Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 260]

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252 12. These results, taken in connection with the similarity of structure of the fibres in the several breeds shown elsewhere, indicate the possibility of profitable results in the crosses between the down breeds and the Merinos. 13. If we arrange the moduli of elasticity in order from highest to lowest, we find the grade wools stand in the following order:

Modulus of elasticity. % Merino,^? S o u t h d o w n ^/IGMerino, 4 16 S o u t h d o w n V % Merino, 4 /s S h r o p s h i r e , Vs S o u t h d o w n -/s Merino, /s S h r o p s h i r e , Vs Southdown.' % Merino, % S o u t h d o w n 'ar/ie Merino, 4/ie S o u t h d o w n , 3/i6 S o u t h d o w n A Merino, % S o u t h d o w n 100335 77700 74495 62500 61600 60441 58718

14. If we arrange the fineness from lowest average diameter in centimillimetres to highest, the several grades assume the following order: |4 A U O I U I U , \4 Southdown. Merino, | Merino, \ Southdown. \\ Merino, TV Southdown. 9 3 4 T e- Merino, T g- Southdown, T 6- Shropshire. f Merino, f Shropshire, 1 Southdown. | Merino, \ Southdown. f Merino, r% Shropshire, | Southdown. Other conclusions may doubtless be drawn from these figures. Our object has been principally to simply develop here the true value of the material represented, leaving to others the matter of the practical application of the results; but we believe they offer very much of encouragement to those especially interested in the combination of mutton production with the production of moderately fine wool. Here is simply a beginning of what should be done. The variations in the ultimate value of the staple by the infusion of coarser wooled blood and even in the fineness, is so slight as to appear almost insignificant. The first cross appears to have a marked influence upon the quality of the fibre, but the later crosses appear to produce very nearly an equilibrium with this regard. Consideration of the results of the tests of German wools developed the following conclusions: 1. In the Negretti wools there appears to be a decrease in diameter of the fibre, from the skin outward. 2. This variation is quite irregular, but may be as great as 20 per cent, of the entire diameter. 3. The larger number of the measurements appear to be below ihe average. 4. The Saxony wools appear to be finest at about the middle of their length, the variation being about the same as stated for Negretti wool.