THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



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holders, in order to effect sales, liad to submit to a reduction 

 of from 2| to 5 per cent., which state of tbiugs continued up 

 to the end of October, when, with au increased steadiness of 

 consumption, prices recovered their former range, and the year 

 closes very firmly at the same. 



The imports of foreign and colonial wools, in the aggregate, 

 amount to more than in the preceding year, and are about 

 equal to those of 1857. 



Australian. — The import for the year shows a small in- 

 crease on the previous one, and the condition has on the whole 

 been fair ; New Zsalaud showitij^ the greatest improvement, 

 and the enhanced prices obtained in consequence will be an 

 incentive to the grower for further exertions. The first aeries 

 of public sales in London began on the 24th February, and 

 terminated on the 17th March, and consisted of 35,201 bales, 

 of which 16,107 bales were Cape, about the same quantity as 

 the corresponding sale of the former year ; it was generally 

 expected that these would go off at an advance on last sale- 

 rates, but ths unsettled aspect of political matters on the Con- 

 tinent at this period induced foreign aa well as domestic buy- 

 ers to act with great caution, and the rates of the previous sales 

 were not quite maintained, except for the very best descriptions. 

 The second series lasted from the 5th May to the 3rd June, 

 consisting of 62,293 bales, of which 6,153 bales were Capes. 

 Political affairs being still very unsettled, the general result 

 was a fall of from 2d, to 3d. on Colonial and Id. per lb. on 

 Capes. The third aeries, commencing on the 21st July and 

 closing on the 30lh August, comprised 89,202 bales, of which 

 14,144 bales were Capes; the unexpected proclamation of 

 peace, together with the prospects of au abundant harvest and 

 the cheapness of money, all contributed to inspire confidence, 

 and the late reduction of 2d. to 3d. per lb. on Colonial and 

 Id. per lb. oa Capes was fully recovered, and the total quan- 

 tity sold with spirit. The fourth and last series commenced 

 on the 10th November, and terminating on the 7th December, 

 consisted of 47,234 bales, of which 20,098 bales were Capes ; 

 there was less competition by foreigners than usual, but former 

 rates were fully maintained, and in the case of Port Philip 

 fleece an advance of Id. per lb. was established. 



Cape op Good Hope. — The decrease in the import will 

 be found considerable. There is a vsry great improvement in 

 the getting up of some of the flocks, which have sold at very 

 high prices, thus proving, as regards some districts at any 

 rate, that it only requires care and attention to produce a 

 better class than the hitherto general imports from that quar- 

 ter, and it is to be hoped the satisfactory prices realised for 

 these well-conditioned parcels will induce other growers to 

 follow the good example. There have been reports of late of 

 very great losses in the flocks from drought, but we hope they 

 may be found to be exaggerated, for besides entailing a heavy 

 loss to the settler, it would check the supply, which is not 

 more than sufficient to satisfy the general wants. 



German. — The import has been much larger than in for- 

 mer years. In the early part of the year, owing to the high 

 prices of colonial wool and the very unsettled state of political 

 affairs on the Continent, many holders there were anxious 

 sellers, and some considerable parcels were bought for this 

 country at very low rates. 



Spain and Portugal. — The supply of the former has been 

 very United, and every succeeding year seems to indicate that 

 it will cease altogether. -Oporto shows a large increase. The 

 demand for washed is partly governed by the prices of English 

 combing wool, and as these have been steady for some time, 

 there has been a fair demand for this description during the 

 last six months. 



United States. — There have been no imports of the 

 growth of this country during the past year ; and now that 

 trade has, since the panic, regained its natural channels, their 

 manufacturers require, in addition to their home growth, a 

 large supply of fine woois from all countries where they can 

 procure it at under 20 cents per lb,, this being the duty-free 

 price. 



Buenos Atres. — The imports show a falling off. The 

 demand throughout the year has been fair ; and the best- 

 managed flocks usually imported here have met with ready 

 sale, and to a certain extent our demand fluctuates with that 

 for colonial wools. The middling and inferior classes of both 

 washed and unwashed Mestizo have been less inquired for, 

 and consequently heavy of sale : still, we close the year with a 



very light stock. Cordova has been in fair request through- 

 out the year ; and the market is now quite bare. 



Peruvian and Alpaca. — The arrivals of sheep's wool 

 show a very large iucrease. In the begiuaing of the year the 

 demand was vary trifling, except for the better qualities, but 

 afterwards greater activity was experienced, and the market has 

 not only been cleared of all old stocks, but late arrivcls have 

 been eagerly competed for at full rates. The import of Al- 

 paca has also increased. The year opened with a considerable 

 stock and a sluggish demaud, which continued up to June, 

 when a better inquiry manifested itself, and before the end of 

 August the market was cleared of all that holders were dis- 

 posed to sell at a market price, as well as of considerable quan- 

 tities to arrive. The stock now left is only about 2,000 to 

 3,000 ballots, which are held for higher rates. 



East India. — The imports this year show a slight 

 decrease, as compared with the two former years, which does 

 not arise entirely from a diminished supply, but from the cir- 

 cumstance that, instead of England receiving, as hitherto, 

 nearly the whole export from Bombay, a portion is now sent 

 direct to the United States, France, and Germany. The de- 

 mand throughout the year has been very steady, and prices 

 have ruled more uniformly than during the previous year; but 

 we regret to find that less care is taken in the packing of these 

 wools than formerly, some marks showing a considerable por- 

 tion of country damaged wool, and appearing also to have been 

 press-packed while damp. To this we would especially call 

 the attention of shippers, as it will prejudice the sale generally 

 very much. While noticing these defects, which require 

 guarding against, it is on the other hand gratifying to acknow- 

 ledge that there have been several small shipments, with fair 

 length of staple, that were well got up ; these attracted great 

 atteution, were eagerly competed for, and realized such prices 

 as we hope may stimulate shippers to extended improvements. 



China has met with fair inquiry, the imports continue light. 



Russia. — The imports have slightly increased. The de- 

 mand for Donskoi fleece has only been moderat;?, and the 

 prices of good qualities have not varied much, but middle 

 and inferior parcels have fluctuated both in demand and value 

 to a greater extent ; the stocks at present, however, are but 

 light. Lambs and Autumns have been in good request, and 

 the market is quite bare. 



Mediterranean. — A slight increase in the arrivals is 

 to be noticed, but the demand has not been good, and they 

 can hardly have paid the importers. 



Egyptian has been much sought after during the year, at 

 relatively high prices, and we are glad to perceive a very great 

 improvement in the getting-up of these wools, in consequence 

 of which the better classes have commanded very full rates. 



Turkey Goats' or Mohair. — During the first few 

 months of the year we had a rather limited and unsteady de- 

 mand, with but light stocks ; however, by June, when small 

 parcels begin to arrive, they were picked up at from 28. 3d. to- 

 28. 6d., and in a very short time prices were run up to Ss., 

 and have since then kept steady at about this figure. 



Iceland shows a little falling off in the arrivals. The de- 

 mand has been regular and steady, and prices have not varied 

 much. Stocks are now reduced to a very narrow compass. 



Barbary calls for no remarks, there having been no re- 

 ceipts, as the Emperor of Morocco has continued to prohibit 

 up till lately the export of the article, but we now look forward 

 for fresh arrivals. 



Domestic Wools have been chiefly treated on in our 

 general remarks, which will equally apply to Irish also, which 

 are nearly all cleared out of farmers' hands, and prices rule 

 now higher than for a great many years past. Scotch : 

 Laid Cheviot of a light, clean, and good class met with ready 

 sale at clip time, at very high rates, and farmers sold freely ; 

 since then the demand has been sluggish, and, although the 

 consumption has been large, prices have not been well sup- 

 ported. Laid Highland has been in limited request, and 

 there was leas sold at clip time than usual ; since then farmers 

 have been more desirous of meeting the market, and prices 

 have given way from 5 to 10 per cent. There has been so 

 little doing in this market lately, that our quotations must be 

 considered nominal. 



Sheepskins have been much sought after throughout the 

 year, and the better qualities of heavily woolled have com- 

 manded high rates, though lower classes of Mestizo are less 

 eagerly competed for. — Hughes and Ronald. 



