Volume 71: Macarthur family papers relating to wool and sheep, 1820-1936: No. 179
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[Page 179]
but sends it to Market lightly piled in a covered Waggon. This perhaps accounts for the German practice of having such large Bales. I have observed that the Surface of our wool is generally dry & dusty. The operation of washing here described requires the assistance of from 18 to 20 men.
Mr. Schulze washing place is considered the best in Saxony. Many proprietors who have not this convenience take their Sheep to be washed in it. Others wash them in natural Ponds of water, the mud at the bottom is not of much consequence as it beats out of the Fleece when dry, but there must be stands for men in the water to prevent accidents to the Sheep as they are soon exhausted in the Water.
The temperature of the Air at the washing Season should be from 130 to 150 of Reamur [Réaumur] 61 or 67 Fahrenheit. Mr. Schulze often postpones his washing many days until the temperature of the water be sufficiently high, for cold water invariably makes the Wool grey.
It has been observed that much of the Wool from N.S. Wales was put up damp. This gives it a bad smell.