Polynesian., 1860-03-03

From the foregoing statistics, and the greatly
increasing desire manifested by growers both to in
crease and improve their herds, there would seem
little question that California is destined to become
one Of the greatest wool producing States in the
Union. Ohio, in 1910, yielded q wool clip of
3,6S5,3l5 lbs; in 1850, the production of the
State was IL, 1851 lbs, exhibiting an annual
average increase of q per cent, while California
has furnished average annual increase of nearly
so per cent since 1855.
1t is gratifying to observe within the past three
years a visible improvement in quality. This is
good indication for the future.
The clip of the past year may be subdivided as
follows:
Fine clothing wOOl-about one-tenth-237, 800
lbs medium clothing and half
|, ,lS9 900 lbs; ordinary coarse-four tenths-95l,
200 lbs.
This shows q vast improvement on the product
of preceding years, and is Il source Of much en-
couragement to the grower; yet great deal re-
mains to be done. The whole wool trade Of the
future will entirely depend upon the care and at
tentiOn bestowed on the crossing of different breeds,
in order to produce the woods best adapted to our
soil, and the demands of the trade.
AS yet, no system has been applied to this branch
OF the business. There is no uniform staple in
California wools, on which to establish sure bIsis
There is not even uniformity in most Of our hocks,
three or four different breeds being very often mix
ed together without discrimination, and allowed
to breed prOmscuOusly. Our informant has grad
ed some lots of wool from such sources, and found
oil the different staples mixed together: pure
California some Caiforniae-Ossed American
crossed Chinese, South Down, and even MerinO.
Consequently, California woods can only be sold
on the merits of particular parcels each lot having
to be graded separately before its value be
certained.
Every other country has a staple or quality of
its Saxony, the finest wool in the world;
Australia, an uniformMerino of Saxon descent,
cared Oily assorted and put up for market; Scotch
laid and unlaid woOls are renowned for their
strength, length and uniformity English long
woods have their use. and sought for by certain
manufacturers; German woods are generally very
finely accommodated for the different markets in
which they are wanted, and the sheep carefully
raised to produce exactly such qualities are re-
quired France has the renowned French Merino,
uniting fneHess of staple to weight and strength
while Spain boasts the Spanish Merino, the mother
breed of all other fine wools
These illustrations are given merely to show that
each country produces an uniform staple, fixed
quality, known by the trade. California alone
has no staple of its own. Yet climate being
admirably adapted to wool growing, the improve
ment already obtained in quality, weight of fleece.
funess and length of staple, justifes the expecta-
ton thatahOse interested in this branch OF busi-
ness will make additional improvement, and be
able to equal if not surpass, in both quantity and
quality the production of any other State IN the
Union.
1t is particularly the province of California to
raise those qualities of combing wOnls, the prinei-
pal characteristic of which is a uniform soundness
and strength of staple.
Recently the attention of wool producers in CAL
iornia has been directed tn the importation Of full
blooded Merino sheep. Experiences in the Atlantic
States has already demonstrated that they are less
profitable than the Leicester, COtteswod, and
Southdown breeds. Merino wool Is not 80 much
sought after in the Atlantic markets as the comb
ing wOols from crosses of Shutdown or COtteswold
breeds with American or Merino ewes; and, as the
Atlantic States WILL for long period, be our prln-
cipal consumers, we ought to produce the kinds
they require. Besides, the pure Merino wool, be-
ing more particularly adapted to the European
markets, our production would come in competition
with the same kinds of other countries, where, Ia
Dor being cheaper, the sheep are better taken care
Of Merino wool, too containing more natural OIL
than any other kind, is subject to collect and hold
all dirt, burrs and foreign matter, which destroy
the good appearance which such qualities OF wool
ocght to present, to command good price. Much
depends therefore, on the care bestowed upon this
breed Of sheep.
The crosses above named are recommended TO
the growers of California, especially for the res
sons already named, and because they yield heavy
heeces and produce the best mutton known. More
over, their breeds being healthier and strUrger.
they are better adapted to country in which, IN
s0me sections, water and food are scarce during
nine months of the year.
The recent impvrtations of combing-wOOl bucks