Density of the fleece is one of the primary factors determining the wool-producing capacity of the sheep. Sheepmen have attempted to evaluate density by handling the fleece. This method is not sufficiently refined for use in experimental work, and may be subject to errors and misinterpretations. For example, if two fleeces are alike in density and diameter of fibers, yet differ in length, the longer fleece will feel less dense. If, on this basis, the sheep with the fleece that appeared most dense were selected for breeding, selection would be away from the longer fleece. Any method that can be used to measure accurately the density of the fleece will be very useful in inheritance and wool production studies
