The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-01-10 00:00:00

WOOL MARK EN.

Rev Mir Os Toot VotAit'a Trialia. -The year just past corn. I
Meowed with every prospect 14 peace and general prosperity ;
but the close of the 3 car shows us hut too plainly how such
confident anticipations have loom unhappily frustrated. The
wool trade opened with a fair lonialil and steady prices in
both the woollen and worsted branches, but ere the first two
months hat passed over a state of unaccountable heaviness
pervaded the manufacturing districts, with general weakness
in the pries% of the raw materiaL In April and May there was
some slight IMprovemeut, which, as prospects of a favourable
harvest became 111 unit-wt, was for a time strengthened, and
airsin hopes began to be entertained .if a better trade, but
without any material improvement in prism. This state of
things continued until the middle id July, when like a thunder
clap mine the declaration of war between France and Prussia,
which, for the moment. paralyzed every branch of trade, par-
ticularly in the manufacturing districts, which depend so
largely Co the prosperity of the two groat countries. This for
a time suspended all demand, and prices fur most descriptions
of wool became almost nominal. Stocks, however, with the
exception of Australia and River Plate wools were very light,
and holders did not unduly preys them on the market. This
gate of panic was fortunately not of long duration; the large
demand for blankets and army clothing gave an impetus to all
. . .

low foreign wools suitable for these goOd. ;,and the interruption,
In fact the almost entire cessation, of manufacture. in those
countries by this desolating war gave a stimulus W the home
trade, so that our manufacturers and spinners are now stain
pretty actively anil remuneratively einployoil. and prices
generally at the close of the year show, with few exceptions,
but little alteration from our last annual quotations, flow
long thin sanguinary and desol sting war is to last it would take
wi.er heads than our own to hazard any conjecture ; the won-
derful elasticity and immense ratiouretsi of the French nation
lead Us to fear, notwithstanding their sad reverses, that, with-
out some friendly intervention, it may.still be protrastei for

some Lime; and we eon only expresii • hope that we shall not
be forced into the politieal complications still hanging over
Europe and the East.—There has be n a drillgthif •M 1
factory trade in Knglish and Irish wools throughout the year,
with exceptional intervals. Prices had at one titue receded '
lid to 2tl per lb, but have since partially recovered, and doting
tbe last few weeks rather re animation has been evinced,
particularly in skin wool, and the new year may probably bring
more activity to this branch, but we do not anticipate any
inatcrinl advance upon present currentrites.—Mewrit. /lanes, ,
Coaeseentoroti. and Co., Liverpool.
ISRADFORD, •411.- There is a slight improvement noldissable
In the semi trade to-day. Business is being gradually re-
sumed, and consumers are once more looking round and
matting puchases for their regular corolumptioix Both demi.
Instre nether wools are in good ropiest, and low hog. are-
al.o inquired for. Priem of the sorts indkuttel are firlilef,
~uplers are obliged to demand higher ratee consequent on the
oneent tendency of wool In the country.
LOKDON, 6th—The tone of the wool market has continued
healthy. but at the same time there has not been much anima-
tion of the inquiry. Choice qualities still absorb the larger
share of attention, and command full pricee However, the
transactions arc limited, but at full currencies.
6/11.- Very little business has been done this week
attributahle partly to the holidays and partly to the want of
choke our market at present offers of any useful low kinds of
foreign wool. •
Ls,akrsool., 7th.—Market not very anima:oil this wee; the
small public sale*, however, held here on Fnday last were well
attended, and the Peruvian wool offered on that occasion found
buyers at somewhat improved rates. this class of wool being
mill in great demand for army clothing. The Imports for like
week amount to .2.1 i bales, and consist chiefly of East India
wool.
Tatorrox, 7th.—The transactions in wool were limited;
nevertheleis the tone of the market c intinued heathy, late
priests being well maintained. ttootations:—Notte wool, 124 d
tot!,! per lb.; crossbreds. ; and tag, lid.