Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 245]

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237 Now if the average diameter of the sample under consideration be substituted for D in the formula, and the decimal value of 16/D2 be found, it will of course be a constant for that sample. Multiplying the observed strains for the sample by this decimal, we obtain strains corresponding with a diameter of 4 centimillimetres. Then by tabulating, etc., as before, the averages are completed. Comparing in this way the averages of samples from different parts of a single fleece, the following conclusions were arrived at. 1. Fibres taken from the shoulder having common diameter and equal weight are considerably stronger than the average for the fleece. 2. The shoulder is therefore the most valuable part of the fleece by weight. 8. The relative economic values of the different parts are as follows, from greatest to least: shoulder, side, hip, belly. 4. Fibres taken from the side closely approximate the average for the entire fleece. 5. The belly is much the least valuable part of the fleece. Of course these deductions may be modified by applying the same method to a large number of fleeces belonging to different breeds or even of the same breed, as the general results given in another part of this paper will show. Modifications due to age and sex of the animal represented would doubtless also occur. With all the results we already have, further tests must therefore be made with a sufficient number of samples of the same kind to definitely determine the relations here shown. In fact, more extended results determined and represented in a slightly different way do show that this relation varies decidedly in different sexes of the -same breed, for while in ram's wool the order ranges hip, shoulder, side, in the ewe's wool it ranges hip, side, shoulder. These conclusions cannot therefore be accepted as absolute for this breed, nor for wool m general, but they are of interest as illustrating the application of the method to the sample in question. Applying the same method to the results for the five different breeds the wools of which were made the special subject of study, averages were obtained which led to the following conclusions: 1. Southdown wool is much stronger than that of any other of the breeds considered. 2. It is consequently more valuable, pound for pound for manufacturing purposes, where only the weight of the goods is to be taken into account. 8. And if the manufactured goods are made of the same weight, f those composed of Southdown wool should be much stronger and more durable for the same cost. 4. If all are to be of equal strength the Southdown fabrics will •"be considerably lighter and cheaper than others, allowing greater profit provided the wool is produced at the same price per pound. 5. Cotswold wool is the weakest, requiring more weight for equal •strength.