Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-06-20
Semi v eek|y,
COMPRESSED WOOL.

The general opinion Of the wool trade is
against the COMPRISING of WOOL Wool
growers who have given the matter con-
sderation are convinced that pressure,
such as would reduce the bulk one-half,
tends to felt the wool and takes from it
that bright, tiossy appearance which at
tracts the eye of the buyer, whether he be
merchant or manufacturer. If the freight
rate were extremely high by the car load,
wool-growers might take the risks in con-
signing their wool to market, but when
the rate is only So per 100 pounds, they
would undoubtedly lose more than they
could gain even if the COMPRISING cost
nothing, which would not be the case.
For like reasons the wool merchants |
are opposed to the use of COMPRISING !
machinery. 1t is their interest and de-
sire to have the wool appear snowy and
attractive when it meets the manutactu-
rers eye. Such wool will always be pre-
ferred, especially when the market is
over-stocked and choice lots are abund-
ant. We recently asked Mr.. Putnam of
Boston, who is TN extensive and expert
enced wool-buyer for his opinion, solely
from business point of view. He said
Gas for myself, disapprove of com {
pressing. When it is a matter of choice
between a bale of compressed wool and v
one which has not been compressed, | al
ways prefer the latter COMPRISING re- v
duces the value about one cent pound. "
Buyers prefer open wool, while COM tt
pressing imparts an appearance Of heavi- II
ness to the wool and creates an impress. p
sion that it will produce less when secured j
than the wool in its ordinary condition" h
1t will be seen from this that wool in e
its natural state is preferred and that n
COMPRISING reduces its value one cent p
per pound. In fact it repels the buyer, N
who assumes from its heavy, compact k
look that there must be more grease In it
than in the bright, snowy fleece beside it, I"
which is elastic and feecy 6
The opinion Of Mr.. Putnam corresponds o
with that of the old house of Denny, Rice o
& Co. of Boston, who in recent letter to n
Mr.. Paris Gibson said 6
"We should not recommend it Tcom- h
pressingl unless saving of at least cent L
or more per pound in freight could be C
obtained Compressed wool does not e
handle so light or appear so bright when tt
opened out of the bales, and although of
course its secured value is not at all af- 81
fected, there is good deal in the appear 81
ance and handling Of wool when first W
opened. For this reason we think it best n
to adhere to the old plan of packing IN v
sacks, unless, as before stated, quite S.
considerable saving in freight can be Of
effected" B
Other letters received by Mr.. Gibson h
are to the same effect. Now as to the Pr
net gain or loss, for that is the main ques- eli
lion. By COMPRISING it is claimed at sa
most, % per cent might be saved on car Ut
load lots. As the rate is two dollars per tn
100 pounds, the net gain would be only 81
'O cents If the COMPRISING cost nothing. fr
But as the depreciation would be at least yc
one cent per pound, the loss on 100
pounds would be a dollar. This would
'esult in net loss of fifty cents per 100 IN
pounds, which in these days is serious m
In addition to this is the gr
of the wool which is a m
Dad thing when a wool-grower wants to tn
'ealize quickly. Accordingly we advise III
Tool=growers to give the COMPRISING W.
vide berth. Do not damage the high re- IN
'utation which Montana wool has ac- ur
luired by rash experiments. If buyers or
# long experience, who have regular Gus va
omers, will be guided by their judy re
nent, that disapprove of COMPRISING, still OF
more so ought the wool-grow who III
ends his wool to Boston on cons gnmerts. III