The second in a series of research papers examining the softness of fine Merino lamb's wool describes the results of on-farm work examining lamb's wool tips; comparing lamb's wool, cashmere, and regrowth wool; analyzing the development of fiber diameter distribution during growth; and evaluating fiber crimp, fiber diameter, fiber resistance to compression, and staple length. The mean resistance to compression of loose wool grown by one group of lambs during the first 100 days was approximately 20 percent lower than that of wool grown after this period. This early fiber growth region in shorn lamb's wool reduced resistance to compression and increased softness. The degree of softness depended on the time period the wool was grown. Wool fibers with higher staple lengths exhibited greater resistance to compression and staple crimp frequency. An objective measurement of the raw wool's resistance to compression was the best single indicator of the hand of scoured wool in loose fiber form. 13 refs.