The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-08-16
Our Wool Interests.


take the following:
The opening of this year had a most
discouraging outlook for California wool
growers; at home on the one hand they
had every reason to dread very scanty
rainfall, from which must result severe
loss among their sheep, while on the
other hand, to add to this, the Eastern
markets were overstocked with fall
woods, which could only be disposed of at
prices lower than had ever been taken in
late years. There was also an excep-
tionally large supply in this market.
During the month of January the stock
here was partially reduced by shipments
on owners account, and in February and
March demand sprung up, which had
the effect of clearing off most of the woods;
at the same time the supply in the East
ern markets went rapidly into consump-
ton.
Contrary to general expectations, the
market for spring woods opened at high
rates compared with prices ruling the
preceding year; and with an active de-
mand, which has continued without ces-
sation, the whole clip has nearly been
marketed. To-day stocks are smaller
than they have ever been at this season,
and are small for any time of the year.
Manufacturers up to the first Of June
were the chief support of the market, hav-
ing taken an unusually large amount.
Spring woods, whose condition has been
better than was expected, began to arrive
in March, which was two or three weeks
earlier than usual, and coming forward
rapidly, there is now very little to place
on the market From the middle and
grease than usual, but were generally un-
slightly on account of the large prepon-
derance of dust. The staple has been
strong, and the quality of every short
wool less than was anticipated. Long
stapled woods we're better than last year,
both in soundness of staple and shrink
age, as they were freer from tags, which
were really excessive in last seasons
wool of this description. Northern woods
have never been received in such excel
lent condition and of so good staple.
Opening prices were 10 to zoe. for av-
erage stapled free woods in good condi-
ton; 10 to 20c. for long stapled in fair
condition; 16 to 1Sc. for long stapled fine
wool containing burrs; Is to 16c. for Or
binary southern woods. For average
stapled parcels in fair condition Is to Tic.
was paid. Northern wool opened at
Csc, but rapidly advanced to 27hc., they
afterwards dropped to 26 to $500, but
have since recovered the decline; choice
lots realized Csc, but have since brought
sc.
Southern woods were for time neg
lected, and long stapled parcels were
sold at Is to 17c., but when demand
arose they advanced to Is to 19c., and Or
binary lots to 16 to II. The market
has been good; fine woods have been
easily sought for, and low grades CON-
paratively neglected; except at short in
tervals the demand has been constant
and large.
Woods have come to market in good
order, containing fewer tags and locks
than for several years.
No decrease in the spring clip has to
be noticed, so far, as the increase of
lambs in 1876 has so far compensated
for the deaths. The middle, and espe-
cially the southern counties, have suffered
greatly from drouth almost unparal-
lelled in the history of the State, and as
a result large numbers of sheep have
been slaughtered or died from actual
starvation. OF those remaining, many
have been driven iuto the northern coun-
ties and neighboring States and Terrific
ries. The losses as yet do not appear,
except in diminishing the product to the
extent of the natural increase; but in the
coming fall and spring there must be
great deficiency from the amount shorn
during the past year or two. If next
winter is favorable many focks will prob
able return to the State, but several years
must elspse before the clip can ever
reach the proportion of 1875. This d.
unfinished production, however, We may
reasonably expect to be partly compen-
stated for in the improved quality Of wool,
owing to the death of the poorer condi
toned sheep.
Oregon woods are arriving earlier than
usual, and meeting with ready sale. The
condition Of receipts is decidedly supe-
rior to that of former years, especially of
the eastern woods. They are finer and
contain less alkali. Opening Rates were
% to 24c., and CSC. has since been paid.
Very few valley woods have arrived;
prices range from 90 to 32c. Arizona
has sent forward better woods than for
merly. They are longer, stronger and less
eaten by alkai. BY the extension OF the
railroad to the Colorado river, they can
be brought here in marketable condition.
Some good stapled clips have brought IL