OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 17

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

(Fbom Oub Special Correspondent.) BRADFORD, September 1. TASMANIAN WOOLS. At present there hardly seems to be a single topic that is engaging the attention of the wool trade at this end, for with the continued absence of business, the vetoing of the recent new tariff by President Taft across the Atlantic, and no burning subject before the trade, the situation is just about as dead and uninviting as we have seen for many a long dav. However, there -is always something of an outside nature that can be discussed by members of the trade with pi-ofit, and the present standing of Tasmanian wools in their relation to the produce of other Australian States is worth more than passing attention. This subject takes its rite from the position Tasmanian sheep occupied at the fast Sydney show, full particulars of which have recently come to -England. There is no doubt that Tasmanian sheep and wool have a "front rank" position, in the world, and it is a pity that the "tight little island" it not a thousand times larger than it is. That cannot tie helped, for it is beyond the power of man to create land; hence the next best thing is to turn to good account what there is. . Tasmania no doubt has a brilliant past when speaking from a pastoral standpoint, and its sheepbreeders will be wisely advised to maintain the noble heritage which has been handed down to them. That State no T doubt has been rightly termed the gardlen of Australia, and its merino flocks comprise some of the finest sheep found on the face of the globe. No doubt West Victorian wools arc quite as good in character, and• oftentimes the Skipton clips are quite as *flowery; but it is the effect Tasmanian blood has had upon the flocks of Australia which I think gives them a premier' place over the flocks of West Victoria, i There is no doubt a handle and quality about some of the Tasmanian clips which cannot be surpassed, and" we certainly think a mistake has been made by many in their departing from the breeding of the merino. Of course, the goal before every sheepman .is to get out of his stock and land the maximum monetary returns, and if crossbred sheep are producing a larger percentage of profits, then circumstances probably justify them in farming the crossbred. At the same time the world is supplying the trade with plenty of crossbred . wool, and mutton sheep are also in adequate supply, and it seems a thousand pities that with Tasmanian wool selling anywhere from 13d to 17d per lb in the grease, many breeders have relinquished the merino, and are to-day farming exclusively with crossbreds.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TASMANIAN MERINOS.

There is no question of a doubt that Tasrnanian merino -wool ranks among the best-grown in- the entire world. We have a quality second to none, a handle as soft as velvet, and usually a staple of Rood length and soundness. At the same time there are some bresders who we are certain have, let down the quality of their flocks. Some two years ago we made some strong remarks on this head, and they need repeating to-day. At the last series of London "sales up to 17d was made for gmasy Tasrnanian merino wool, several noted clips making from 14d to 16d. Other clips did not fare so well, simply because of the presence of strong whiskery wool in the super combing, a positive proof of the falling off in breed and quality. Without being too personal, we could mention more than one case where the tendency to lower.quality is very much in evidence, and we are certain the clip is suffering both in name as well as financial returns. This is all for the want of more careful classing and the weeding out of stud sheep that are running off in quality. Jt makes a big difference to a clip of wool when uniformity is a leading characteristic, but when it is mixed, and there is 10 per cent, difference in the spinning value of the wool, it all tells its tale in the yarns and pieces. We oftentimes wish Australian wool-growers could see the difference between a yarn made from well-bred wool and one made from wool wanting in this essential. There is not only more waste in badly-bred wools, but they never turn out fabrics so. soft and well put together, and to see strong, blobby fibres on the surface of a fine fabric is a feature which at once leads to trouble on the part of the manufacturer. When these strong, wirey staples are seen, it "means extra sorting and more expense, while oftentimes the wool has to be put to an inferior' purpose. We do impress upon Australian growers the importance of maintaining quality in their flocks. We venture to say that the stud-breeders which for years have figured so prominently at the Sydney sales, and whose blcod has percolated as it were through the flocks of the entire world, would never have won the position they have if they had not shown great care in Weeding out faulty sheep and maintaining a uniformity of fleece which is desirable in all stud sheep. Tasrnanian wool will always be a prime article in the eyes of wool-buyers, and we sincerely hope that evetry endeavour will be made to breed that which the trade demands, and for

* which good paying l prices will always bo forthcoming. TASMANIAN BLOOD IN SOUTH AFRICA. We are pleased; to say that Tasmanian sheep are being bought in fairly good numbers by South African pastoralists, and a prize fleece that has been sent us from one well-known Midland breeder possesses characteristics which, to say the least, are very creditable. We are certain that the forward policy at present in vogue among 1 South African sheepbreeders finds a hearty reciprocation at the hands of the wool trade, and nothing better could bo done than for pastoralists in that part of Great Britain s domains to continue their present line of operations in this respect. Wo have maintained for years that there is room in South Africa for stud .sheep from both South Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales, and we fully expect in 10 years' time to see a further advance made in the Cape clips which come on to the London market. South African wool does not want so much improving in quaLty as stamina. Spinners in Bradford know that the. South African fibre is very small; the wool comes an excellent colour and spins exceedingly well; but there is such a thing as "leanness" in a fine-bred wool, and that is where the South African staple has suffered in years gone by, all due to the want of an infusion of new blood. We are certain that stud sheep from the Australian States already mentioned will remedy the lack of life, vitality, and stamina in many of the South African clips, and we fully expect that we shall ultimately £ee an all-round. 25 per cent, improvement in the bulk of the wool coming from that pant of the world. 1 CRQSSBREDS FROM TASMANIA. The suroply of crossbred wcol from the little island has no doubt increased in quantity during the past 10 years, and these always sell remarkably well, particularly comebacks. Climate and pasturage seem to produce a beautiful soft handling crossbred, and nothing gives better results than the oomebacks from Tasmania. As" a rule the erossbreds are somewhat heavy in condition, due no doubt to the generally large rainfall and beautiful climate, it being their spinning property which singles them out as a superior article to even New Zealand or South American erossbreds. Oftentimes these wools are very badly classed and skirted, but in valuing them buyers make a due allowance for this deficiency. All the same, it is the well-grown nature of the wools, and particularly their silky handle and good spinning properties, which make them so popular with all buyers. Tasmania seems specially suited to produce a good wool in every quality, and it is to be hoped-that pastoralists will continue to pay attention to the principles of breeding, and so supply the world with excellent raw material. VALUES STEADY IN BRADFORD. Business continues on the quiet side, and this notwithstanding that all combing and spinning machinery is being kept fully run. That still remains the most encouraging feature of the West Riding trade. If we go outside Bradford we find machinery is standing in more places than one, but in the aggregate mills are fairly busy, and that is cause for satisfaction. In Worstedopolis quietness is still the prevailing feature of the trade, although a little more nibbling has been recently done. What transactions take place seem to be mostly confined to the purchasing of small quantities of raw material, no one seemingly being disposed to buy in fresh supplies on a large scale. The fact is, little fear ia expressed over the future of values, and there seems to be a desire on no part of the trade 'to force prices in an upward direction. Merinos continue very steady, but 2s 3id is about the outside price that spinners will pay for 64's tops. It is commonly reported that in more quarters than one it is possible to buy at less money, but somehow topmakers are not keen sellers, it being their firm belief that fine wool is going to be no cheaper until larger supplies of new clip' are available. A fair weight of wool is still being shifted by commission woolcombers, and stocks in their hands are in no sense heavy, particularly of fine tops. There is a general belief that Botany qualities are going to remain to the front for another season, but without doubt the future of price is going to largely depend upon the present measure of consumption being maintained. Crossbreds are in a very unresponsive position, and here quietness is much in evidence. Topmakers say they can sell some fair weights of 36's at 13Ad to 13id, but 40's to 46's are almost a dead letter, and if the truth is told users can get in at id less than three weeks age There certainly is a great, need of a fresh buy at the crossbred end of the trade, and spinners say they are under no necessity to enter the market, for they have plenty of tops yet to come in that were bought as far back as last March.