Year: 1868

We regret the tone of dependency
which pervades so many of our ex-
changes in regard to wool growing.
Wool is down, notwithstanding the pro-
tective tariff, and it is very natural for
men who have been receiving sixty cents
Q pound to look upon forty cents as poor
pay. Some are reducing their tiocks,
and others are selling out entirely. A
few, and We think they are the wise
ones, are taking advantage Of the low
price of sheep to increase thei. hOcks,
and be ready for the rise which they
think is sure to come. The temporary
depression in the wool market should
not lead flock masters to abandon their
plans, and change their stock; if favor
ably situated for sheep husbandry, they
should hold on patiently. and wait for
better times. We want to see this busl-
ness put upon permanent basis, and
pursued as steadily as beef or pork
making. The demand for its products,
mutton. and wool, is quite as steady,
and as likely to increase in the future.
Nothing can be more certain than that
this nation will continue to wear wool
en- garments, and to eat mutton, and IN
increasing proportion as the market IS
better supplied with these articles. 1t
is not strange that these products are
cheaper than they were last year. Wool
and mutton vary no more in price than
pork and butter. A variation oftwenty
or thirty per cent. in these articles in
the course of q year is not uncommon.
But farmers ought not on that account
to give up the raising of butter and
pork. If they keep on steadily with the
industry their farms are adapted to,
they will be ready for the rise when 1t
comes, and make money. Almost every
kind of business has its period of de-
preston, and there is no reason why
sheep husbandry should not take its
turn.


Wool, we think, has about touched
bottom, and farmers may look for better
prices another year. There were very
large imPortations Of wool and woolen
goods during the war, and the year that
followed, in anticipation of the high
tariff that was called for. This immense
importation still affects the market.
ShOddy has also been very largely used
in the manufacture of wOolen goods,
and the unfortunates who were once
taken in with this article are in tenn
per to cry aloud for garments made Of
the last clip, fresh spun and we've. Pan
falcons that do not last out half their
days are not the article to make sheep
look amiable in the eyes of the public.
Shoddy, we trust, has had its day, and
is bound to the compost heap, where
old wooden garments should bring up.
Another hindrance in the way of wool
growing, the dogs, are likely to be re-
moved very soon. Several of the States
have efficient dog laws, and the sheep
killing ours are greatly reduced. All
that is wanted now, is steady policy
on the part of flock masters, and con-
cert of action, to secure a national dog
tax, and to put wool growing on as firm
a basis as it has in England. The in
PRODUCTION of the middle and long wool
sheep has greatly increased the con-
sumption of mutton among us, and
these animals are SO well appreciated
that VIC shall have to raise them, II we
get pay for their flesh only. Though
the present price of mutton is low, 1t
cannot be n very bad business to raise
South Downs and Cotswolds, at the
prices they bring. We say then to the
flock masters who are planning for the
future, do not be in haste to abandon
sheep husbandry. The tiocks are steadily
enriching your pastures, and if you hold
on steadily, they will enrich you.