There are, of course, innumerable grades from each source, priced according to quality. And there are certain years when, like vintage wines, the wool is of outstanding excellence.

This usually happens when the sheep have been through an unusually long, cold winter.

The yarn in your carpet is never made from the wool of just one of these countries. It is always a blend, or mix, because each type has certain desirable and necessary qualities.

Scotch and Chinese wool is very strong and durable, Indian wool has great resiliency, while South American wool is long and extremely glossy.

The mix is prepared according to formula, depending on the quality, weight and type of yarn required for a given fabric. Naturally a larger percentage of the best and most expensive wools usually goes into the best and most expensive fabrics.