The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

the same temperature as the soapy washing water so the wool fibers would not shrink (Reser, par. 24). Felting the wool fibers would help as it would tangle the wool fibers and make it very difficult to untangle them or make them useful again. Understanding the intricacies of wool washing helps to understand Martha’s reference to the men washing wool in the creek. Washing the wool in the creek would be a cold water wash to remove the dirt, dust, and whatever else stuck in the wool not removed by washing the sheep before shearing. Knowing about sheep and sheep shearing brings an understanding to what Martha talks about during her mentions of the men going up to the sheep pasture, sheep shearing, washing the wool. Understanding a method for caring for sheep using sheep dogs gives a picture of what the Packer Sheep pasture, or other pastures Mr. Mc had sheep in, looked like. Knowing how sheep shearing and wool washing works gives an appreciation to the hard work the men accomplished in a few weeks. Information about sheep gives an insight into Martha’s life and the life on the McMillan farm. 77