The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-26
Letter from Somerset County.
To the Editor Of tho Press:
NORTH ANsoN. July %, 1864.

~ t"c ~ Htt q 'tH'-
NORTH ASsoS, July 20, 1864.
The wool market remains quite active, ana
the staple is coming m faster than means OF
storage and transportation can be secured
Somerset and Franklin Counties have been
pretty thoroughly secured by brokers anu
spectators, leaving but small quahtity Vi
inferior wool unsod. Since the shearing COM
manced In June. prices have fluctuated from
so cts to 81 per pound and heaviest sales
probably realized the latter price, as farmers
growing wool largely, held TO it, until de-
cided rise. Much competition has been mani
tested between our Maine buyers and Boston
and New York brokers, since prospective
proht was known TO be large and all had great
contracts to work upon
Boston established the rate Of 81 as standard
price. Mr.. Fiagg, of the firm OF Flsgg & Co.,
Milk st, making purchase of 10000 pounds
in Arson, at that offer, and making but few,
if any discounts for buck or unwashed wool.
Col. J. w. Porter, of Strong, has probably the
heaviest contract of any one hereabouts, be-
ing engaged in buying for the Paeihc Mills
Lawrence, Mass, which consume ooooo
pounds per week Of the best wool. Messrs'
Bray and Gilman, have been the next largest
purchasers, buying largely for the Lewiston
corporations, and on personal account VIZ
ton. Dexter, Dover, Arson, Biddelord ana
other manufacturing places have secured large
niles at price that must secure profit. Inc
average clip OF wool this year is less than last,
mainly owing TO the facts that the sheep were
allowed to run in the pastures last fall too
late. and many were reduced in flesh by
consequent disease. The wool in market is
on the whole, of good QUALIFYING, but
heavy in fibre. More attention has been paid
lately to sheep breeding and keeping in this
country than ever, and as result, the farmers
/ have made large importations of pure blooded
stock, the Merino claiming superiority.
The crops in this region must necessarily
( be inferior in all respects, If the present al
farming drought continues undated APP
pies. and fruit OF any sort, will be stinted and
scarce; the army worm has made sad havoc
in our orchards. Corn, cats, barley, &C., are
ripening prematurely, having had too short
growth and too hot season for productive
yield.
Strong efforts will be generally made in
Somerset County, 10 secure her quota under
the late call, without draft, but the existing
maevolence Of the coppeIheads towards any
loyal measure, may hinder the attainment OF
SO desired an result. Somerset is as firm in
her loyalty, as are the pine tree roots IN our
mountain soil, but she nestles within some OF
her pretty villages, rebels more vile and daE-
gerous than those 10 open arms against us.
Their character is best illustrated by an incl
dent which fell under our observation last
night.
A friend from Boston tby the way staunch
Union mani was paying OF secesh farmer
for his wool. aud rendered him bills of large
denomination on a local bank, Farmer open
ed long TRADE against the money. our gov
eminent, DC, as is usual with JEFF Davis dis
ciples. when his eyes caught sight Of two five
hundred treasury notes, with coupons at
taehed. assuring us that their interest VIII be
paid In gold. He al once wound up his har-
augue, and implored our Boston friend to let
him change monies, as be preferred the
United States Understanding greenbdcks.
But 10 punish his secesh insolence, our friend
denied him the exchange, with the comfort
ing assurance that be would be best paid in
confederate bonds. Such men are powerless
in this region, and you may reckon on a
heavy Lincoln majority iu Somerset.
Extensive fires are prevailing all around
here enyelOnnp the village In smoke
MACHIGoNNE.