National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-10

This important fact win be better under
stood by reference to the classification OF
imported wool Of the last fiscal year 1t
amounted TO 70,59G, 10 pounds, worth at
ports of shipment IL cents per pound, but Of
this 4G,339,580 pounds were carpet wool,
l1,415,SS9 clothing wool, aud only 2,ISO,-
75l pounds Of comblng wool. SO II seems
that we practically produce the wool for
domestic consumption.
The average value of woolens per capita
was 81 90 In the ten years from 1851 to 1860.
In the following decade, including the war
period, with its immense waste OF clothing,
the importation decreased to an average OF
81 cents TO each individual, and between
1870 and 1SS0it was further reduced TO S6
cents. In the earlier period, that Of tran.
sition from homo manufacture TO the factory
system, less clothing was used, aud tho Inn
ports averaged only as cents between 1921
and 1880, IS cents from 1881 TO 1910, and IS
cents from 1S41 to 1850.
REDUCTION IN PRICES.
The reduction in prices in recent years
has been q cause Of Encouragement and de-
preston. Whatever the causes a large and
dominating influence is the tendency to re-
duction Of values which has recently been
In active operation throughout the world.
II is shown conclusively In the difference In
foreign value Of imported wool In single
year. Clothing wool shows reduction
from 222 cents to 1917 cents per pound,
and carpet wool from 1874 to 100 per
pound.
Our wool imports Of 1881 averaged 1Is
cents per pound; In 1885, 1875 cents, re-
duction of % per cent. The wool imports
Of Great Britain averaged Isl cents In 1881,
and "a A in 1884, still less In 1885, reduc-
ton in three years Of 10 per cent. Com
pairing with 1885 the reduction in value OF
British homegrown wool was 20 per cent,
90 per per cent. I'm fine Australian, 20 IN
Danskoi, and 35 In wool at Buenos Ayres, a
country which is In strong competition
with our own production.
Wheat in foreign countries shows n still
greater reduction; mddling New Orleans
cotton averaged q. 80 pence per pound In
Liverpool in 1881, and 81 in 1885. Sugar
was so much reduced In value as TO cause
reduction Of 20 per cent. last year In the
European product. Food products, manu-
features OF all kinds, as a rule, show
marked reduction In value, varying in de-
gree according to relative volume of accu-
INFLATED stocks. 1t is to be hoped that the
tide will soon turn, signs of which already
appear, and that producers Will receive o
better return for their labor.
GROWTH OF WOOL MANUFACTURES.
With the advent of the Merlno and the
| time OF the embargo and the war with
Great Britain an impetus was given to man
ufacturc which was mainly the work OF
household looms. In 1910 the products OF
manufactures OF woods were reported to be
worth $25,60S, 1888. The industry was
launched and making rapid Roadway, and
continued to grow during the war OF 1872
10, when supply Of domestic sources be-
came an absolute necessity. At the
close OF the war, when the ports were
opened, immense quantities Of wooden
| goods were received, prices were suddenly
| reduced, and home manufactures fell of to
| the value OF "a AIS, O6S, wool growing be-
came unpopular because Improbable, and
high priced Merinos would scarcely com
mand dollar per head. 1t was a crisis too
| severe, change too sudden from war
imitation to peace prices, vet rally COM
| menced between 1920 and 1880, an impulse
was given to wool growing by the changes
from the neighborhood fulling mill and
household loom to the factory system which
has rapidly driven household fabrication
| out of existence.
The value of manufactured products, in
round numbers, was $15,000,000 In 1880,
20,C0O,OOo in 1910, 4s,0O0,000 In 1850, o.
100000 in 1850, 217, 900, 900 In 1850 and 267,-
100000 in 1880. This shows constant pro-
gress, with wonderful awakening since
lSG0. At that date the manufacture OF
fancy cassimeres was in its first inception,
and 1t was popularity believed that this
country would never be able to compete In
that line Of manufacture. SO with the
worsted and other goods. Carpets were
produced in the lower and cheaper grades.
Now the finest tyles are produced, aud the
| value OF carpets manufactured is greater
than that Of all manufactures Of wool In
| 1850; only 2 or 3 per cent. of our car
| pets are Of foreign make, and British man
| ufacturers have been compelled to order
| American Carpet machinery TO keep pace
with American improvement In carpet
manufacture.
THE FUTURE OF AMERICAN WOOL
With such showing of values In wooden
cloths and In meats the palatable and
| healthful, II is absurd to give place TO de-
preston and to despair, or to thought of
abandonment OF the proud position which
| this industry has already attained. The
| demand for food and clothing viii be more
than doubled In less than another gener-
| alton. We cannot import either OF these
branches Of supplies we cannot afford 1t
we shall continue TO grow our wool and to
| manufacture IL.
The economI, of production may be con-
sidered, but not the question Of abandoning
| great national industry. With increase
of population, and refinement Of CASTRO
nomic taste, superior quality OF meat will
be demanded, aud economy Of production
will require that it shall be produced In
| shorter time and with less loss or waste In
feeding. Better care will he given to nut
ton-producing hocks; better shelter in win
ter with better results Of feeding in guam
tity and quality Of product.
When prices are low, as they are now, Il
not good time to sell, but good time FOL
buying for any one who desires to ente
sheep husbandry. II has always been OBJ
served that experienced flock masters con
tinue their business through the thick ant
thin Of prosperity ana adversely. 1t is SAT,
to follow their example, to follow the leat
OF farmers In every quarter OF the world
whether their practice Is OF the intensive o
the extensive sort, who find food and cloth
ing, fertilization for the land, and profit Il
the pocket by wisely directed efforts I,
sheep husbandry. May you realize all thi
and more In the future Of your efforts Il
wool growing and mutton production.