. The fundamentals of live stock judging and selection . Livestock. FLEECE CHARACTERISTICS 379 and condition of an animal the first examination should reveal the true condition and value of the fleece. Quality.—^The quality of a fleece is determined by the fine- ness of the fiber, the closeness of the crimp, and the softness or phability of the staple. The fineness has reference to the size of the fiber. This is very closely associated with the crimp, which should be close and uniform in contradistinction to the open-spiralled fleece of the long-wool breeds. A diseased or ill-fed sheep usually
. The fundamentals of live stock judging and selection . Livestock. FLEECE CHARACTERISTICS 379 and condition of an animal the first examination should reveal the true condition and value of the fleece. Quality.—^The quality of a fleece is determined by the fine- ness of the fiber, the closeness of the crimp, and the softness or phability of the staple. The fineness has reference to the size of the fiber. This is very closely associated with the crimp, which should be close and uniform in contradistinction to the open-spiralled fleece of the long-wool breeds. A diseased or ill-fed sheep usually has a very objectionable fleece because of weakness. Fig. 158.—Method of examining the character, quality and condition of the fleece. Wool should be parted at a natural opening. Fingers'should be kept close together to avoid ruffling wool. of fiber and irregularity in the crimp. In a healthy, well- fed sheep the crimp is uniform, while otherwise it is long and wavy. An irregular growth is undesirable because of the lack of uniform fineness and strength of fiber. If a sheep remains in an unhealthy condition for any great length of time, the wool retains a weak place which usually reduces the value very materially. Wool with a perceptible weakness goes in a class for shorter stapled wools. In making an examination of the quality of a fleece, the fineness and closeness of crimp should be carefully deter- mined as well as the condition of the fiber. The softness Digitized by Microsoft®. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Curtis, Robert Seth, 1881-. Philadelphia ; New York : Lea & Febiger
Size: 2096px × 1193px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectlivesto, bookyear1915
