YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1155, 16 June 1911, Page 8

YORKSHIRE LETTER.

SOME ITEMS OF INTEREST. (From Our Special Correspondents.) ErauToru, May i, Mil. It. has often been siiid that there arc tops and tops, just like cream and cream. That is verily true, and will remain so to the end of all time. It is really surprising the different standard which obtains with many people, for what one will call a good super GO's, another will designate as Gl's, and I have heard scores of times even an average •It's top spoken of as a good -id's. Wo have one firm in Bradford who make what they call Ws B, this top being largely bought by spinners, who use it in conjunction with iO's by running up ramo in the drawing operation.- This Ws top is rather finer than id's, and a little shorter in staple It is not a super II'?, but really above a JO's, and for certain purposes it dees admirably. Anyone at all conversant with the trade knows that a blending of these two qualities will produce a very good spinniiis toy, and wooi is therefore sorlcd in that way. It is no uncommon thine for a firm to make three standard qualities c ay of lO's, 4G's, SO's, sG's, Gfl's, and Gl's'tops, the wool being sorted and clashed according lo length of staple and also quality. In this way the most is made out of every halo of wool, and they are thus enabled to utilise to tho utmost advantage all the raw material they buv. That is the only way it, these lean times to turn to good account what oftentimes seems to bo a dear parcel of wool. These thoughts are the direct outcome of a conversation I recently had with a spinner over the spinning quality of Bradford lops, it beiug his contention that tli-jy had depreciated ten pei cent, compared with ten years ago, all duo to topmakers resorting to blendins with pieces and tellies in tho production of both merino and crossbred tops. In other words, it 13 tho ra-ge for cheapness which is tho direct outcome of this complaint, and I am sorry that this is so. There are hrms in Bradford who are to-day producing an excellent combing, and their top in regard to its spinning capacity is never questioned. Thsy have a standard to work to, everybody knows what it v;ill do, and he it said to the honour of several firms they maintain that standard. That really is the only way to build up a good business. I have never been a believer in "faking" and blomlinu, for I am certain that such tops can never produce satisfactory results in the finished fabric. I could tame several firms both in the woollen and worsted trades who nre to-day moro particular than ever about buyinr good wool._ It is with them not so n'nich a question of prico as securing material suitable for their purpose, and thsy know distinctly that if they would have cood results they must u?,a that material which in the natural order of thing; will bring about the desired end. I say'uucondition" ally that all inferior classes of wool are suitable for producing second and. thirdrate goods, and anyono attempting to olstain excellent fabrics out of, say, pieces, bellies, and locks, will be sadly disappointed. Thesa wools have their'distinct usos, but they want confining to tho production of what nature has fitted them for, and if they are not, then tho user must be prepared for unsatisfactory results. Here comes in the true art of sorting, and I am urging this point to readers of this issue, for tho subject is applicable alike to both growers as well of users of tha raw material. I am more convinced than ever that it pars everyone to spend time in tho proper handling of the raw material before it goes into tho scouring bowls, for onco it passes through there and becomes mixed, with other sorts it is too lato to separate tho different descriptions. ■

PINE FIBRE VERSUS WOOL. The spring meetings of the Textile Institute held at Manchester last week-end have brought to light the announcement that fine fibre is suitable for textile manufacturing purposes, a paper bping read by a Swedish gentleman, who is very confident of obtaining good results from its use. I have had tho privilege of inspecting a piece of! so-called cloth produced from this material, and it possesses certain characteristics which are very favourable. It is really surprising what can be done with present-day machinery, and for producing certain descriptions of Roods, no doubt it will be all right. This feems to be paper pnlp, which is very hard pressed, then twisted and cut into fine sections, representing yarns which are woven. Tho cloth I have before me is certainly very strong, and according to tho inventor it can be used for the making of packing twine and cords, saddle bags for furniture, the foundation for carpets, and even its use for the manufacture of wool packs is mentioned. I readily accede tho point that it will servo a * good purpose in the production of certain fabrics, and be used in conjunction with cotton, hemp, and jute, but I cannot possibly see bow paper pulp will ever bo used in the production of dress fabrics or cloths for men's wear. It is mentioned that this paper cloth can be used for wool packs, providing it is sufficiently strong to stand tho test of crane hooks, and the rough handling which bales get from the. station to tho ■mill doors of Eurnp*. The only advantage I sre is the smooth surface of the cloth, but I question very much indeed if this material will stand the test of being knocked about. Personally, I liavo no faith whatever in this paper cloth ever supplanting the use of wool in any wav, (hough I con see it being successfully usfd in conjunction with hemp, cotton, and jute. The reader of the article says

that it is vr-ry fuit.-.hle for producing corn s-ack?, but like many moro inventions of thf tame nature only time and usage can demonstrate whether or no it is suitable, for the purpesw claimed.

MEIIIXOS MARKING TIME. The market this week is to a large extent waiting on London, and although thcr-a is a band-to-mouU, business pns?ing. still there is not ths. volume of trade (hat wo have boen accustomed to seeing during recent weeks. No party really could expect it, and I am certain that trade has kept up remarkably well. Users cannot lie for ever increasing their financial obligations, raid having'had a good meal, thc-y naturally want, to digest Fame. Topmakers are feeling very easy, and are satisfied that they need not bo anxious sellers, notwithstanding there is a large weight of wool to bo lifted during the next three weeks. With the trade in its present temper, it is generally recognised that the task will be comparatively easy, for with each succeeding series, a longer time will have, to elapse before the arrival of the next clip from Australia. As far as one can see, the. biggest importers will bs the biggest buyers, this being one of the- outstanding features of the trade this year. I have previously said that some 1 firms never seem choked with the raw material, a clear proof that they must have sold forward sonic tremendous weights. It is really delightful to hear some Bradford combers talk; for what th-sy say is the best proof possible of the excellent trade doing. The stock of tops is exceedingly light, ?.m\ meiinos especially are going out as fast as they are combed. All hands are working at high pressure, and I don't think there is a single idle woolsorter on the books of the trade union. In fact, work could be found for at least 250 extra porters at half a dozen firms, but if the wool was sot ready for the combs, the difficulty would be in getting same through the machines. Notwithstanding several firms having of lale put in new machinery, there is still no sign of relief, and it really is surprising the magnificent time combers are enjoying. Prices aro all very firm on last week's basis, and I don't think wo are likely to Fee much actual advance, unless London goes stronger than is generally supposed.

CROSSBKEDS STEADY AND FII»r. The position of crossbrods docs not show a great deal of change. Topmakers are content to wait tho outcome ot Coleman Street, fully satisfied that prices will be maintained. The fact is, everything indicates n sound position, and although America is giving very littls support, values aro all" very steady and firm. Fins cro-sbreds are moving in sympathy with merinos, and consumption is well maintained. Hosiery spinners ire all very well emnloyed, and some good weights of id's and 55's tops are being consumed. Medium cros=breds aro also very steady and firm. Sonin fair weights continue to bn sent abroad, and it certainly is satisfactory to note that the Continent is absorbing some good quantities of both 41 's and 16's carded tops. I have heard this week some shippers comnlain j-ather bitterly at the absence, of new business, and they frankly admit that thert is not tho ac-tivify abroad that there is in Bradford, and that neither German uor Enssian houses will pay tho prices which are being demanded "in Bradford to-day. I also heard the head of one largo shipping lions? say that their returns for lnslmonth were down a'good few thousand pounds sterling compared with April. 1010. and there was no disposition abroad to follow the upward trend ef wool values. Still, thinrrs in Bradford aro very firm indeed, and there is no evidence of a slowing down. When we come to coarse crossbred?, conditions are very similar, and liere too tspirmlcnrs arc very firm, simply bccaitro they hav same fair bit; weight's yet to deliver. Thirty-sixes aro a very .senrre article, and wanted. A man might pnjs-.ibly buy a Rood top of that' count at I3jd., but tho majority are asking lid.