Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-10-22
THE GENERAL SCRAMBLE For VIC

The GENERAL SCRAMBLE FOR WOOL.
Nearly l2,00O,000 pounds Of wool
changed hands at Boston last week, and
business at other leading, though less
extensive markets, including New York,
Is more active than recently. These
sales are the largest on record, showing
an enormous business Ia foreign wOols.
Out OF the total 5,il7 900 pounds, or
nearly half, we're imported fleeces, manu-
facturers perhaps realizing that woods at
present prices are not high, and that in
view OF the strength abroad they must
6estir themselves in order TO get reQui-
site supplies. The fact Is, Europe IL
short and anxious TO buy foreign aools,
whether they are moved directly from
Australia, Africa, and Argentina or are
reshipped from this country, our
columns having noted purchases here
for re-export 10 England and the conti-
nent. The unpleasant thing in this il
the fact that these products Of English
looms are sent TO this country in large
quantities and compete sharply with the
product OF our own mills.
Perhaps most important of all Is the
sale of 10000 pounds Mont wool TO go
TO an English spinner, costing the Brad
ford buyer 36 cents per pound, freed
from all grease, this figure being in his
favor compared with the cost Of Aus
tralisn woods of the same grade, the
wide margin now existing between
American and foreign offering tempt
ing opportunity for experiment. Sales
at Boston since January l, $50, ,593. 200
pounds (Gl ,6l7 900 foreign and 1886
600 domestic) against l3l COZ 900 pounds
corresponding period last year, OF which
only l9,3S3,O00 pounds were foreign.
Prices at leading eastern and western
markets are harder than a week ago,
but without general quotable advance.
The sheep industry on the part OF
Scotch and English farmers must be in
fairly promising condition in spite OF
the low price of wool If recent sales of
breeding stock AZ fancy prices form an
index. At the helso sales held last
month Leicester rams sold as high as
el5l per head, or s725, these high-priced
animals going 10 tenant farmers. Thirty
sold realized an average OF 2SS, which
only falls 10 10 Is below the highest
average ever recorded for Border
Leieesters from this flock. British
sheepmen are evidently disinclined 10
give up the fight simply because wool Is
low. They are now beginning 10 be
moved by the fact that during the past
few weeks large number OF American
and other foreign sheep have been sold 10
country dealers there, thence distributed
among farmers "a store stock for feed
ing purposes. As il Is possible 10 put
them on the market At more favorable
figure than the homegrown animals IL
must exert considerable effect on the
sheep values Of that country, and II the
demand continues should indirectly help
New England growers. These American
sheep must pass rigid examination OF
freedom from scab and other diseases.
A recent shipment of live sheep for
mutton purposes from Australia 10 Lon
don proved Improbable. They were
Merinos aud sold at about II cents per
pound, estimated dressed weight, against
top price for American sheep In Eng
land OF Is cents, while choice
English fattened sheep went "a high as
l. cents.-New England Homestead.