YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 4

YORKSHIRE LETTER.

TASMANIAN WOOLS. (From Our Bdcci'sil OorresDondont.) Bradford, September 1, 1911. ' At present there hardly seems to be a single topic that is engaging the attention of tlio wool trade at tliis end, for with tho continued absence of busi n«-s the vetoing of the recent new tariff by President Taft across the Atlantic, and no burning subject before the trade, the situation is just about as dead and uninviting; as wo have soon for many a long day. However, there is always something of an outside nature that can bo discussed by members of the trad* with proiit, and tho present standing of Tnsmanian wools in their relation to the produce of other Australian State is worth more than passing attention. This subject takes its rise from tho position Tnsmaniau sheep occupied at tho last Sydney show, full particulars of which have recently come to England. There is no doubt that Tnsmanian sheop and wool luve a "front rank" position in the world, and it is a pity that the "tight little island" is not a thousand times larger than it is. That cannot be helped, for it is beyond tho power of man to create land, hence the next best thing is to tnrn to good account what there is. Tasmania, no doubt, has a brilliant past when speaking from a pastoral standpoint, and its slicepbrowlers will bo wisely advised to maintain tho noble heritage which has brai handed down to thnn. That Stat? no doubt has been riphtly termed tho garden of Australia, and ifa merino flocks comprise some of the finest eheep found on the face of tho globe. No doubt West Victorian wools are quite as Rood in character, and oftentimes the Skipton clips ale. ijulto m lloncrj, but it is the effect blood has had upon the flocks of Australia which I think gives thein a premier place over the flocks of West Victoria. There is no doubt a handle and quality about somo of the Tasmanian clips which cannot Iμ surpassed, and wo certainly think a mistake has been made by many in their departing from tho breeding of the merino. Of course, the goal before every sheepman is to get out of his etock and land the maximum monetary returns, and, if crossbred sheep are producing a larger percentage of profits, then circumstances probably justify them in farming tho crossbred. At tho same time, tho world is supplying the trade with plenty of crossbred wool, and mutton sheep aro also in adequate supply, and it seems a thousand pities that with Tasmanian wool selling anywhere from 13d. to 17d. per lb. in tho grease, so many breeders havo relinquished tho merino, and aro to-day farming exclusively with crossbreds. CHAKACTUBISTICS OP TASMANIAN MEKINOS.

There is no question of a doubt that Tasmanian merino wool ranks among the best grown in the entire world. We have a quality seoond to none, a handle as soft as velvet, and usually a staple- of good length and soundness. At the same time thcro are some breeders who we are certain have let down the quality of their Hocks. Some two years ago we made eome strong remarks oil this head, nnil they iipwl repeating to-day. At the last series of London sales up to 17d. was made for greasy Tasmanian merino wool, several noted clips making from 14d. to lCd. Other clips did not fare so well, simply because of the presence of strong, whiskery wool in the super combing, a positive proof of the falliug-off in breed and quality. Without buira; too personal, wo could mention more than one case where tho tendency to lower quality is very much in evidence-, and wo are certain the clip is suffering both in name as well as financial returns This is all for tho want of moro careful classing, and tho weeding-out of stud sheep that are running off in quality. It makes a big difference to a clip of wool when uniformity is a leading characteristic, but when it is mixed, and there is 10 per cent, difference in thij spinning value of the wool, it all tells its tale in the yarns and pieces. Wβ oftentimes wish Australian wool-growers could Feo the difference between a yarn mado from well-bred wool and one made from wool wanting in this essential. Them is not only more waste in badly-bred wools, hut they never turn out fabrics so soft and well put together, and to see etronj;, blobby fibres on the surface of a h'no fabric is a feature which at onco leads to trouble on the part of the manufacturer. When these strong, wirey staples aro seen, it means extra sorting and-moro expense, while oftentimes the wool has to be put to an inferior purpose. Wo do impress upon Australian growers the importance of maintaining quality in their flocks. We venture to say that tho stud breeders, which for years have figured bo prominently at the Sydney salus, and whose blood has percolated, as it were, through the flocks of tho entire world, would never have won the position they have if they had not shown irr*at enre in weeding out faulty shorp, and maintaining a uniformity of fleece which is rlesirable in all stud Mieop. Tnsmnnian wrol will always he a primo article in the eyes of wool buyprs, and we sincerely hopo that every endeavour will be mado to bleed that which the trade demands, and for whieh good paying prices will always bo forthcoming.

TASMANIAN BLOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA. We are pleased to say that Tasmanian sheep are being bought in fairly good numbers by South African pastoraUsts, and a prize (lecco t:bal has been rent us from ono well-known Midland breeder noMcsses characteristics which, to say the loast, are very creditable. We are certain that the forward policy at present in voguo among South Airican shcepbreedors finds a hearty reciprocation at tho hands of the wool trade, and nothing better could be dono than for pastoralists iu that part of Great Britain s domains to continue their present line of operations in this respect. We havo maintained for years that there is room in South Africa for stud sheep from South Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales, and wo fully expect in ten years' time to see a further advance made in the Cape clips which come on to the London market. tsbutk African wool does not want so much improving in quality as stamina. Spinners in Bradford know that the. .South Africa fibre is very email the wool comes an excollent colour nn-1 spins exceedingly well, but therr is suc;i a thing as "leanness" in a fine bred wool, and that is where the South African staple has .suffered iu years gone by, nil due to the want of an infusion of new Wood. Wo arc certain that stud sheep from the Australian States alreadv mentioned will remedy tho lack of life*, vitality, and stamina in inanv of the South African clips, and wo fully expect I hat wo shall ultimately see an all-round 25 per cent improvement in the bulk of the wool cominj from that part of th» world. CROSSBItEDS FROM TASMANIA. The supply cf crossbred wool from the little island has no doubt increased in quantity during tho past ten years, and tlwse always ssll remarkably well, particularly comebacks. Climate and paaruraga seem to produce a beautiful sufr handling crossbred, and nothing girw better results than the comebacks from lnsmama. As a rule the crossbreds are somewhat heavy in condition, due r.o doubt to tho generally largo rainfall and beautiful climate, it being their spinning property which singles them «nt as a Riiperor article to even New Zealand «r Reuth American erossbreds. OftmtiroM these wools aro very badlv classed and skirled, but in valuing them buyers made a duo allowance for this deficiency. All the ramp, it is the wnllgrown nature of tho wools, and parficu-l.-vrly thfir filky handle and good spinning properties which make them si romilar with all buyers Tasmania wproa specially suited to produce a poid wn'o'l in every quality, and it is to be hoped that pastom.list» will continue to pay attention to tho principle* of breedin* and so supply the world with oxtellnnt raw material.