OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 227, 25 September 1907, Page 6

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

FINE WOOLS,: ~.

ASSET:

(From Our Special Correspondent.., BRADFORD, Aug. 16. „ If one goes back 25 years we tad that then the first plank on the platform oi: a merino sheep breeder was quality, and nobody seemed to ever think that this aspect of woolgrowing was overdone. The writer well remembers paying his first visit to boloman Street Wool Exchange, and almost the first lot of wool he saw sold realised the handsome figure of fs 10d per Ib. Since then H. Ii well and Co., at the January-February series, lbb&, had the distinction of selling a lotoi: Ercildoune lambs at 5s o*d per !■>■, 'which so far is the world s reccrcl. Those were days when wool rum;nig 70's and 80's quality was tha rule and not the exception; and when some very handsome figures were forthcoming, even for the regular lots of Australian merino grease. Growers everywhere semed to appreciate quality in no mean way, whereas to-day that can hardly be said. No one will dispute the facfc that the majority of the merino sheep breeders of Australia are pursuing a policy quite opposite, to what their fathers did, and instead of breeding sheep to grow fine, fr-iHcy fleeces, they, have seemingly "all on"' in producing a class of sheep that will grow a big, bulky fleece of medium and strong combing wool.

A CHANGED POLICY

Looking at the changed policy of a large number of stud sheep breeders, it is indeed questionable if there is wisdom in the line of action which they are at present adopting. We have little- hesitation in saying that it the craze for big, bulky sheep growing strong merino wool goes very mucii farther, not many years will elapse before buyers will cry out^in no uncertain way. and especially Continental operators who are still strong supporters of fine haired wools. The writer has lately been brought into touch with many "Australian sheepbreeders, and nothing has struck me more than the spirit of rejoicing which xnany express at growing big, bulky fleeces of 58's to 60!s quality. "We must say that such wools as these are not an ideal of the trade for merinos, and many buyers pass them by as being simply finecr.ossbreds. This means that ■ competition is more limited than ii: the wools were finer in quality. THE SHEEPBREEDER'S ARGUMENT. About every question there are •always two sides. Even to this one the sheepbreeder has a perfect right to be heard as well as the wool buyer, and as both parties have 'many interests in common, we wHI briefly look at the argument of the wool growers in favour of what they call " balefillers." There can be no doubt that sheep growing big, bulky, dense fleeces of broad stapled wool fill a bale much more quickly than those growing finer fleeces. Everything is undoubtedly reduced from the sheepbreeder's standpoint to a financial basis, and the latter argue that- it Says them better to grow a ten pound eeee of strong and medium quality, than it cloes a six to seven pound fleece of fine wool. Inhere is no doubt a good deal of force in that argument, and the returns per head are the only proper basis on which to form a correct estimate of the paying properties of a station. During the past two or three years there has undoubtedly been a very good demand for what we call good medium quality merinos, but how long is that going to continue? Owing to special requirements fine merino wool is likely to realise excellent prices even in a slack market, and the demand for this class of "wool is always certain.. That cannot be said for the strong class of merino wool which is so largely being grown today, and when supplies become more adequate and trade less vigorous than what it now is, both demand and price for these coarser merino wools will tell their tale. Growers no doubt; have a perfect right to produce what in their opinion is paying them best, but the almost universal tendency which is seen in Australia to grow big, bulky fleeces, and to ignore quality, is.not a factor which isjtneeting with the approval of the majority of buyers, and the da£ of revolt is certain to com© if the craze is carried too far v The trade to-day as much appreciates fine quality wool as ever it did, and the samples given below of the high prices realised at the March series of London sales is ample proof of the favour in which these wools are held. Some of the clips named below are the signal to the entire trade to look at every lot, and some buyers there are who appreciate the wools so much that when they are catalogued they will make a special journey to London to inspect and buy them. A FEW TYPICAL EXAMPLES. It is always said that the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and in wool the verdict of buyers decides practically everything. Many a buyer will pay id more for what he fancies, and wools which are a specialty, say those produced on such stations as Langi Will), Ercildoune, Carngham, EO (Wooriwyrite), Shaw, Dunlop, Trawalla, Plains, Too-rale* etc., never fail to call forth the - best buying strength oi; the entire market. We have taken the trouble to get out a few first-class clips, and the following particulars regarding their sales are well worth putting on record: — S. Wilson/Ericildoune. — Scoured super comb WH, 2s 6jd; scoured Ist comb EH, 2s ojd; scoured broken 2s; scoured pieces, Is 10* d. R/Langi Willi. — Washed very superior lambs, 3s lOd; washed very superior lambs, 3s 9id; washed very superior comb, .yrlgs, 2s Gd; washed very superior comb, yrlgs, 2s s£d; washed very superior c3o. yrlgs, 2s 6d; washed very superior clo., 2s 4£d; washed very superior pieces, 2s. EO.—Grease superior lambs, Is 9d ; grease Ist lambs, Is 8d; grease extra super combing, Is 44d; grease lafr combing, Is 4d. Plains.—Grea>y super lambs, Is 6£d; greasy Ist lambs, Is 4d; greasy super combing, Is 6kl; greasy Ist combing, Is 4d

The greasy lambs noted above selling at Is 9d per 1b is a world's record, and as Llook at them to-day, they are about as perfect as merino lambs can ever hope to be. It has been frequently mentioned that these lambs, both washed and greasy, all go for making: underclothing for Royalty and the aristocracy,, but whether that be so or no, the growers are rewarded and honoured for commanding prices which should make the mouths of other breeders water.

PRACTICAL LESSONS FOR GROWERS. The above offers a nlain moral and *oim> gocKl > SKOn? for those growers Mho are wulm* to learn. S n the astronomical world there arc the sun and ttie stars, and so i;< t!»? sTioepfcreedine world there arc a few at the top who

command the most emminence, the most attention, and the biggest prices, and (jfuite a host of other little luminaries who are the rank and file. The object of this little article is to induce Australian wool-growers to look ahead a little- and to appreciate the finest and the best fleeces. The manufacture of underclothing is to-day a very big and growing industry, and those engaged in the production of vests, pants, shirts, pyjamas and the like know how essential it is to secure some fine, soft, merino wool from which to make their fabrics. To use rough, hairy fibred wools would be disastrous simply because of the tich which would be set up by the'rough garment. As far as one can see the future openings for fine merinos is as good as ever. With the general tendency to grow 60's to 64's quality, and the growing scarceness of 70's and upwards, there is certain to be a greater difference between the price of the two articles. We say unhesitatingly to all wool-growers handling sheep the wide world over, don't undervalue quality. This is the special feature which has done most for this breed of sheep, and instead of running after sheep growing strong 60's, preserve quality, and tuard well the entrance into your ocks of any class of merino which will make a mere bye-word in the wool world. MERINOS THE SOUNDEST ARTICLE. Although this district continues to be largely influenced by holidays, still there is business doing, merinos especially dominating the situation. Interest very largely centres around fine wools, and there is no disguising the fact that these are a long way the better article of the two. Topmakers are finding a fair amount of business, and most have lately sold. A very general quotation continues to be 2s 3Jd ior a super 60's top, and up to 2s 4£d is being made by one firm. Commission woolcombers are generally well employed, but there is not that pressure that there was, and here and there part night work has been knocked off. The most satisfactory feature continues to be consumption, and here there is no slackening whatever. Spinners are exceedingly busy, and particulars are being sent in with conspicuous freedom. In fact, spinners cannot get out yarns fast enough to meet their customers' wants, and on all hands there is pressure being put upon machinery in Botany departments. Many are making preparations for leaving for Australia in the course of a few weeks, and the usual contingent are leaving with'no forward busi- | ness having yet been done. The feeli ing to-day is strongly against selling \ forward at less than what are current rates, and as fashions seem to be favouring the consumption of fine wools, topmakers are not going to sacrifice their position as they did last ■ year. "" Coarse crossbreds are not much dif- | ierent, though what change there is is all on the side of betterment. A | i j i ! I

few fresh orders for tops have been given out by Continental firms, and this has brought about a little more enquiry. A very decent 40's top can be bought at 13d, and what business is doing is all on that basis. Spinners are fairly busy in low crossbreds, but they are not ho strongly entrenched as are merinos. What is wanted is a fresh buy of yarns, but a struggle over price is.likely to continue until either party is forced into the market. Mohair shows no change, and the reasonable price of Cape offers no one a hindrance for not buying. Spinners are all satisfactorily engaged in completing old contracts, and if anything both Cape and Turkey can be bought at a shade less money. Still, there is nothing whatever for anyone to get alarmed over, for bright goods are coming fabrics.