THE PASTORAL OUTLOOK.

Southern Cross, Volume 10, Issue 31, 8 November 1902, Page 3

THE PASTORAL OUTLOOK.

The total loss of sheep in Australia since 1891 is 46,493,751 head, apart from considering the normal natural increase. The herds have also been materially affected. The great loss of sheep naturally means a considerable red notion in the wool clip. The decline for this season will not be so great as many suppose, for the reason that the majority of the carcases of the sheep is picked over, and the wool is marketed, being described as 1 dead.’ The fairest estimate of the reduction in the clip for the current season is 200,000 bales, and it is worth while noting that this will be almost entirely fine wool. The continuous reduction in the production of fine descriptions of wool, such as merinoes and fine comeback, is having a considerable effect on prices, which are steadily advancing, and, in our opinion, must still further rise. On the other hand, coarse wools, which are largely produced in Victoria, form the best part of the production of Kew Zealand, and almost the entire clip from Argentine’s 74,0000,000 sheep is rapidly increasing in supply, and though fine descriptions will rise, we cannot see any reason for an advance in coarse wools, unless fashion takes a run on coarse cloths; 200,000 bales of wool less in Australia means close on £3,000,000 to growers, and large sums in commission to town agents, freight to railways, and freight to oversea ves-

sels. Besides this, we must face the fact that for many years to come our wool clip will be much curtailed, even if good weather commences at once. —Review of Reviews.