The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-03-11
WOOL AND IT'S PRICE.
THE CAUSE OF THE DECLINE MADE
CLEARLY EVIDENT.

| Great lncr~.sse I'm the Worlds Produo-
tion OF Wool Since 1900 Has Forced
the Figure Down-Prohts of Wool Grow
ing Maintained.
Now that the Democratic chairman of
the ways and means committee is out
with his free wool bill, we may look for
a renewed effort on the part of the Free
trade "reformers" to blind the eyes of
farmers to the great and positive benefit.
the tariff on wool is and has been to
them. OF course the unsatisfactory con-
dition of the wool market during the
last year will be ascribed to the tariff.
1t would be well for farmers to be posted
on the facts in the case so as to be pre-
pared to explode their enemy's sophisms.
Wool has indeed fallen in the last fif-
teen months. But so it has been grad
ually falling throughout the century.
This cheapening has come through i'm
provement of breed, vast extension in
| the sheep raising area and consequent
increase in wool production throughout
the world. In 1900 all Europe produced
419, 1885,, 900 pounds of WOOL in 1890 its
production was 701 ,65S 1850 pounds. The
United States grew 7,925,S40 pounds in
1900, 271 ,342 200 in 1890, an increase of
$500 per cent. In the same time the
rose from 1 100000 pounds to 295, 425 200
pounds, an increase of more than %, 900
per cent, while Asia's went from 3d.
49S, $50 pounds to 264, S60,050 pounds,
growth of 500 per cent. Not till 1880 do
we find record of any considerable wool
production in Africa. In that year it
was 100000 pounds. In 1890 it had
grown to 55, 1885, s0 pounds, or $500 per
cent. Even that world renowned wool
producer, Australia, does not appear in
the records till 1880, when it was cred
tied with paltry 2,S6O,0O0 pounds. In
1890 it produced 400,S79, 240 pounds,
growth of 49, 400 per cent. In the mean
time the increase in the worlds popula-
ton was less than threefold. Is it any
wonder that prices have tended down.
ward under this wonderful expansion?
1t does not follow that the profits Of
wool growing fell with the price. There
has been constant improvement in
breeds of sheep and in the weight of
wool obtained from each animal. In this
country the average weight of the fleece
has increased as follows: In 1910, 1876
pounds; in 1850, 2.42 pounds; in 1850, 1858
pounds; in 1870, 3.52 pounds; in 1880, 4.79
pounds; in 1887, pounds; in 1891, 6.6
pounds. The weight and quality of the
carcass for mutton has also been i'm
proved and the science of sheep hus-
bandry so perfected in all directions that
flock masters found, although compelled
by the sharp competition consequent on
an enormously expanding supply in all
quarters of the globe to accept diminish
ing prices, that they could sell their
product for less and less per pound from
year to year without unduly diminish
ing their profits.
1t never was a part of the purpose of
the American wool tariff to retard this
progress toward plentiful wool at low
prices. All rational persons will agree
that it has been priceless boon to hui
mainly that an article so universally
used and vitality necessary to health and
comfort has been placed within reach of
the poorest. The steady increase in the
weight of the American fleece mentioned
above indicates the wonderful advance
in the science and art of wool growing
that has taken place in these protected
United States. 1t is quite safe to say
that we have led the world in this re-
spect, and American breeding sheep have
been sought by wool growers in all parts
of the world for the purpose of improv
ing their foclzs.
Whoever agrees with Andrew Jackson
that wool is so important to our comfort
and safety, both in peace and war; that
we should by all means produce as near
ly as may be all we consume of it, cam
not avoid another conclusion, to wit,
that to Protection alone is due the
credit of preserving wool growing as
one of the great industries of our people.
For so surely as the lily withers in the
winters blast, would American sheep
husbandry have practically disappeared
without Protection. American farmers
could not afford to sell their woods at
the prices received by the Australian or
the Argentine wool grower in the last
ten years. That they have been able to
receive from five to twelve cents pound
more than the outside worlds market
price, has been and is now due to our
protective tariff and to nothing else.