THE FARMERS' WOOL CLIP.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9254, 2 December 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE FARMERS' WOOL CLIP.

In the nuetropoli'au marked the farmers' wool does not always realise the best prices. Often a little dissatisfaction is felt that two adjoining farmers do not succeed in obtaining the same price for their clip. The cause is seldom sought after, though there may be a arood one. Inquiring the cause why the farmers' wool is not looked upon with the greatest favour, the answer usually given is that the contents of each bale vary bo much in quality. For instance, one bale may consist of two or three different varieties, and the purchasei has no idea what proportion of each may be present. Testing the bale as usually done it is quite possible to come upon the best samples, as the producer in BOtne instances is not totally ignorant of the best way of packing the fleeces to the j beat advantage. Very inferior staple may bo hidden in the centre of the bale. When this bale is opened up and the fraud detected, there can be little wonder that the same purchaser io the future will exercise more than usual cant ion in the purchase of such clips. Of course, Ido not mean to insinuate that such dishonest actions are at all prevalent, but that they are occasionally discovered cannot be denied. Some farmers have the pernicious habit of rearing sheep of varying degrees of breed, from a pure blood merino all along the line to a pure Lincoln. Of this mixed flock the number may not exceed 150, yielding about sufficient wool to fill three bales. This wool ia seldom classified for the London market. The bellies and the mereßt skirtings are kept apart, and the rest well mixed up. No fair criterion can be obtained of the whole bulk. The purchaser may take the worst sample before hioQ as a basis upon which to regulate his biddings, and if the full value is not obtained, the. farmer ought not to feel at all surprised an to' the. cause. To obtain the best prices the wool should be properly eorfcd, and yet on many faruiß, to do this would be a matter of some difficulty, owing to the want pf a person on the place possessing the necessary knowledge. At one time,tbe washing of .sheep befote shearing was followed with unfailing regularity, but of late years it hag fallen into disuse. The work as performed was of a most unsatisfactory .nature, owing in a great measure to the absence of proper appliances. The sheep were tossed into the tank and then rubbed ia such places where the wool - appeared darkest, and then let go. The whole of the wool was thoroughly saturated, and much of the yolk carried away, but the oleansing was very imperfectly performed. Io o.her instances soap, or a preparation lor the same purpose, is used, and the wool thorr oughly cleansed, it is a work that requires a little special knowledge, although it may appear very Bimple. If the work cannot be done properly it is better left alone ; in fact, same authorities believe it IE, more satisfactory to shear the wool ia tho grease, and dispose of it ri^bt away.. Since sheep are not washed, some little attention should be given towards keeping the wool clean during the year. The presence ef ticks, of couis->, receives the first consideration. B 3 all means have these parasites removed, Binoe their presence tends towards the impoverifiiition of both flesh and woo). Sheep infested with ticks are continually rubbing against convenient objects; no distinction beiau made between the clean an t the dirty, the charcoal covered log a-d the ordinury limb. Any object of stability serves the same purpose. In the first instance, remove the cause by having the sheep dipped a few times in the year, so as to destroy atl the parasites in the various stages. In the next place, all the charred timber should be removed, where practicable. And at those seasons of. tho year when most oi the Bheep are handled for the purpose oi removing accumulation of excretion from the wool, surne regard should be paid towards Keeping the remaining portion clean. The same admonition is applicable to the shearing season. When the shearing is proceeding, tht clip off the sheep should be gathered ur. iatact, aud with a dexterous cast, throvvt

into position on the table. At hig sheds it is surprising to observe the nimbleness displayed by the lais ia erathering up the wool, and how well they are able to spread it on the table by one throw. When there, remove all the loose bits off the leas, and the coarse and dirty wool off the skirtin?. The bellies and top" knots, if any, are, in moat cas*-s, gathered up separately. After the work of skirting has been completed, throw together the projecting pieces of the fleece, rol) up tidily, and stack carefully. " But the string" you ask. Discard the string, for it does not add one fraction to the value of your wool, unless in tho increase of weight. Much unneeeesury time is spent in tying up a fleece without any eorrespondinr benefit ; the fluff off hemp string is injurious to wool, as it does not readily take the same dye. If you have sufficient wool, or likely to have sufficient wool for several bales, it would not be unwise to make an attempt at a little classification. Let the first selection consist of the beet wool in quality, as well as in strength. The fiaenees of the texture is easily discernible. Any ordinary shearer can give a tolerably accurate idea of the quality of the wool as it passes between the shears; there is a marked, differenc3 in the feel, particularly when of a silky nature. The seconl quality will, consist of the coarser kinds, where the staple is not of the best, and the grease is somewhat in excess. If there is likely to be a dozen baits or more, the classification maj T be extended, should there be nn unfortunate mixture of the sheep. For all practical purpoees, two kinds will be found sufficient. Apart from the different qualities of fleece-wool, the broken pieces may also be ; classified. When the skirting has been ' done thoroughly, a lot of wool is taken., away that is not far removed in quality from the ordinary fleece. It is far and away superior to the bellies and locks, and , unless the quan ity is sufficient to make a bale, or a little less perhaps, it is hardly woith while to remove it from the fleece. It is almost cmi to be uneven in quality, a<j not unfrequently sheep may have excellent quality wool on the body, and a covering on the thighs midway between ( hair and wool. Many an otherwise good animal fails towards the points indicated., The wool off the belly is kept separate, and may be of varying length. By careful | attention to proper breeding a large amount of wool may be obtained off the] belly. As may be inferred from its posi- j tion, it is rather coarse in quality and dark " in colour, arising from the presence of, ditt. An Australian writer on farmers', clips has suggested that it would be both; wise and profitable to wash all the bellies, ' locks, and sweepings, prior to sending to. market. This part of the wool may be put ' in soak for an hour or bo, and after freeing j ail the dirt, rinse in clean water. Afterwards pluce the wool on a clean tarpaulin , or sheeting, for the purpose of drying. ; Much wool tiaa be saved in this way that' generally goes to waste. ' No attempt, should be made towards washing the; fleecee, as, unless 7 the work is done well,' it h better left alone. As the wool-pack now stands, an altera- ' tion i«j required, in its sine for the benefit of the small farmer, so as to afford biro an opportunity for the classification of bis woqL . The present; wqo^paqks are too large ; a second" size^to hold about halt the amount, would be acceptable ; then the .fleece and locks could be kept separate as circumstances required.