Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-05-22
Lake Ridge T7n pkins Co,
J-n. 2l, ~.


J-n. p, ~.
Samuel Patterson, Es4 Dear Sir-After
+ Your departure from ny. residence, in August
last, my reflections " &, cast upon the subject
which occupied a potion Of our attention
while you were here, ari which was sugges-
tel and promulgated 5y the Convention Of
. Wool Growers, held .. S Springfield, Mass,
T viz; ITO ascertain b. time to time the zeal
/ value OF wool, both at home and abroad, in
order that we may dispose IF It more inte.Ii-
+ gently, and consequently 10 oadvantage."
It IS with regret l -alorn you, that | have
not been able to collect aay Information Of a
definite character bearing upon the subject
Indeed, it would have bean extremely difficult,
if not impossible, to d. 50, for the reason that
to determine the real valea of our wool, 1t was
necessary to know accurately the cost Of man
ufacturing the various styles and qualities,
and the prices obtained for the same in mar
ket. This IS a species af information manu-
. facurers are quite too shrewd to impart, espe-
cIaliy e the wool-growar. Hence you can
readily see, for this reasan, and the remote
ness Of my residence from large manufactur-
f. ing establishments and ,he principal markets
for the disposal of their commodities, the dif-
fculties which beset ne. That the really
fine wools grown in the United States have
been sold much below their true value, for a
number Of years past, is well known fixed
fact and not susceptible .of any doubt
This IS proved by the large profits or dividends
=
factories, and among osaers the Middlesex
Company, which recently announced a diyi-
dend Of I6 per cent for the last year; whica
is probably less than the real pro fits Of that
establishment, IS with nearly all incorporated
companies there is a reserve fund permitted
10 Accumulate from year 70 year to cover or
meet contingencies.
Maxine due allowance for the skill and tai
f ent At the head Of that establishment, the in
/ ference is legitimate thai the wool grower has
been the sufferer: that yoa ana l know very
well. sir. that we can deciafe 10 such dividend
as that above stated. Boz ! will not waste
words to show further that the manufacturers
especially Of fine woods, hSYe:treated Us very
badly. Is It not however Tery much our own
faultl Is there not something wrong IN the
manner the wool-grower diaPo>es Of his wool
Let US inquir into this.
L has been common in shis section, and
believe everywhere, for the proPrietors of
small focks to carry their wool n blankets to
the nearest market towns, aitFout previously
having asoertained the prices. offered for the
qualities they respectively grow, and thus
throwing themselves VPon tie tender mereies
of one, two, OF more greedy Spectators who
often combine, or at all events Buy only at
very reduced prices-buy, fsr instance. At 25
cents what in reality may be worth at least
25 per cent more. The farmer. rather than re-
turn home with his wool. sells i. His ex-
ample viii be followed BY ano, her and anoth-
Or: and low market in the beginning of the
season has been established, which Is sure TO
operate unfavorably upon the price Of all des-
criations Of wood for the residue Of the year
Il is very true. many wool growers are COM
palted 10 dispose Of their w0el, from Peeun-
isrv necessity; but still the namberis eomPaF-
i,ivslv small who could net borrow little
money for a short period, and which would be
far wiser than to make the sserifces accom-
nanvinr undue haste in selling When all
rush simultaneously to marke. with certain
nroduet. no matter what. tho iuarlet becomes
more or less glutted; and on She rule Of sup
Il and demand, prices must depent. This is
fact generally well understood.