OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 8

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

XFsou Ovs. Special Cobkespoxdext.) BRADFORD, January. 13■WOGI, AND MUTTON. Qieep breeding and feeding is probably jbne of the largest, most extensive, and mostimportant industries in the -world. How snany are the millions That, one way or anjother, depend upon it, one is tumble to icompute. Common knowledge, however, of the everyday requirements of the .human race at once shows that few — if, indeed, any —beings exist in the civilised world who do not, in some manner or other, utilise the juoducts of this important industry. In out* 6wn country, from time immemorial, it jbas always taken a- prominent place, Lut Eh cc th i introduction of th© swede and otl-er varieties of the turnips and green 'crop, its importance to the agricultural inle-

rests has boon greatly increased. There is no better, more economical, or more profitable way to maintain and increase the fertility of the soil than by feeding the crops produced to sheep, which, whilst they aro daily growing in valuo, at the same time, by the food they consume, add to the fer-tility-of the land co that extent that one, and oftei two, crop* are taken from the land without any additional manure.

The high value of the Biitish sheep is fully recognised abroad, and it may be said with considerable truth, far more appreciated there than at home. The value of the assafes that our country has at the present time in its purebred flocks is verj great. Year by year large numbers are taken from our best flocks to almost every country in the woild, for the purpose of improving the flocks in those countries, and thus to enable them to send to our rrarkets supjjlies of mutton which, though not eqval to the fiist qualities produced at home, are a nio i t acceptable addition to the food supply of the country. No matter to what part of tfr.3 world on-e looks, there the same fact is clearly shown — sheep are a feature all the vorld over. What they have done for Australasia and New Zealand all are fully awsie; likewise of the enormous amount of wealth that has accrued to their owners in the estancieros of the Argentine and the vast prairies in North America and Canada.

The demand for English stud rams in the States would become of much greater importance were the same means followed as were followed in respect to the Argentine market — namely, shipping rams en bloc for sale at the important market centres. There can be no question but that for English stud rams of good average merit there can readily be found for them in America a profitable market and a very large demand.

Years ago, it was said the time would come when the foreign and colonial markets would be filled and satisfied. Experience has amply proved the fallacy of this contention, for as year succeeds jear the demand, instead of being smaller, has even under the present adverse circumstances a tendency to increase. The relative importance of wool and mutton is a subject to ponder over. Wool has certainly held the premier position, for it was not until almost the end of the- last century that our agriculturists b&gan to appreciate mutton at its full worth, and it was very much* owing to the skill and enterprise of Bakewell that they were induced to develop the meat-producing capabilities of their flocks. During the first decade of the last century strong efforts were made to raise the merino into the proud position of the most fashionable of the sheep breeds of this country. The- Sovereign led the way, and the Windsor Royal .flock of G-eorge 111 produced rams vhich realised high prices. The finer wools were difficult to be procured from abroad, owing to Ihe French war, and it was only natural that there should have arisen a patriotic endea/voui to breed at home the sheep best calculated to yield ihem.

There would seem even to have been an attempt made to develop the mutton-bear-ing capability of the merino, for in I&C9 the Smithfield Club resolved to offer prizes for merino sheep. This breed is only wealthy, however, in wool, and the attempt to make it popular for grazing purposes in England entirely failed. Its crosses could, of course, be profitably utilised for the purpose, just ai. thos3 of blackfaced, Exmoor, and other mountain shee^ have been. The rise and developmeat of merino wool rendered it no longer necessary to propagate merinos in England. Statistic? show that wool imported in 1815 was chiefly from Spain, which country supplied 6,927,9341b in that year, compared with 3,137.4381b from Germany and 3,416,1321b from other parts of Europe. Australia then only furnished 73,1711b.

From 1830 to 1840 Germany was the chief exporter of wool for British manufactures, but since then Australia has sent a great deal more than all th© rest of the countries put together; in fact, almost entiroiy supplying the finer wools. Of late years English flock masters have regarded sheep irvore from a mutfcjn-yielding point of view than was ever the case bofore. To such an extent has this been the case that several entirely new breeds have been created, in crder to combine early maturity with sub stfiice and high quality. The Shropshire, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire breeds all owe their origin to the la-.t century ; and. indeed, we may adJ several others. In large sections of the kingdom the original longwoolled races have been superseded by these newer breeds, which ara propagated chiefly for their good grazing and meat-producing capabilities ; but not solely so, for, as ti rule, they y : eld almost as much wool as did the long-woolled flocks wlach they supplanted. At present the really popular breeds are those which serve a double purpose — i.e., wool in moderately large quantity, and are convertible into mutton of prime quality and lean joints. CONDITIONS IN BRADFORD. The situation to-day remains practically unchanged to what it was a week a-go, and as far as one can see, little new will transspire until London has spoken. Everything remains firm in the fullest sense of the word, and any transactions reported show the highest prices being made. There is little wool on offer, and con-bers as a rule are extremely qtuet, because of their inability to find topmakers having- the raw material to comb. Some direct imports are about due, and topmakers generally are anxiously longing to know the combing results. At time of writing it is not expected among those interested that the earliest purchases in Australia will he above London's parity, for early sales abroad were certainly lower than prices recently reported. It has to be a very super top that will fetch 24Jd, and as far as one can see, iv© are not going to have cheaper wool for some onsiderable time> Sentiment seems to be running in favour of merinos insofar as the home trade is concerned, it being the general opinion that the dearness of crossbreds is forcing attention on to finer materials. There is no doubt that fine wools are now relatively cheaper than crossbreds, and it is this fact ■which is inducing men to force merinos on to the attention of intending buyers of fabrics. No relief is expected in crossbreds, everything pointing to a full continuance of to-day's condition?. Higher prices are again certain next week in Cbleman street, and so long as the war continues, it is not expected that any relief will take place. Bradford never made fewer tops than it has done he last three months, and when men have been able to sell the raw material at greater profits than if they had combed, it is certain this process will be maintained. Oue of our largest teramakers has been a

willing seller of 40's for forward delivery at ha'penny le=s than to-day's ruling values, and it remains to be seen if the wool can be bought when supplies become heavier. The export yarn trade is as difficult to do as ever, (Merman users especially buying from hand <o mouth, prices blocking the way. English wools aro very scarce and dear, and prospects are excellent for the next ehp. Mohair has slowed down considerably, though prices are firm at the late advance.