PRODUCTS DISPOSAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17587, 18 September 1917, Page 4

PRODUCTS DISPOSAL.

WOOLBROKERS’ ASSOCIATION SUGGESTIONS.

The following hints to station owners and others regarding the disposal of products have been compiled by the Christchurch Woolbrokers’ Association:

GRAIN. There has certainly never been a time when care in tho preparation of our products for tho markets has been more essential and profitable than at present. Wc need not refer at any length to grain, as its extent and condition are largely dependent upon the seasons and weather. Wo notice, however, that there has been an increasing tendency of late towards threshing wheat out of the s'took instead of carefully stacking it and allowing sufficient timo to elapse for its recovery from the “sweating” process which follows to a greater or {css extent. The samo remarks apply to the other cereals, though the disadvantage of premature threshing in these-—especially oats—-has loss effect than in wheat and barley.

WOOL. It is in wool, however, that the greatest care is necessary if growers are to obtain the best results. Under the new methods of realisation certain changes have taken place which necessitate a more systematic preparation when placing woo! upon tire market, this being notably so in connection with small clips. , In the first place, producers will find it greatly to their advantage to give careful attention to the question of classing. . In large clips there is bu't little improvement which can bo suggested as to the manner in which these are sent forward, and the same remarks .apply to most of the wools passing through properly conducted shearing sheds. It is with small flocks, however, shorn on the farm, where most of the difficulty arises, and, while recognising the impossibility fif dealing with such with the same thoroughness as under the more favourable conditions already alldued to, still a great deal more might be done towards separating the various grades of wool instead of putting them together in one or moro bales. Under the original methods-of disposal, mixed wools had the compettiion of fellmongers, wool-scourers and others, who were m a position to re-sort such lots later at their convenience, and generally to their considerable advantage. The absorption of the whole of the wool by the Government at the present time does away with this competition, and irregular parcels, unless re-classed after arrival m store, suffer accordingly. The inclusion of a few coarse fleeces in a bale of wool affects its value considerably. These should bo placed in a bag or package bv themselves, where they will be dealt with under the ordinary methods of treating bag wool. The following points are worth noting : 1. That mixed halos, i.e., bales containing two or more classes of wool, such as merino and cross-bred, or fleece wool and pieces, are now never sold as such, and /mist bo re-classed

before being submitted to valuation. 2. Small or two-bale lots, though of equal quality throughout, are seldom submitted by themselves, but are grouped, with similar wools into larger lines, much to tho advantage of tho various owners. 3. Bag wools are never offered without being re-classed into larger parcels, and subsequently offered as bales. VALUING. It is scarcely necessary to say that all wools are carefully valued by the broker before being appraised by the Government representatives. Any important differences in values between the broker and the Governmnt nominees are at once referred back to the latter for further consideration. If a difference of opinion still exists, the lot or lots in dispute are referred to the Government supervisor, and in the event of •' the dispute not being then settled the services of the official arbitrator are called in, whose decision is final. The cost of the arbitration abides tho result. If the appeal is upheld the owner gets the benefit of the advance awarded him without any cost to himself, but if dismissed the grower pays the cost of such appeal, i.e., 2s 6d per bale, with a minimum fee of £2 for the lot. It will thus be seen that the producers’ interests are safeguarded in CHii way. It is well, however, that owners should understand that when wool has been submitted to valuation it cannot bo withdrawn without the consent of tho Government, nor can a reserve bo placed on any wools. DATE OF SALES. Under the present system no valu T ation dates are definitely fixed tor any leno-tih of time ahead (as under tho auction system), but there will be a short interval between each valuation, the first of which is expected to take place in November- . The touowing suggestions, if earned out, will also expedite realisation: 1. Send specifications of wool intended tor tne ensuing valuation immediately the wool goes forward2. S'tate on specification note ir the wool sent forward completes the clip, or if thero is more to fohow. 3. Legibly brand and number each bale and parcel with brands and numbers tirrco inches long on the ••cap” end of the bale and on one side. This is absolutely necessary under the new rules ot selling, and if not carried ou'fc by tho owner- it has to bo stored in st-oro at Ids expense, m addition to its causing considerable delay. The only exception to this rule is in tho matter of brands (not numbers, which must be as £>tated), where owner’s existing brand, if it represents a namo instead of one or more letters, and is quite legible, answers tho purpose. The object of this arrangement- is to avoid the ncessity ot rebranding and numbering wcol after the salo before shipmeat, and thus save time and unnecessary labour in delivery. 4. Forward wool as soon as possible after shearing is completed and thus avoid a rush at' tho closing of the catalogues. SHEEPSKINS.

This is another somewhat important item, in tho farmer’s annual turnover, and one in which his returns might in many cases be increased by more careful handling. In referring to tins subject we arc nob including skins from sheep slaughtered at tiio lreez.ug works, the. abattoirs, or any recognised slaughter house, but more particularly to country or form skins. These may bo placed under two headings, viz., what, would bo known as " slaughtered skins,” i-e., skins from sheep killed for home consumption and “ dead’ skins- _ Too often when a- sheep is killed tor home use, tho skin is tnrown over a fonco where, it usually remains for a time with th 0 pelt exposed to the atmosphere, ami thus becomes misshapen and bleached at a considerable loss compared wit-h its \alu-o Jia-i it been properly spread and allowed to drv under cover. Tho same remarks appiv also’ to dead skins to some extent, more especially as to their often becoming so mis-shapen as to render the pelt almost valueless, lixse are considerations worthy of the attention of all sheep owners. Skms sneuld be placed under cover, with tho pelt- side upwards, and the edges turned underneath. Caro should also bo taken to see that skins are kept where they will bo free from the depredations'of rats, mice and other verlUin' HIDES.

There are two main points to be observed hero. One, careful flaying, tho other the preservation of the hide by salting soon after removal from the carcase. Lack of care in these matters is responsible for a very considerable reduction in the market value of hides, value which at the present time represent- a very important: item in the live selling/ price of the animal itself.