Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-06-04

WOOL.
NEW Yong. May 10Th, 1916.


NEw YoRx, May 10th, 1916.
Messrs. Hale &IIallock:
DEAR SIRs:-I have your favor of this days
date.-Such information as can give you on the
subject of your inquiry, Is at your service, for the
benefit of those interested
More than one half of all the American fleecc
Wool exported from the United States, of the last
years clip, was owned and shipped by myself and
by others having Joint interest with me. Inc pur-
chases were all made at the lowest point OF the sea,
son, beginning on the first day OF September, and
closing on the 22d day of October last. The re-
suit has been a nett loss Of 5000, and 1873 bales Of
wool yet unsod-equal only to the fraction of a
penny sterling on each pound Not fleece OF the
wool was sold to meet the payment of drafts drawn
against it, nor was any portion OF 1t unduly pressed
upon the market ;--and this loss arose from causes
unnecessary, easily avoided, and entirely within
the control of parties in this country
The prices of United States Fleece Wool are
affected very nuriousy in foreign markets by lis
unclean condition 1t contains too much oil, and
yolk, and dirt. The sheep are generally washed
with too little care, and run TO long after washing
before shearing. A large portion of the wool from
this cause must pass through the hands of those
who sort it and scour it in soap and water, before
1t is sold to the manufacturers.
The wool itself is of superior staple, and while
upon the sheep is inferior to other in the world,
of equal grades and it may be safely stated, that
seVerv pound of oil, or other worthless substance.
Of the wool containing it, the price at least of two
pounds Of WOOL English manufacturers and stap-
lers, before purchasing, open portion of the fleece
es, and examine carefully, not only the fneness,
but also the strength of the staple, and its condition
throughout.
The first important operation in preparing our
fleece wool for export is to properaiy cleanse it
before shearng The sheep should be washed in
clear running watcr-the water must run freely
thrans every part ef the fleece, and the wool and
every part of it should be pressed and worked with
the hands while under water, until the dirt and oil
are removed, and the ,caier runs of clear. The
shearng should then take place as soon as the
sheep become dry after washing.
Then comes the tying up Of the heeces
All the loose locks, clippings and tags and every
thing unclean, or of any inferior quality, and the
coarse wool from the thighs, if there be any, should
be rhotly rejected and the Aceces tied up firmly so
as 10 keep their shape, and show, as is customary.
the best part of the fleece on the outside
This terminates the wool-growers part; but
Will here remark that sheep should be kept as near
~ as possible in uniformly good health and flesh
because every portion of the staple or fibre of the
wool which grows while the sheep is very poor
from disease or want Of food, has so little strength
as to break in working; and if this weak Growth
tokes place IN the fall of the year, it destroys the
fleece for many purposes. q
The production of wool in the United States,
until recently, has not equalled the consumption
6ut the low price of grains and provisions since
lS4V' mas caused rapid increase in the number
OF shcep,-which under very favorable circumstan-
ces, may double each three years,-and they now
surpass, and are likely still further to surpass, all
previous estimates. The quantity Of wool became
so uh"eldly last year, that the value fell full TWEEN
" per Cent. Notwithstanding the foreign shl mens
the abundance of money, the high Tariff, and the
prosperous condition of the manufacturing interest.
we now have the promise of considerably increas-
n nj
some Of the new States, with money more in de-
ihand the protective policy in more danger, and
lower prices Of cloths. If the home markets were
solely relied upon, wool, like all other articles, when
produced in excess, would long rule low in price.
An abundant supply will hereafter enable manu-.
lacturors TO purchase their leisure and to choose
lner qualities; and hencoiorth prices must be reg
uated like those of cotton, in the open markets of
the world The growing Of wool in this country
is receiving from year to year more and more at
tontion. Mems minds have been turned in that
direction. Hundreds OF thousands OF Sheep in
stead of being slaughtered as iornely, are now an
nually driven from older and cultivated lands, as
fast as their increase exceeds their pasturage, to
newer grounds, where they are distributed to emf
grants from the older States accustomed to take
care of them, and there they form the germs of
hocks growing up in millions An impetus has
thus been given which must long continue, because
consistent with the interest Of those concerned.--
The room and inducements were sufficient. In the
Northwest, between the Allegany and the Rocky
Mountains, VIC have vast region stretching over
the extent of empires, where the soil is composed
mostly Of vegetable mould, the accommodating de-
post Of various heritage from year to year since
the Creation. The earth contains nothing APP
preaching it in vastness and fertility. This depos
10 a mine OF material which may be turned into
wheat only by planting wheat upon it, or into wool
only by pasturlng sheep upon it. 1t lies open to
every hand that will partake Of it. Its position Is
secure from the desolations of wars.--lts extent
and quantity such that it must pass to other gen
eratlons Of men before exhausted. But like al
great tracts Of interior territory, the transportation
OF its products TO the ocean, and the markets Of
other climates is laborous, costly, slow, hazardous
and uncertain. Wool forms the only exception
Wool, which is worth ten times as much as iron of
equal weight, may be sent forward from the place
OF It's growth thirty times cheaper than wheat of
equal value. The necessities of densely peoped
countries insures its steady consumption. OF all
the articles Of commerce, wool is the most staple
IN It's nature, and has always been the most gener
orally used by civilized man, from times the most
remote, of every nation, tongue and race. OF all
the staple articles OF the world, wool requires the
least labor to produce it, the least care and cost in
ITS preservation and transportation and the most
suitable, profitable, and reliable production for the
great interior Of this country where labor is scarce
ana dear and fertile lands cheap and plenty
Hence It's growth will long continue to be cher
lshed Interest," and the export demand, al the prices
OF other countries, will last forever.
! remain yours truly,
HAMILTON GAY,