The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-08-14
The Army Consumption Of Wool.

The call for 300 GOO additional volunteers, has
an important bearing on the wool trade of the
country When the new quota has been raised,
mere VIII be $4,000 troops requiring regular
supply of army clothing. Each one of these car
res IN the shape of his complete outfit, wooden
manufactures representing about twenty-five
pounds OF raw or manufactured wool. In times
OF war, the excessive wear and tear, the irregular
tiles and losses from varieus causes will make
the consumption average nearly three outfits a
year per man. At safe average it may be reck-
oned that the yearly consumption OF each soldier
VIII amount to 90 pounds of unmanufactured wool
This amount, multiplied by $50 600 would give
as the total consumption of wool by the army for
the next twelve months the enormus amount of
81 QUO 600 of pounds. The aggregate seems inn
mense, but a careful inspection of the estimate
will show that it is not exae geraed How this en-
Ormus consumption must bear upon the trade in
wool and woollens, deserves the prompt attention
of thoee interested. The whole product of wool in
the United States in 1885, according to the returns
OF the census, was only about 81 900 900 pounds
The statement is probably far below the truth, as
are nearly all the figures representing the produce
OF the countrpj and it, therefore. gives imperfect
data from which to estimate the present wool crop.
we have, as yet seen no statement fl ON the CEN
sus OF 1860 as to The present wool product of the
country and can, therefore, merely make loose
estimate as to the amount We should however,
represent the most general estimate of the wool
trade In supposing the present crop, i'll the now
loyal States, to reach about 100, 600 600 pounds.
According to this estimate the army demand will
take up ABOUT az per cent. OF our Wnole crop OF
wool. tits unnecessary to Indicate the effett of
this extraordinary demand on the value of the TIA
pie, The demand will be mostly for t he lower
grades OF wool, which, as last year, may be ex-
pected TO realize fabulous prices, and out of all
proportion to the value ofthe finer grades it may
perhaps be questioned, however, whether we shall
this year witness such depreciation in the value
OF fine grades us experienced last year. The
largeness of the demand may be reasonably expect
ed TO give EXCHANGED value to all qualities
though, as the finer grades have no preference for
army purposes over the coarser, they may not be
to range muce higher than common
woods, as is the case in ordinary times.
1t is not improbable under these circum tances,
that we may witness an unusual import 8 of for
eign woods. Although both the tart fl and exchange
are against its importation, yet prices may range
SO high TO render these considerations seconda-
ry
The effect of this extraordinary consumption of
army woolens must be to initiate and derange the
business in wooden fabrics. Probably,
the machinery employed last year in Inpnufactu-
ring military goods might be sufficient If running
extra time, TO meet this demand. But that proper
ton of our wooden machinery leaves but little for
meeting the demand for ordinary goods. The re-
suit will probably be that fabrics for civilians wear
will be in light supply and realize high prices
N. y. Economist.