Studies on the variation within the fleece of the characteristics of South African Merino wool. I. Tensile strength

The tensile strength of the wool grown on six regions on each of eight sheep was determined. Significant differences between the regions were obtained. In all eases the tensile strength of the belly wool was considerably lower than that of the rest of the fleece. This point was further investigated with six groups of ten sheep each, and it was found that in the case of every group the shoulder sample had a higher tensile strength than the belly sample, the mean difference being highly significant. This finding strengthens the National Wool Growers' Association's recommendation that belly wool should be baled and sold separately from the rest of the fleece. It was further suggested that the belly wool should be excluded in assessing the average tensile strength of the wool of a sheep. Differences in tensile strength between the wool from other regions of the sheep were found to be insignificant, but the highest values were obtained on the shoulder and back and the lowest on the thigh. It was concluded that the shoulder sample should be used for assessing the tensile strength of the wool grown by a sheep, especially in comparisons between different sheep, since differences between the value for the shoulder sample and that of the whole fleece showed the smallest variability. The total correlation coefficient between tensile strength and fibre fineness was -0•4168, a highly significant value.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

A study of the compressibility of wool, with special reference to South African merino wool

1. A study has been made of the resistance offered by wool samples to compression at 65 per cent. relative humidity and 70°F. (21.1°C.) temperature. The study has been based mainly on results obtained with the "Pendultex" instrument, designed by Henning (1934), but some additional determinations were made by means of a static cylinder and piston method. 2. A relation has been derived whereby the work done in compressing a wool sample in the "Pendultex" apparatus may be calculated from the number of swings during which the amplitude is reduced from one fixed value to another. 3. During the final constant cycle of compression by the static method, the pressure bears to the inverse cube of the volume a linear relation. With the dynamic method, the law is obeyed by the first compression. 4. The pressure-volume relation is discussed from a theoretical point of view, and it shown that the inverse cube law may be derived on the basis of certain assumptions. An approximate value of Young's modulus by bending can be calculated. 5. An empirical exponential relation between pressure and volume is considered. 6. It is concluded that since the density of packing is not uniform at low degrees of compression, results obtained at low pressures should not be considered together with those obtained at higher pressures, where the density of packing is more uniform and the pressure-volume relation follows the inverse cube law. 7. The method of expressing compressibility and resilience by means of the work done during compression and release is discussed. It is concluded that in the comparison of different wools the work done should be evaluated between volume limits. 8. A marked reduction in resistance to compression with the adsorption of water has been found. 9. Fibre length has no influence on the resistance to compression down to staple lengths of approximately one inch. 10. No correlation has been found between resistance to compression and fibre thickness. Although this result agrees with theoretical expectation, a highly significant partial correlation coefficient of +0.4330 is obtained when the effect of crimping is allowed for. It has been concluded, either that the fibre thickness has a positive influence which is masked by the crimping, or that fibre thickness is correlated with other factors, besides the crimping, which influence resistance to compression. 11. A highly significant positive correlation coefficient has been found between the resistance to compression and the number of crimps per inch. Possible ways in which the crimping can influence the resistance to compression are discussed. 12. For wools whose fineness and crimping agree with Duerden's standards, the resistance to compression increases with the quality number. Wools which are coarser than the crimps indicate have a higher resistance to compression than wools which are finer than the crimps indicate. 13. A significant partial correlation between resistance to compression and variability in fibre thickness has been found, but the coefficient is probably too small to be an important factor in breeding. 14. No correlation exists between the resistance to compression of a sample and the surface friction of its component fibres. It is concluded that the crimping is a more important factor in controlling fibre slippage during compression. 15. No correlation has been found between the resistance to compression of a sample and the tensile strength of the fibres. There are, however, factors which may influence one of these attributes and not the other, thus masking a possible correlation. 16. Samples presumed to have been selected for specific gravity by a sheep and wool expert were found to have been selected for resistance to compression. It is recommended that the term specific gravity should not be employed in wool practice. 17. Fibre thickness was the main factor to determine the harshness of two sets of samples as subjectively estimated. Resistance to compression and the non-wool fleece constituents were less important, though definite, factors. Harshness is, therefore, determined by the resistance to bending of individual fibres, rather than by the resistance to compression of the mass as a whole. An increase in tl1e surface friction of the fibres is responsible for the increased harshness of alkali treated wool. 18. Dipping wool in a lime-sulphur dip has no effect on the resistance to compression. 19. The variation in resistance to compression over the fleece has been studied and the major part of the variation found to be associated with the variation in fibre thickness and crimping. The results are discussed in relation to sampling in experimental work. 20. There is a highly significant negative correlation between the resistance to compression and the percentage clean yield of the fleece, and a highly significant negative correlation between percentage yield and number of crimps per inch, and no correlation between percentage yield and fibre thickness. 21. No difference in the average resistance to compression of fleece of rams and ewes could be found. It is concluded that differences observed in practice are duo to selection of stud rams for the ''substance'' of their wool. 22. On the average, the resistance to compression of the wool increases with the age of the sheep for the first four years, and the increase can be associated almost entirely with the increase in fibre thickness. 23. In a feeding experiment, the plane of nutrition had no effect on the resistance to compression of the wool in spite of a marked effect on the fibre thickness. 24. The distribution of resistance to compression is considered, and it is shown that South African Merino wool covers a range of at least 3:1 in this attribute. 25. The bearing of the correlations found on wool practice, with special reference to breeding, is discussed. 26. Possible results of breeding for "substance" are considered, and the desirability of breeding for this attribute is regarded with some doubt. 27. The importance of breeding for uniformity is stressed. 28. Support is given to a scheme of fleece recording in stud breeding, and emphasis is laid on the necessity of employing exact methods of measuring wool characteristics. 29. The establishment of a wool testing house in South Africa is recommended.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African merino wool. III. Moisture adsorption

The adsorption of moisture at various relative humidities by ten samples representing different types of South African Merino wool was investigated. The samples differed significantly in absorptive powers. At 90 per cent. relative humidity the extreme values of 24.0 per cent. and 22.3 per cent. with a mean value of 22.8 per cent. were obtained. At 97.5 per cent. relative humidity the corresponding values were 28.3 per cent. and 27.4 per cent., showing a smaller difference than at 90 per cent. relative humidity. The highest values were obtained in the case of an extremely hairy sample, and the lowest in the case of a sample of the "ropy" type. The use of a standard sample for estimating the dry weights of samples is discussed. It is concluded that the method is suitable where an accuracy greater than 0.2 per rent. is not required, provided that samples of the hairy and “ropy” types are not included.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African merino wool. II. Specific gravity

1. The specific gravity of 54 samples of South African Merino wool from various wool-growing areas was determined. Significant differences occurred among these samples. 2. The mean value was 1.3052 at 25°C., water at 4°C. with a standard deviation of ±0.0035 and a coefficient of variability of ± 0.27 per cent. 3. A series of samples presumed to have been selected for differences in specific gravity were analysed. The results were inconclusive. 4. No correlation between the specific gravity and the fibre fineness of the samples was obtained. 5. The influence of variations in specific gravity on the determination of fibre fineness by the weight-length method is discussed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African Merino wool IV. Scaliness

A study of the scaliness of South African Merino wool samples showed that the percentage differences in friction between the two directions varied from 3.0 per cent. to 130 per cent. At 70 per cent. relative humidity and 70°F. the mean was 66.0 per cent., the standard deviation 17.6 per cent. and the coefficient of variability 26.6 per cent. No difference in scaliness between different fineness groups within a staple was obtained. Between samples, however, a significant negative correlation of -0.3428 between percentage difference in friction and fibre fineness was obtained. The value obtained for a sample was concluded to be characteristic of the sample, and not of any particular group of fibres used for the determination. The regression coefficient of percentage difference in friction on fibre fineness was -2.30, a significant value, showing that on the average the percentage difference in friction decreases by 2.30 per cent. for every micron increase in the fibre fineness of the sample. The values for coefficient of friction for the different quality numbers of South African Merino wool are given. Wool from rams gave a lower value for scaliness concordant with a coarser wool. The scaliness of the wool grown by three sheep on constant feed decreased with age, though no corresponding changes in fibre fineness occurred.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Studies on the basic characteristics of South African merino wool. I. Breaking strength and tensile strength

A series of South African Merino wool samples, representing wools from different parts of the Union, was analysed for breaking strength and tensile strength. The method of determination, using Doehner's instrument, consisted of bundle tests, this giving average values for larger samples and lots. A portion of the analysis is devoted to the breaking strength and tensile strength of fibres within the same staple. It is shown that the average breaking strength of the coarse fibres within the staple is 6.66 (± .504) grammes. That of the fine fibres is 4.38 (± .300) grammes, so that the course fibres are 52 per cent. stronger per fibre than the fine fibres. The practical significance of this is discussed. Breeding aspects are discussed and it is shown that the Merino breeder, in striving for uniformity of fibre fineness, will tend to attain uniformity in fibre length and also in the breaking strength of the fibres. The average tensile strength of the coarse fibres within the staple is 1.32 (± 0·058) and that of the fine fibres is 1·46 (± ·070), (expressed as grammes per square cm. x 10⁶). When fibres within the same staple are considered, there is a significant correlation of · 9508 ( ± · 7938) between fibre diameter and breaking strength and a significant negative correlation of - ·4822 ( ± ·0456) between fibre diameter and tensile strength. The average breaking strength (per fibre) of representative South African Merino wool samples ranges from 1 to 11 grammes with a mean of 5 ·50 grammes. The tensile strength of South African .Merino wool varies from 0 · 6 to 1· 6 ( x 10⁶) grammes per square centimetre with an average of 1· 243 ( x 10⁶) grammes per square centimetre of fibre. The latter figure can also be expressed as 8 tons per square inch or 12 · 4 kilogrammes per square millimeter of fibre. When different samples are considered there is a significant correlation (r = 0 · 896 ± 0 · 0186) between fibre fineness and breaking strength, but an insignificant correlation ( r= -0.1780±0.0911) between fibre fineness and tensile strength. The regression coefficient of the breaking load on fibre fineness is 0 · 445 ( ± · 0208) indicating that, on an average, every increase of 1µ in fibre fineness is associated with an increase of 0 · 445 grammes in the breaking strength.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

The effect of supplements of different forms of sulphur to the diet upon the wool of Merino sheep

(1) Six groups of young wethers were kept on a production ration for two years. During the second year five of the groups received supplements of sulphur and of compounds containing sulphur, the sixth group acting as control. The grease weights, clean weights and yield percentages of the fleeces, and the mean fibre lengths, mean fibre thickness, and mean fibre weights of shoulder samples were determined (2) The sheep were fed in individual feeding boxes, except for the hay, which was given ad lib. (3) The following supplements were dosed daily, except Sundays: a. Group I : No supplement b. Group II : Cystine c. Group III : Sulphates d. Group IV : KCNS e. Group V : 5gm sulphur f. Group VI : 0.12 gm sulphur (4) There was no significant difference between the groups, showing that there was no response to any of the supplements, as regards the above mentioned wool attributes.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590;300dpi. adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Wool studies. I. The variation and interdependence of Merino fleece and fibre characteristics

1. A statistical analysis is given of the fleece and certain fibre attributes of a shoulder sample of a group of wethers sent from Grootfontein to Onderstepoort for experimental purposes. The data comprise values obtained for three successive years. 2. It is shown that a considerable decrease occurred in the mean values from the first to the second year, and then again an increase to mean values exceeding those existing in the first year. The nature of the change in fibre thickness is given in more detail. 3. The values obtained for each characteristic in the different years are highly correlated, from which fact is deduced the importance of a pre-experimental period. 4. The correlation coefficients between the fleece weight and the fibre attributes are, though significant, not very high, and. the shoulder sample is, therefore, a poor indication of the total amount of wool produced. 5. The ratios of the standard deviations to the corresponding mean values of the group were constant for the three years. 6. Within a shoulder sample a high correlation exists between the coefficients of variability of fibre length for two years, and also between the coefficients of variability of fibre length and fibre thickness for the same year. 7. The interrelationships of the changes in the various attributes are given. 8. The bearing of the above results on experiments in which wool is being investigated, is discussed.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590;300dpi. adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

Wool studies III. The uniformity of a series of fibre thickness measurements on a small sample of medium Merino wool

The fibre diameter of wool, being either directly or indirectly associated with a variety of other characteristics, is required in the majority of problems in wool research. It is essential, therefore that the procedure of sampling and the technique of preparing wool for diameter measurement should be placed on a fundamentally sound basis. Various characteristic properties of the material however, complicate the establishment of a sound technique of sampling wool as such does not readily permit a random selection of in individual fibres and any endeavour to select a representative sample of fibres by personal judgment is bound to be biased. In wool studies sampling is absolutely necessary since the preparation of the whole available material for the measurement of fibre diameter is not only practically impossible in other than very small quantities of wool, but also undesirable because it renders the material useless for further investigation.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format.Includes bibliographical referencesab201

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1284–1382

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antartica, Cladosporium austrolitorale from coastal sea sand. Australia, Austroboletus yourkae on soil, Crepidotus innuopurpureus on dead wood, Curvularia stenotaphri from roots and leaves of Stenotaphrum secundatum and Thecaphora stajsicii from capsules of Oxalis radicosa. Belgium, Paraxerochrysium coryli (incl. Paraxerochrysium gen. nov.) from Corylus avellana. Brazil, Calvatia nordestina on soil, Didymella tabebuiicola from leaf spots on Tabebuia aurea, Fusarium subflagellisporum from hypertrophied floral and vegetative branches of Mangifera indica and Microdochium maculosum from living leaves of Digitaria insularis. Canada, Cuphophyllus bondii fromagrassland. Croatia, Mollisia inferiseptata from a rotten Laurus nobilis trunk. Cyprus, Amanita exilis oncalcareoussoil. Czech Republic, Cytospora hippophaicola from wood of symptomatic Vaccinium corymbosum. Denmark, Lasiosphaeria deviata on pieces of wood and herbaceousdebris. Dominican Republic, Calocybella goethei among grass on a lawn. France (Corsica) , Inocybe corsica onwetground. France (French Guiana) , Trechispora patawaensis on decayed branch of unknown angiosperm tree and Trechispora subregularis on decayed log of unknown angiosperm tree. Germany, Paramicrothecium sambuci (incl. Paramicrothecium gen. nov.)ondeadstemsof Sambucus nigra. India, Aureobasidium microtermitis from the gut of a Microtermes sp. termite, Laccaria diospyricola on soil and Phylloporia tamilnadensis on branches of Catunaregam spinosa. Iran, Pythium serotinoosporum from soil under Prunus dulcis. Italy, Pluteus brunneovenosus on twigs of broad leaved trees on the ground. Japan, Heterophoma rehmanniae on leaves of Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis. Kazakhstan, Murispora kazachstanica from healthy roots of Triticum aestivum. Namibia, Caespitomonium euphorbiae (incl. Caespitomonium gen. nov.)from stems of an Euphorbia sp. Netherlands, Alfaria junci, Myrmecridium junci, Myrmecridium juncicola, Myrmecridium juncigenum, Ophioceras junci, Paradinemasporium junci (incl. Paradinemasporium gen. nov.), Phialoseptomonium junci, Sporidesmiella juncicola, Xenopyricularia junci and Zaanenomyces quadripartis (incl. Zaanenomyces gen. nov.), fromdeadculmsof Juncus effusus, Cylindromonium everniae and Rhodoveronaea everniae from Evernia prunastri, Cyphellophora sambuci and Myrmecridium sambuci from Sambucus nigra, Kiflimonium junci, Saro cladium junci, Zaanenomyces moderatricis academiae and Zaanenomyces versatilis from dead culms of Juncus inflexus, Microcera physciae from Physcia tenella, Myrmecridium dactylidis from dead culms of Dactylis glomerata, Neochalara spiraeae and Sporidesmium spiraeae from leaves of Spiraea japonica, Neofabraea salicina from Salix sp., Paradissoconium narthecii (incl. Paradissoconium gen. nov.)from dead leaves of Narthecium ossifragum, Polyscytalum vaccinii from Vaccinium myrtillus, Pseudosoloacrosporiella cryptomeriae (incl. Pseudosoloacrosporiella gen. nov.)fromleavesof Cryptomeria japonica, Ramularia pararhabdospora from Plantago lanceolata, Sporidesmiella pini from needles of Pinus sylvestris and Xenoacrodontium juglandis (incl. Xenoacrodontium gen. nov. and Xenoacrodontiaceae fam. nov.)from Juglans regia. New Zealand, Cryptometrion metrosideri from twigs of Metrosideros sp., Coccomyces pycnophyllocladi from dead leaves of Phyllocladus alpinus, Hypoderma aliforme from fallen leaves Fuscopora solandri and Hypoderma subiculatum from dead leaves Phormium tenax. Norway, Neodevriesia kalakoutskii from permafrost and Variabilispora viridis from driftwood of Picea abies. Portugal, Entomortierella hereditatis from abio film covering adeteriorated limestone wall. Russia, Colpoma junipericola from needles of Juniperus sabina, Entoloma cinnamomeum on soil in grasslands, Entoloma verae on soil in grasslands, Hyphodermella pallidostraminea on a dry dead branch of Actinidia sp., Lepiota sayanensis onlitterinamixedforest, Papiliotrema horticola from Malus communis , Paramacroventuria ribis (incl. Paramacroventuria gen. nov.)fromleaves of Ribes aureum and Paramyrothecium lathyri from leaves of Lathyrus tuberosus. South Africa, Harzia combreti from leaf litter of Combretum collinum ssp. sulvense, Penicillium xyleborini from Xyleborinus saxesenii , Phaeoisaria dalbergiae from bark of Dalbergia armata, Protocreopsis euphorbiae from leaf litter of Euphorbia ingens and Roigiella syzygii from twigs of Syzygium chordatum. Spain, Genea zamorana on sandy soil, Gymnopus nigrescens on Scleropodium touretii, Hesperomyces parexochomi on Parexochomus quadriplagiatus, Paraphoma variabilis from dung, Phaeococcomyces kinklidomatophilus from a blackened metal railing of an industrial warehouse and Tuber suaveolens in soil under Quercus faginea. Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Inocybe nivea associated with Salix polaris. Thailand, Biscogniauxia whalleyi oncorticatedwood. UK, Parasitella quercicola from Quercus robur. USA , Aspergillus arizonicus from indoor air in a hospital, Caeliomyces tampanus (incl. Caeliomyces gen. nov.)fromoffice dust, Cippumomyces mortalis (incl. Cippumomyces gen. nov.)fromatombstone, Cylindrium desperesense from air in a store, Tetracoccosporium pseudoaerium from air sample in house, Toxicocladosporium glendoranum from air in a brick room, Toxicocladosporium losalamitosense from air in a classroom, Valsonectria portsmouthensis from airinmen'slockerroomand Varicosporellopsis americana from sludge in a water reservoir. Vietnam, Entoloma kovalenkoi on rotten wood, Fusarium chuoi inside seed of Musa itinerans , Micropsalliota albofelina on soil in tropical evergreen mixed forest sand Phytophthora docyniae from soil and roots of Docynia indica. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes