The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-08-10
The Wool Trade.

The wool growing business is rapidly
increasing in the western and southern States
of our Union.
The Importance of fostering and encour-
a Iing this great branch of national industry
and production, may be shown by few
well ascertained facts. An intelligent wri-
ter states that our population annually con-
sumes an amount OF wool equal to seven
pounds for each person. We will take a
more moderate estimate, and suppose it to
be six pounds for each person. The popula-
ton in 1850 was over $4,000 900, which at
six pounds OF wool to each person would
show an annual demand in thls ounuy for
1873, ,0000 900, pounds of WOOL and it will be
portionabiy mole as our population in
creases. This amount at % cents per pound
as an average, gives the sum over SAL
900, ,OOO as the value Of the wool consumed
in the United States in one year.
In the year 1876 the whole amount of
wool produced in the United States was at
little less than 53,000,O00 pounds. This
shows that far less than half the wool requi-
red Tor use is produced in this couDry; the
balance beirg imported in the form of wool,
woolen cloths, 1lannels, &c.
At the same time it is well known that we
possess within the domain OF the United
States II sufficient amount OF unemployed
land, well adapted to grazing, to support
ilocks Of sheepso numerous that their annu-
al yloI4 Of wool would clo!he all the people
on earth.
The price Of wool has considerably adyan=
ced, and the population largely increased
since 1859, and it the above data is correct
we may safely assume that the demand for
wool i'll this country, in the present year. is
not far from fifty million dollars. This esti-
mate will not seem eXtravagant when we
reccolect that it is but liule over two
dollars for each person in the United States.
Taking into account the constant increase
of population, it may be safely affirmed thar
Notwithstanding fluctuations in price, the
the wool growers Of this country hgve be-
fore them q constant and sure demand for
$4,000, ,000, worth OF wool every year for
all time to come. And when we remember
that the American demand is constantly in
creaslng, and is no! rs yet one half supple
by the home production, the wool growers
OF production can never pass the limits of
demand in their day and generation. Such
thea is th5 cheering prospect before the
wool growing interests OF our country.
BI. again; IL is escim lteI that the pelts
the carcases, and the lambs Of every sheep
flock will pay the whole anpull expense OF
the II Dck, an of preplring the wool for the
markets. The valne OF the wool then is Il
clear profit. Ii the above estimates be cor
rect our farming interests must thrive; so far
as this one product Of their industry is cons
cerned.
But thereis another consideration of vast
Importance to the wool trade. The efforts
within Il few years to improve the breeds OF
sheep have proiNcpl the most encouraging
results. Its stated that the new breeds,
that are being introduced to some extent
produce annually more than twice as much
IN quantity and value as the old tlocks.--
One hundred sheep of this improved kind
can be kept and managed at the same ex-
pense, and will bring twice as many dollars
10 the Golfers of The farmer. Every farmer
then Will ba,abundantly repaid the outlay
to improve the character and quality Of his
hocks.
One other fact may be mentioned, en-
couraging to western wool growers. The
number OF sheep is COT stanuy diminishing.
and wool growing business declining, in the
eastern states. One reason is Obvious
The rich and fertile regions of the west
ca produce wool at a far less expense than
in the cold climate, and in the hard soil of
the eastern states, while the cheap transit
by railroads keeps the price of the wool at
the west neatly the same as at the east
Pits. Posi-