OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 6

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

(From Oujr Special Correspondent.) Bradford, March 5, MERINO SHEEP-BREEDING IN GERMANY.

What ehespman, cither in the colonies or America, has not heard of the famous Saxony merinos and their fine wool ? Why, since we can tell, when anyone w&r shown a fine-haired wool, the first question asked would bo, "Is it Saxony ? " Long be-fore the merinos of either Australia, South Africa, or Americi were known the merinos of Germany and Spiin had made for themselves both a n&me and a mark, aud although Australia to-day ranks firtt in the production of fine merino wool, yet fine Saxony still commands strict attention. As information on the art of breeding these sheep is so sparse — f\nd yet they claim to be the originals — a littls light on the subject canco!) fail bu'i be interesting to those abroad breeding sbeep.

The main features in the various stages of the development of the merino industry of Germany miy be classed as follows :—: — 1. In the first quarter of the present cenfcnry the tendency followed by Saxony merino breeders was a purely "Electric" one — Shat is to say, a tendency to ths selection of fiuewoolled animals for ths purpose, of breeding short, superfine cloth wools, without regard of the weight cf tbo fleece or the ptcuetui-e of ths individual animal.

2. In the second quarter of a century, what may be termed the " Negrelti system" was followed— namely, the production of great masses of fine eloih wools ; while during tho last quirter, commencing abouh 1S6 1 !-, the tendency has been towards the production of combing woolp. In a late report on this subject ths German Travelling Agricultural Society, after a yearly show, speak on the b/esd and wools as follows : " How to pass on to a general opinion on tho two categories falling under "cloth woiis," and more particularly lo tho two sub-sections relating to fineness and evenness ot fleece (texture). There have been some exhibits under this category showing the virtues at well as the faults.

First Sub-secfcion : — The cvil — viz., over-ten-derness of akin and body due to pampering for thn purposs of breeding wool of an extra fine quality— so observable ay previous exhibitions, and which became fatal in so many instances, is very much lessened. Second Sub-section. — The unnatural stimulation of lh a skin for the production of masses of wo6l, to the greifc detriment of the physical health of the animal, has baan Bkilfujly, and in some cases wholly, avoided. In all cases a marked improvement can be affirmed. We do not hesitate to give it as our opinion that for the purpose of manufacturing cloth no better wool ia to be found in any parb of the world, and it ia a matter o£ national congratulation 'that our flocks yielding such wool are still so numerous all over Germany.

Besides the flocki we have ju^t discussed, and nexn to them and equal to the be^fc, stood the one representative of the " staple type " of wool — a fl .ck well ka^wn and of high repute. The masterly skill in selection and breeding has also made the name of the former owner of this flock known to every breeder of meriuo sheep in every parfc. of the world. . . . The German breeder of merinos is being compelled by circumstances to take into special consideration the production of size' of carcase for the purpose of the hutcher, and the enthusiastic ejaculations of breeders of fine-woolled sheep of former days — •• We are not butchers" — is more rarely hpard. Blest now brings in more than wool, and Germany has alsD to meet the competition, not only of the great quantities of seaborne wool, but also of the "shoddy" of the whole world and the surrogates of wool manufactured therefrom.

To any unprejudiced judgment, it wiJl have been clear that in all the numerous flacks exhibited at the great "show held during the present year, the uniform tendency on the part of breeders of merinos has been to produce &n animal easily reared, requiring a minimum of food aud fit for the butcher at 12 monthß old, with a fleece even, stcoug and fine, and neither too close nor too loose.

The large purchases by the flock masters of Russia, Poland, Hungary, and the British colonies recently made in Germany is eloquent testimony to the soundness of the principles of breeding as enunciated above, and although tbo profits may nob ba oa the same ucale »» in former luckier times yet the intelligent breeder will not remain without bis reward.

WOOL STILL QUIET.

Unquestionably trade keeps very quiet, and thi3 is in no sense a sellers' market. Everybody seems to eagerly long for more to be doing, but where to find an increase or a possibility of making a satisfactory sale, not a few know not where to go. But for all that colonial descriptions are being held very tightly, and the belief is current that London next week wiil lift up its voice strongly against any reduction whatever in the price of wool. But unfortunately the standard of Bradford is not ths standard of London, and even if trade is poor men would

find some consolation if prices at all were equal with those ruling ab the distributing centre. With a very limited demand for yarns and pieces, top-makers aud staplers who most sell have to force trade, and this soon produces n weakness all round. But "one fucb is very eigaificant, aud that is the altogether changed attitude of business at this important junction with America. When six a.nd a-half years ago this diatrieb's trade was strongly threatened with a M'Kinley tariff a rush of goodn commenced in dead earnest at once, bub t>day the knowledge for months that M'Kinley himsc'.f would this week nscend to tLe presidential c-hair, and that a seeo-id edition oF stringent tariff measures was being framed, has no v , produced the slightest effect; upon business in either yarus or manufactured textiles. Whereas in 1890 the rush from tbis country was in made-up piece goods, the rush to-dayas in the raw article itself, and wool here, " on the quiet," continues to receive practical support; from America. All this continues to deal a crushing blow to the Bradford trade in general, and there is every indication of the American manufacturer more and more becoming tho .master of their own large and valuable market. Under these conditions what trade is doing consistß only in supplying real existing needs, and an yob there is no expansion whatever. In 32's and 36'fl lustre tops prices are down at the lowest point that has ever been, touched, and both in liner c;o«sbreds and merinos there ia not much . doing. Yarn spinners report as yet no improvement, but in pirco dress goods there ia more I doing ; but worsted coatiuga keep as flat as ever, ■ with price 3at the bottom.