Volume 71: Macarthur family papers relating to wool and sheep, 1820-1936: No. 178
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[Page 178]
As they are taken from the Water Canal, with their Fleeces thoroughly saturated with Water, they are put into a Fold, as close together as possible. The more heat can be generated the better, short of suffocating the Animals. The hard particles of grease & dirt are by this means Softened. After the operation let off the Water and Sweep the bottom of the Basin & Canal.
2nd Day. After the Sun has warmed the water a little, let the Sheep be Swam through as the day before; then if the Water be too dirty, let off about a foot of it, and replenish with fresh. Throw the Sheep in a second time. As they reach the point "A" where four men are placed they are fit for the last operation of scrubbing. Two Sheep are scrubbed at a time, and lifted up the Bank. After washing the Sheep are permitted to well dry upon clean straw or in the meadow. Some Proprietors allow them to sweat a day or two before Shorne. If Soap be used the loss in weight is very great and greater if the Fleeces be washed with it after Shearing.
Three and Four Hundred Sheep may the Second Day be thus washed in an Hour. Mr. Schulze never washes his Lambs, as at the Season of Shearing they are no more than four months old. He considers pressing the wool so injurious to it, that he never ever puts his into a Sack.