ANGORA RABBIT WOOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22058, 14 September 1933, Page 6

ANGORA RABBIT WOOL

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As there are some rather confused ideas ns to the markets and prices for Angora rabbit wool, I shall be grate* ful if you will allow me space to state the correct position. The quantity of rabbit wool imported into Great Britain is approximately 60 tons per annum. The latest report issued by the Customs and Excise Department shows that no less than 124 tons was imported into Britain during May this year. There are no statistics showing the quantity of wool actually produced in Britain, but production and manufacture have increased considerably in the last two years. In America all the rabbit wool produced is used in that country, and imported wool is subject to a protective tariff. Prices quoted in New Zealand are at present as follows; —Super first grade, 32s per lb; first grade, 26s per fb; second grade, 20s per lb; tangled and matted, up to I6s per lb. The difference between the first three grades is one ot length of staple. Whereas super first grade wool should not bo less than three inches and a-half, second grade should bo a little over two inches in length. As wool grows faster for the first inch or so, many breeders prefer to produce second grade wool, thus avoiding the need for grooming the rabbit between shearings.—l am, etc.. G. E. G. Rogers, Havelock North, September 8.