Year: 1864

The Ohio State Journal publishes the
following interesting letter addressed to
Professor Klippart, Secretary Of the State
Board of Agriculture, by an eminent
House in New York, on the subject of the
wool clip in the West, prices, &c. The
Journal says the New York House is one
of high standing, and the views express
ed by the writer-though not intended
by him for publication-are well worthy
of the consideration of the Ohio and
other Western Wool Growers:


New YORK, June 20, 1864.


M. j. II. CHppart, Columbus, Ohio:


DEAR SIR:-I enclose you an article
published in the Economist of the 18th
by which you will see that there is reason
to suppose that the wool clip this year is
Cor ought to be according to price Of cot
ton) really worth at least 20 per cent.
more than it was last year. The tariff
alone (on foreign wooD will be equal at
the present price of gold to near 20 per
cent against 5 per cent. last year. Cot
ton having reached so very high price,
it is believed by all the best business
men, that it will throw the demand large
ly on wool as a substitute l feel great
interest in having the Western farmers
obtain full value for their wool clip
Whenever the farmer is doing well, bust
ness men do well. IF were in Ohio now,
| should advise the farmers not to be hasty
in disposing of their wool. In all human
probability the army will be increased,
I'd this of itself will produce greatly
increased demand for wool. 1t is almost
certain that the army will be kept in the
field next winter, and there will be prob
ably a million Of men to be furnished with
wool clothing, in addition to the increased
supply required for civilians wear conse-
quent upon the cutting off of importa:
tions by the high tariff on woolen goods.
The wool growers have harvest before
them, or my judgment is greatly at fault.
Ninety cents a pound was offered and re-
fused to-day for a lot of wool that would
average about equal to the medium Of
Ohio wool On Saturday I was shown a
letter from a manufacturer to his agent in
this city directing him not to sell his wool
en- goods except at an advance, for the
reason that he was expecting to pay a dol
lar pound, IF not more for his fall sup
ply of wool. There is very strong spec
ulative feeling here in reference to wool
and the market is being rapidly cleared
out of all desirable lots"


The manufacturers are all afraid Of
each other and are quietly buying every
pound they can at market prices. Here
tofore it has been the custom to make auc-
ton sales of wool at low figures in order to
establish the price for the new clip, but
this year they feared to try that expert,
ment. Wool is to-day altogether the
cheapest article Of merchandise in the
catalouge, and if the farmers part with ii
at less than 81 pound for the good clips,
they will be unwise, and have occasion to
regret it.


I viii be much obliged to you if you
will write me stating your opinion as tc
what the average increase in the clip will
be this year over last. Very truly yours


2. S.-The manufacturers will make
the farmers pay about double prices fol
all woohn goods the coming season, and il
would be unjust if they are inveigled in.
to selling their wool at less than it is fair
ly worth.