Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-01-30
Sheep 1nterest.
AUSTRALIAN WOOL PRODUCTION.

From report of Consul Griffin, just
at hand, the following is condensed: In
my report on the wool trade transmitted
to the Department on the 10Th of March
last it was mentioned that the exports
from all the colonies for the year ending
the Both of June would probably exceed
those of the previous year by 100000
bales. The actual increase, however, ac-
cording to a return just published, was
los, 900 bales. The total exports from the
LIST of July, 1889, to the Both of June,
1890. was ,462, 59S bales, against 1,354,-
$50 bales for the year previous. The in
crease i'm Victoria was 1927 bales and
in New South Wales 1896 bales. The
export from the former colony was 352.-
$50 bales and from the latter 1872 ,9O9
bales. The export, however, from Vic
toria does not represent the product of
that colony. but includes no inconsidera-
bic quantity of wool produced in New
South Wales, which. during certain sea-
sons, finds its outlet in Victoria and
Wales produces eight times more wool
than South Australia and nearly five
times that of Victoria. The demand for
Australasian wool in England and on the
continent was greater than was expected,
especially upon the decline in prices dur
ing the months of February and March
of 1890. The increased demand for Aus
traasian wool is said to be due to the def
cheney in the supply of the river Plate,
which showed decline of $4,000, 900 lbs.
from that of last year. 1t is believed in
Sydney that there will be a strong de-
mand for Australasian wool in New York
and Boston and other manufacturing
cities in the United States. The woods
required for the American market, as
often mentioned in my reports, are long
staple, very soft, light and fine, and of a
bright color. Such woods invariably
command excellent prices, whether pur-
chased in the colonial or London markets.
The number of sheep in Australia on
March /, 1890, was about l05 100000.
The returns from all the colonies have
not yet been published, but those received
show that there has been an increase IN
New South Wales of 3.G03, 297 over the
number for last year, the figures being
4G, SOB 400 for 1889 and 80, LOG, 7GS for
1890. The total number of sheep in the
whole of the group for 1889 was 96,5S0,-
$50. OF these New South Wales had
46, SOB ,4j9; Victoria, l0,SlS,57 Queens
land. l3.444 ,005 : South Australia, 7,l50,-
600; Western Australia, all 1872; Tas-
mania, ,430,07S; New Zealand, l5,l22 =
1873; total, 96,5S0, $50. The rate of in
crease in New South Wales has been re-
markable, the number having nearly
doubled since 1873. In the latter year ii
was %, l06, 76S, and in 1890, as previously
stated, 80, l0G,7GS.
A local authority estimates the total
number of combing Merino sheep in New
South Wales at "a ,645, 632 and the cloth.
ing sheep at ABB 200, thus making the
total number of Mernos 4S ,959,34l. The
long wooded sheep numbered 1854, OF
which 1850 were Romney Marsh ordin
AIRY Tincolns, 1858 and Leicesters
176,9S3
During the year 1889, l43 sheep were
imported into New South Wales from
England and other countries. OF these
81 were American Merinos, German
Merinos, English Southdowns, 2C
Shropshiredowns and ~ Lincolns. Dur
ing the year 4077 sheep passed through
quarantine, and the inspectors report
that in almost every case they suffered
little injury while IN quarantine. Mr.
Bruce, chief inspector of live stock, is o
, the opinion that the Lincolns among tn,
long-wooled sheep give the best returns
in wool, AS well as in weight of mutton
and that the crOss-breeds come next.
According to the number the total clil
would be SO, 553, 1856 sheep shorn in tn
= grease; average clip. pounds l3t ounce
per sheep, making 2l3,6ll ,596 pounds