LAMBS' WOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20862, 2 May 1931, Page 18

LAMBS' WOOL.

CHARACTERISTICS AND USES. The peculiar properties of lambs' wool, which render it suitable for the making of special fabrics and for hosiery purposes, are dealt with by a writer in the Wool Record, who says its fipecial characteristics are: Superior elasticity compared with full grown wool; the .diameter of the fibre is finer than it would be if shorn at a later period; the soft silky texture of the wool; its cleanness and freedom from foreign matter; its curly or spiral tip; the staples are comparatively short with a decided tapering appearance; and absence of binding fibres, resulting in very little union between the different staples. Merino lambs' wool is specially valued for its softness of handle, elasticity, and for the spinning property derived from its clinging nature. These features, combined with strength and durability, are requirements in the high class woollen underwear and flannel trades for which purposes it is extensively used. It is also largely employed for blending with silk, cotton and recovered fibres, such as shoddy, mungo and extract in association with which it supplies the soft handling character which is deficient in the cheaper materials.

In classing, it is stated, three or four sorts of lambs' wool are made from both Merino and longer wools. First Merino lambs' will consist of the best of the body wooJ from the oldest lambs, and should be long, light and bright. Second lambs' will bo made from the long body wool of the younger lambs. Third lambs' will comprise the skirtings and trimmings, and will be probably seedy and burry. If a superfine quality is made it should comprise only the portions of those fleeces showing outstanding quality, being the longest stapled, light in condition, very bright and attractive and freo from seeds and burrs. Crossbreds are classed in a similar manner; firsts, which are 56's to 58's quality, must be light, bright and good in length. Tho second crossbreds will be about 50's in' quality, but somewhat deficient in length, appearance and condition. Compared with firsts, thirds crossbred lambs would consist of strong fibred wool of a 40's to 46's quality.