Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-08-10
Sheep 1nterest.
HE TARIFF AND THE WOOL BUS
MESS.
MIDDLFBuRY, VT, June 81, 1888.

ave nOllCcu III ullltItIl lssuCS VI yN"i
per some statements in relation to the
.ty upon foreign wool, and the effect of
ose duties upon the wool-growers and
erino sheep breeders, that | think cam
It be correct, and | ask space in your
per to present some facts bearing upon
E question. In making this request, l
so, confidently believing that the
Fiters who make these statements do
It Intentionally misrepresent or distort
E facts, or that your correspondents do
It intend so to do. | also desire to pre-
bit these facts, as | believe they have a
|son for others than wool growers.
Dne of the statements alluded to was
Rde, l think, in an editorial a few weeks
ice. AS | have not the copy at hand, l
not pretend to give the exact Ian
hge, but near enough to answer the
|rpose, and show the idea advanced in
ht statement; it was, in effect, that YER
mt Merino sheep breeders were not at
ted by the tariff upon foreign wool, as
market for our surplus sheep was in
stralia and South America. This
tement must have been advanced by
ne one without a knowledge of the
is. l think the facts show very decld-
y the contrary, and it seems to me
" have a most decided lesson for the
manufacturers who seem to think
y can probably loose their grip on
home market, and take the chances
securing markets abroad.
he breeders of Merino sheep in Yer
mt, through its organization-the
ermont Merino Sheep Breeders asso-
tion'-strenuously opposed the reduce
, of the duties on wool, by the act of
rch, 1888, and, we believe, gave good
sons for claiming that reduction would
ire our business, as well as that of all
wool-growers of the country. The
wers of those who had that act in
rye, as well as of several of our lead
papers, was similar to that which l
h take exceptions to-that the duty on
eign wool did not affect the business
he breeders of Merinos in Vermont !;
the act was passed, and to show the
ct of the reduction upon our business
ave to give the figures that are fur
ned by our station agent at this place,
ere a large proportion of the improved
mos are shipped southwest and west.
We the figures for 1881 and for 1886 to
w the great falling off. l have not
ked up the figures for the years 1882
SS5, but take those of the years named
air to show the difference in the de-
hd for MerinOs to improve the tlocks
woOl-bearing sheep in other States.
Prwards l will show a good reason
the demand has fallen off, and the
It depreciation in the prices of what
we have sold since the act of 1888
t into effect, and how poor a substi-
the markets in Australia and South
81 ia ilS " a. III MAJ NV W
In 1881, II carloads containing
improved Merino sheep were ship
from the railroad station at this
e. In 1886, there was shipped from
same station 16t carloads containing
B improved Merino sheep. | think
best judges of the prices paid for
e sheep will agree with me when |
rt that the prices paid for the larger
Der sen away in 1881 were at least
times as great per head as the prices
for the smaller number sent away
BS6.
e will now consider how much of a
titute the foreign markets we have
ed in South America and Australia
by the act of 1888. The market in
h America was opened practically
t three years ago, and for the three
Pur seasons there have been shipped
all stations in Vermont less than
heep. Although the average quality
9 sheep 80 shipped has been much
pr than the large numbers sold in the
market in 1881, the prices paid have
o., probably, not over One-third pei
for the larger number. So, of the
ralian trade, about 450 have beer
to Australia within a year, the prices
being very low compared with those
for those sold within the United
Is in 1881. The spring of 1888, | solo
n teg to a breeder in western New
for $500. Last spring | sold TO Mr.
McCaughey of Australia, four ran
of the same age that were bred TO /
err type of excellence at 800 each, OF
%one-fourth the price obtained for thu
Eold in the home market just befor,
ct of 1888 went into effect. Is 1t no.
BILE that those manufacturers who
to be willing to barter our home
ket for free wool may find themselveI
n about the same proportions if they
I'D obtain what they are seeking for
this difference against them-Aus
3 and South America are seeking on
D because they can nowhere else fine
D with as compact f1eeces to improv