Volume 71: Macarthur family papers relating to wool and sheep, 1820-1936: No. 175
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[Page 175]
Author's experience has taught him, that the better Plan is to dip Sheep overnight, and to be careful that the Fleeces are thoroughly wetted, in order that during the night, the Dirt may be Sufficiently softened, and yield readily to the hand next day
Care must be taken that the Points of the wool do not dry before the final washing, otherwise the wool will be injured by the hardening of the Dirt. It is very prejudicial to it also to expose the Sheep to the rays of the sun, immediately they come out of the water. The wool dries too quickly and the points adhere as if pasted together. It is particularly so with wool that has a tendency to curl. Sheep should, therefore, be driven to a shady place, until their fleeces cease to drip, and the points begin to dry.
However carefully a Flock may have been washed, it will lose its brilliancy of Fleece, if it remains unshorn many days, after washing, a practice with many proprietors who thus seek to regain lost weight.
The washing place ought not to be near trees of an astringent nature. Their