The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-26

Along with other advances in agricultural
and Industrial lines, considerable attention is
being paid just now 10 the growing OF more
sheep in Minnesota. This is healthful sign
as indicating a tendency to diversified farm
ing in this section. Aside from the value OF
sheep for mutton, a meat which is annually
growing in favor in the United States, as it
has long been in favor in England, the pro-
duc,icn of wool is feature of considerable
moment
The woul clip in Minnesota in 1870 amounted
to i0l 1855 lbs, and in 1880, ten years later, the
increase was 0S29 lbs. The increase was
not so marked at the close of the next de-
cade the figures being 593, 125 lbs. The larg
est clip in the history of the state was In 1898,
being 2.S41 .22S lbs. against 1,945,249 lbs in
1890 showing an increase over the clip Of
that year of $685. lbs. But in 1896 the
amount produced only 504,S1S lbs, or a
reduction of 2S6,41O lbs, and in 1897 the total
volume of the clip was 1888 1872 lbs, or a
decrease from that of 1896 of 100, $50 lbs.
During the year 1897 our wool imports
amounted to SOC, $50 4S2 lbs. OF this quantity
"a per cent was of the quality known as car
pet wool. class 3, and &c per cent W s of tn,
higher grade, known to the trade combing
clothing wool. 1t is estimated that when
the mills of the United States are in full opsr-
alton they consume, on the present basis OF
capacity, about 600, ,0CO lbs per annum.
The total amount of wool produced in this
country in 1897 was 259, ,351 lbs or about
4S per cent of the amount used in manufac-
lures. The largest clip in the country's his
tory was in is 8, when the amount rea hei the
aggregate of 309, 74S, 600 lbs
The national wool growers bulletin esd
mates the total quality of raw woo. as the
result of the worlds clip of 1897. available
Cor consumption. exclusive of old stocks, at
2,SO4, 900, coo pounds. 1t is also es imated that
exclusive of old stocks the available supply
cor 1898 viii show falling off of approximate
iy 100000 pounds. 1t is further noted that
these figures represent almost to a totality the
loss in the high-class merino product. The
principal source of old supply of all wool
other than that of the carpet quality Is
Australia. In that country 1t is expected
that there will be shortage in the clip equal
10 that of last year. Touching on this same
point late issue Of Bradstreet's says that
there have been great losses among the col
onies of New South Wales, and Queensland
owing to the prevailing drought in that coun-
try and that in some parts of Victoria hun
dreds of thousands of sheep have only been
kept alive through the process of hand feed
ing. The heaviest losses, however, have beel
sheep has declined from 81, 10000 to AS
00O0O0 within a period of four years. On
the b1sis of an average of six pounds of wool
per head, in the present years crop, it will
be seen that a shrinkage of about 100 900 900
pounds Is apparent in one colony alone. In
summing up the outcome of the drought and
the prospects of the industry in the future the
same journal adds: The disastrous drought
has ruined many stations in the compare lively
mi in iDt tofin uyhin is
seen, ought not to have been established. An
enormous amount of money, in the aggregate,
has been lost on this kind of property. The
Australian woo!-producing industry of the fu-
ture is likely to be confined within the areas
blessed with fairly favorable condi ions and
responsive to concentrated effort.
AS stated above the wool for consumption
from the crop of 1897, exclusive Of old stock
was 2,304 ,00O, 900 pounds. A leading firm of
wool dealers in Londcn, going backward from
these figures into those of other years, has
made an interesting compu alton Of per capita
consumption, which shows that the total pop
ulation of Europe and North America con-
sumed, per head, in 1897, 5.24 lbs of wool; in
1886, 5.19 lbs; in 1885, 542 lbs; in 1890, Ala
lbs, and in 1885, ass lbs. 1t will be noticed
that there has been gradual increase in the
use of wool both in Europe and North Amer
lea, and that in 1895, when the worlds supply
was largest, the per capita use was greatest.
Just what is to be the outcome Of existing
conditions upon the wool trade ITSELF as we'll
as upon manufacturers, the best judges are
indisposed to predict. The American Wool
and Cotton Reporter says: The feeling on
the Part of holders of wool is phenomenally
strong. Nothing but the conditions of the
money market seems likely to unsettle prices
in the near future.
In the light of the evident shrinkage all
the world over in the wool supply, and of
the comparatively small amount contributed
TO that supply by the growers in this country
the time would appear to be seasonable for a
mere general embarkation in the industry of
sheep raising by Minnesota farmers. The
aeaptablity of the climate, the pasturage and
the protection offered by the timber of the
state for rearing sheep on a profitable basis
ought to suggest the enlargement of the in
dustry; but in making the start the fact
should constantly be borne in mind that it
always pays to raise the best; and the choic-
est selections should be made among breeds
both with respect to their merits as wool or
mutton producers. The best wool can be
well grown in Minnesota-better than on the
plains beyond, where the fleece is liable to
be alternately water-soaked and vitiated by
the sands lodged therein by the strong winds
OF the prairies.
TEXAS WHEAT CROP
The wheat crop in Northern Texas is said
to be unusually good this year and farmers
who have struggled through many seasons of
drought will come out in good shape. An
abundant crop with good prices is a combi-
nation that does not happen very often but
this year wheat growers, not only in Texas,
but al over the United States, have been
doubly blessed. From nearly every quarter
reports come that the wheat crop promises
better than for many years.-Drovers' Jour-
nal.
SALES OF HIDES.
Enormous sales of hides were made at lead
ing markets last week and an advance of
one-quarter cent per pound followed. The
packers appear to be reaping a rich profit
and war prices" for leather and leather
goods predicted by those in touch with
the industry. Meantime the fact that no part
of the increased price on hides has found its
way into the pockets of the cattle-owners will
induce some hard thinking on this subject
on the part of farmers.-Breeders Gazette.