MASSEY COLLEGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 July 1932, Page 2

MASSEY COLLEGE

MONTHLY BULLETIN WOOL QUALITY AND ITS IMPROVEMENT A SUGGESTION FOR THE WOOL INDUSTRY (By R. Waters.) The term “quality” is commonly used in connection with the coarseness and fineness of the fibres; hence wo speak of “Lincoln and strong quality Romney” and of “the finer crossbred qualities.” The term may also bo used—as in these remarks—with reference to the good and bad features of wool and without special reference to count. Differences in count as between one line and another _ are of course necessary to meet various demands, but similar differences amongst the fibres of the same fleece may constitute a distinctly “undesirable quality”—i|le difficulty in classing by no means being the major objection to such wool.

COARSE-GROWING AND FINEGROWING FIBRES Special methods have been developed for detecting and studying defects of this kind. Researches on behalf of the manufacturers in England have demonstrated that the variations to be met with in the diameters of different fibres constitute a most undesirable quality in wool —one that operates directly to' the detriment of certain important woollen manufactures. On the other hand, researches on behalf of the producers in New Zealand have traced this same quality in the fleeces of certain living sheep. The fleeces of these animals and of their offspring are the subject of exceedingly close investigation, the component fibres of such fleeces being capable of arrangement into definite groups, some of which can be recognised from the moment of birth. It can be said that certain Romneys have shown a strong tendency to produce fleeches with fibres or fibre groups that develop at vastly different rates. Nor is this the worst feature of this tendency, for not only are the slower growing fibres shorter, but they_ are also finer and weaker, and of different crimp to their more vigorous neighbours. Again, the longer fibres may not only be coarser, but may take on a hairy character. Marked variation in growth-rate and crimp naturally lead to confusion rather than order amongst the fibres of a fleece. Such a fleece, apart from being jumbled and unattractive in appearance, and of undesirable quality for certain manufactures, is probably less favourable to body development, being less efficient as a body insulator and as a protection agaiiist the weather. The loss of heat and therefore of weight, must be appreciable when a fleece fails to fulfil its natural functions. These inequalities of growth appear to be maintained irrespective of feeding and seasonal variations; thus whether the animal lias received a setback or not, the slower growing fibres still remain slow in relation to the growth of others. Their slowness appears to be a character of the actual follicles (or pockets in the skin) which produce them. This character would in fact appear to he an inheritable one that should be well understood in order to be intelligently

excluded. COARSENESS AND FINENESS IN THE SAME FIBRES So far reference lias been made only to differences in thickness, etc., between difference fibres or groups of fibres. Now let us turn to the coni sideration of differences in thickness : that are frequently met with at different parts of the same fibre. It is pot generally recognised how common is this quaiity in wool —the various forms that it assumes sometimes being regarded as separate defects, rather than as associated, and probably arising from somewhat similar causes. TENDERNESS The wool buyer who firmly grasps a lock at each end, and slowly exerts an" increasing strain upon it, is actually in of a place in the lock where the individual fibres are so much finer that they are noticeably weakerweak enough perhaps to be a distmet detriment on the machines at the manufactory for which he is buying. The defect is well-known as “tenderness. ’ The fibres at such a weak jpoint may be reduced in diameter to a degree scarcely to be detected, or more so even up to a point where they are less than half their proper diameter. Investigations at the College have shown that this defect is associated with a decrease in the rate of growth; that all or most of the fibres of a fleece may suffer in the same way at about the same time; that not all the sheep of a flock will show tenderness under the same conditions; but that of those that do show it, some will show it more than others, and all appear jbo show it about the same time of the year. The opinion is therefore held at present are tliat, whilst this defect appears directly connected with the feeding or other conditions prevalent at certain times of the year, yet it also is closely connected with a defect in the constitution or breeding of certain individual sheep.

BREAKS Again, the so-called “break” in woof, readily recognised by buyers and others on sight as a still more serious defect, would appear to be merely a more acute form of tenderness. The fibres about the affected part of a lock are seen not only to be very thin in diameter, but in some cases to come to an end—certain fibres having been actually sued .completely by the skin. The shedding of certain fibres in considerable quantities gives the characteristic space or thinness (in the density of the fibres) that appears in the locks where a break has occurred—a thinness which is seen gradually to be restored to normal density towards the skin from which a crop of new fibres has subsequently arisen when the conditions inducing the bieak have eased. This defect therefore likewise appears to be associated with decrease in rate of growth and to be both seasonal as well as constitutional or hereditary. | CUTTING | Finally, the “cotted fleece,” a common and most apparent defect greatly reducing market value, also appears connected with decrease ill rate of growth and due to seasonal and to constitutional or hereditary influences. In a comprehensive experiment made at the College, the rate of growth of j one ileece so affected dropped to the ; extent of ninety per cent, (of its former rate) during the period that the cot was being formed. Other fleeces under the same conditions''-dropped nothing like this amount, and some developed no obvious defect during the same period. It is easy to demonstrate that many of the fibres about a cot are considerably reduced in their thickness, and that many have been actually shed—their shed ends being tangled both with one another and witii fibres still connected with the skin. This tangle of fibres j

makes the fleece difficult or impossible to separate. Moreover, apart from the matted or tangled condition of a cotted fleece, other defects are liable to set in. In some cases it appears as if the matted condition actually presents an obstruction to the flow of yolk towards the tips of the locks; for the naturally free ends of the locks beyond the cot and leached, dry and devoid of yolk, while between the cot and the skin the yolk accumulates, and sometimes cakes and even stains the fleece to an extent that defies the best scouring processes.

SEASONAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL OR HEREDITARY DEFECTS All of the defects so far considered have been grouped under this heading because the study made of them has led to the opinion that they arise from like causes. These defects, though widespread and present in flocks of very different merit, are not uniformly obvious in different seasons or localities. Some seasons and localities more than others “find out” the more susceptible individuals because of the prevalence of contributory seasonal conditions. A precise knowledge of what these conditions ara might certainly be of immediate help towards raising our standard of quality —much could no doubt he done, at least with the last three defects, by improving the feed conditions. Such knowledge could probably not be applied without expense, which would recur as long as the tendency was allowed to exist. Nevertheless, experiments might wisely be made with hopeful measures applied at the time when these last three defects commonly occur —May to August. The first steps towards the eradication of this group of defects have been taken in the study of their nature and development, for it is of the first importance that they shall be readily detected even when their presence is inconspicuous: for minor tendencies are not unimportant in breeding.

Thereafter the introduction of these considerations into the general, and also into a special selection of breeding animals would be the course indicated; for individual susceptibility is commonly suggested as the basal cause, inasmuch as only a proportion of a flock is commonly affected, and there is also some evidence that it is the same portion that exhibits susceptibility in different years. TIME REQUIRED FOR IMPROVING FLOCKS The process of permanently improving the flocks of the Dominion in these respects must proceed simultaneously with aims to accomplish other requisite characters. Fortunately, these defects call more for the introduction of fresh knowledge and its careful application rather Qian great immediate expense ,and although improvements might be effected in the first year, yet several years would elapse before a broad attainment of ideals would commence to bo realised. This, however, should be regarded as the reason why early attempts should be made; for despite the unprecedented state of the market there is at present extraordinary scientific and practical activity devoted to wool and kindred problems both in the manufacturing and the producing countries of the world, and the demands will bo greater and the prospects will no doubt be better, for these countries which quickly enlarge their knowledge and promptly meet and overcome their prob. Jems.

SUMMARY Mention has now been made of one group comprising some of the commonest and best known defects in our wool, but there are still other important groups contributing as surely to dissatisfaction with our quality. No mention for instance has been made of “hairiness.” Sufficient, however, has been said to indicate that, in all classes, wool quality—by which we may expect to attract more purchasers to this country; by which we may reasonably hope to improve the confidence, the demand and the price, and eventually to restore in some appreciable measure the stupendous loss in annual revenue from what was once little short of our most remunerative industry; by which we may meet the scientific advance and future competition of other countries —is dependent for its improvement largely upon three points. Firstly, it depends upon a full appreciation of the nature, distribution, and causes of avoidable defects now operating against us; secondly, upon a wide application of the practical and scientific knowledge at our disposal immediately to effect or start all possible improvements; and, thirdly, upon the further discovery of the funda. mental principles with which to ensure that the past good work in improving the flocks of this country may be steadily maintained.