The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-01-19

rule firm. The statistical position of
the raw material is considered a
strong bull point in the situation on
the other side. Stocks of wool are
low in the northern hemisphere, and
all the great s~heep-raising countries,
without exception, show reductions
of flocks, both merino and crossbred.
In Australia the drought fortunate
ly appears really to have broken at
last, but the effects of this will not
be felt this season in spite of, as re-
ported, some of the flocks cutting
a heavier weight of fleece.
Territories in Demand.
In the local market the past week
the demand has run mostly to terri
tories, especially to those grading
half-blood. Staple woods have been
in relatively better request, and this
applies to feeces, as well as to terri
tories. There has also been an ex-
cellent inquiry for pulled woods, but
the felting woods, such as Texas and
California, have ruled quiet.
There is still an excellent inquiry
for the low woods, for odds and ends,
and "off'' stock, and if supplies of this
class of stuff had been larger, there
would have been more sold. Prices
on all the lower grades of stock are
firm.
Texas, California and Oregon.
In Texas woods there is very little
business to report. Eight months
woods are in fairly good supply. What
little there is selling brings about
48c, secured, of Ice in the grease.
Fall woods, which are in very light
| stock, are quiet and sell in a small
way at 45c, clean. The demand for
both fall and spring Texas, as we'll as
California, has thus far failed to meet
expectations, although there has been
a pretty fair demand for fall Texas
for rain cloths and lettings.
California woods are in very moder-
ate movement. All seem to be await
ing developments in the goods mar
ket. The northern woods, for which
the demand is limited, sell at 10000,
clean; middle county at 47@48c; fall
woods at 43@45c; and defective stock
at 32@33c.
Oregon wool is in small demand,
but is in light stock, and prices are
firmly held. Good staple Oregon costs
5O@52c, clean. About $4,000 pounds
have been sold at 16@17c in the
clean.
Territories.
While territories are not as active
as they were a walk ago, there have
been further sales of a few sizeable
; lines, and some large business is re
. ported to be under negotiation now
: including fine and fine medium, a:
y we'll as medium. The large purchaser
, of territories before referred to is III
( derstood to have paid prices ranging
from 16 to 1870 for original clip!
1 running SO to 60 per cent staple, grad
ing fine and fine medium, the prize
L varying according to shrinkage
. length of wool and general condition
l On a clean basis fine clothing ha
sold at 49@50c, and a strictly fin
y selected staple at 53@55c Fine me
dunn clothing has sold at 45@48t
Z and a high fine medium at 48@49l
t There has been an excellent inquir
for half-blood territory, which ha
sold at 46c for clothing. Some hig
II at SOC. Quarterlbloods continue to Il
called for and have sold at 43c, cleal
Some of the smaller mills have bee
represented in the market the pa!
If week, both worsted and wooden, an
have bought with fair freedom in lot
a. running from 100000 to 150,0'
red to included mostly Idahos, w
at omings and Montanas, which We
O. moved within our range of quotation
tie Some Utahs have also been taken
g. a clean cost of about 46@47c for fiji
medium. There is, also, still a got
is inquiry for fine and medium scour'
ne territory.
Receipts and Shipments.
The receipts of wool at Boston tn
week, last week and for the corr
he spending week last year were as f
ct lows:
IS. This week-9,5S3 bales domesti
be 1922 bales foreign. Total, 1885 bale
~ This week-13.4S1 bales domesti
1 Q05 ha1oc fOraipn Total TX 406 hale