be the lower end of tho breech, where the coarsest and worst wool is grown. Tho neck pieces and finer parts of tho skirting should be kept separate from those taken from the breech, and put into their proper receptacles. It is a mistake to let tho skirtings fall on the floor, and bo then broomed up into a heap to bo sorted over afterwards. When fleeces are heavily infested with burr, extending (as it docs sometimes) right on to the back, skirt very lightly, as it would bo impossible to remove all the burrs. The proper way to roll a fleece is to turn the neck end over about 12 inches, then tho side next to the roller, and then tho opposite side. Double over again, and roll lightly from the breech to tho neck.