Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-06-17
Agricultural.
TO wooL-GRoWERs.
NO. Nv.
AGRICULTURAL Rooms, !

AGRICULTURAL Rooms
albany, June 9Th, 1916.
I'M. SHERWOOD, President Of The W T.
State Agricultural Society.
DEAR Sir 1T is time that the MAN
question be now put Is the plan oe-
tailed in nv last feasible +? In part
have anticipated the answer. Ii 1t is
consonant TO the known laws of trade,
il is feasible, and not otherwise. In
Europe, wool and almost every other
commodity is bought and sold by the
broker exclusively, and in this country
the practice is gaining ground; nor can
any sound reason be given why the
wool business of this State, like four
fifths of all the other business of the
country, cannot be advantageously car
ried on upon the same principle.
But practice is better than theory
The plan is now in operation, and so far
as one years experience can be guide,
it is likely TO work well. DR.. ]. P. Beck
man, on his return from the State fair
at Poughkeepsie, was induced, from
some facts which came to his knowl-
edge, to believe that some farmers did
not receive a fair equivalent for their
wool. He induced Mr.. Homer Blan-
chard, of Undertook, man well quail
flied by experience, by his moral quail
ties and by business habits, to undertake
an establishment of the kind which
have been advocating. The result has
been that 100000 pounds Of wool have
sold during the year. For 10000 lbs.
of which prices have been obtained,
ranging from thirty-seven and half to
fifty cents per pound. In majority of
cases the wool sold has brought as much
rs the year before, Notwithstanding the
price of wool generally was eight or ten
cents per pound less. In some cases it
brought more, and considering the DIFF
ference in the state of the market, in no
case less. Thus far every thing is pro-
pitious. Mr.. Blanchard, after year of
assiduous industry, has materially en-
HANGED his previously valuable qualifi-
cations, and has done SO by acquiring
and deserving the confidence and friend
ship of manufacturers. | have examin-
ed piles of letters from the manufacture
ers, who in all cases express their per-
feet satisfaction with the purchases
made, and a strong desire that the pro-
ject may succeed.
The wool is brought into the ware
house, each fleece examined, sorted &C
cording to quality and condition, into
five different sorts. In case that &C.
Cured while was there, lot of one
hundred and ffty-fve pounds was ex-
amined, and fifteen pounds of useless
twine, tags and filth removed.
In another case, the same day, o lot
Of wool was brought in which was sort
ed in No. 2; last year the wool from
the same sheep was sorted in No. IL
But this year the farmer had neglected
to shear the sheep at the proper time (; a
depreciation in consequence had taken
place. Large clips notwithstanding their
being sorted, are kept separate from all
others.
1t is brought sometimes in sacks and
sometimes in sheets sacks ire supplied
to any farmer who may want them, at
the cost of the material, or if returned
in good order, at only charge of one
shilling per sack for its use; where
sacks are brought by the farmer, if in
good order, fifty cents is allowed for
them, unless requested to be returned.
Every charge for tansacting the busi-
ness, save that Of insurance, is covered
by commission of one per cent. for
each three months. The wool is sold
only when ordered by The owner.
At first sight, mahya farmer may I'M
asine that he can save this commission
Of one,per cent per pound by selling to
the wool factor but does any man sup
pose that the wool factor works for moth
ing? He is either paid commission
no less, or makes profit much larger
than this. The farmer who places his
wool in this depot for sale, has the ad-
vantage of knowing precisely the cost of
sale, while he who sells to the wool fac
tor is utterly ignorant of the charges he
incurs. One thing is certain, the wool
factor has his pay, and they are not
heard often to complain Of its inadqua-
cy.
The probability, however. is that in
all cases, owing to the sorting of the
wool, both as to the quality and style
as well as condition, its price is enhanc-
ed more than enoughto cover the agents
commission.
Wherever it is required an advance is
made for two-thirds of the value, for
which interest is charged at seven per
cent. A friend of mine sent his wool
to the depot for the sake of receiving
this advance. His wool was sold for
five cents per pound more than he could
have obtained for it at home, by which
he saved not only his commission and
interes t, but much more.
No where, in the course of my visits,
have | found any one buying or selling
wool. Yet many are anxious 10 sell.-
At the Kinderhook depot wool can al
ways be sold at the market price. But
few are likely to be suited with present
prices. Be it SO. Amy who need the
-. -I.o;,, txxo th;rdo IF tho ,,,or