SHEEP WASHING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1015, 19 January 1869, Page 2

SHEEP WASHING.

(From the "Nelson Evening Mail.") We see, by the Australian papers, that the subject of sheep-washing is engaging the serious attention of the squatters in those colonies. The fact that well- washed wools always command a high figure, whilst those which have been badly prepared were scarcely saleable, has been repeatedly forced upon their notice, and never more strongly than since the late alarming reduction that had to be submitted to at the home sales. If this rei duction prove the means of stimulating flock-masters to greater care in the preparation of our great staple, it will have conferred an immense boon on the colonies at a mere nominal cost. Year after year millions of pounds sterling have been lost to the colonies through defective and oftentimes careless washing. We trust that the days of th. old appliances are numbered. It stands to reason that a swim across a creek, river, or pool cannot effectually cleanse a greasy article like j wool. Hence soap, soda, and warm water \ have come into vogue, and notwithstand- I ing the great expense entailed in erecting the requisite machinery and appliances, it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that the outlay is a most profitable investment. At Messrs. Goldsborough's last sale in Melbourne, we notice that one lot of 280 bales realised 22fd. per lb., while greasy and unwashed wools at the same sales were sold as low as 4|d.

We are glad to learn that some of our own flockmasters are bestirring themselves, and that in the province of Nelson, some enterprising gentlemen have this year tried the new plan with great success, and though their outlay has been considerable, the cost has not exceeded Ljd. per head, and instead of obtaining only 14d. or 16d. as formerly, they have every reason to expect 2s. per lb. for this season's clip. We commend the subject to the serious consideration of our sheep-farmers, in the following shape :— -If the rise of ld. per lb on one season's clip, represents a bonus of £130,000 to the colony, what must an advance of 6d. or Bd. alb represent ? Verbtwi sap.