THE FAUMER'S MAGAZINE. 



171 



Spanish and Portugal.— The supply of the former 

 has beeu very limited, but some salea of l^eoneaa have been 

 made lately at prices which we think ought to encourage ira- 

 portatioua ; and tliere is also a good prospect for good 

 Segovia, Caceres, and Estremadnra, provided they arrive dur- 

 ing the next three luoutha. Oporlo showa a considerable 

 dimiuutiou from tlie previo\i3 year, wlieu the demand for 

 American led to large importations of unwashed wools. During 

 the last four mouths washea fleece has been in good 

 demand, at prices iu proportion to the advance in English 

 combing wools. Tiie lower qualities have also gone off freely, 

 although at a relatively less advance. 



United Statks. — The imports of domestic fleeces re- 

 ferred to in our last, although disposed of at fair prices, met 

 with but little appreciation either in this country or in France, 

 where tliey were also fairly tried, owing to their imperfect 

 condition ; and a portion was subsequently bought for re- 

 shipment. Early in tlie yesr we received some quantity from 

 thence of fine colonial, low foreign, and East Indian and Scotch 

 wools, a portion of which, and of some previous arrivals, was 

 disposed of at most ruinous losses, but some quautity still re- 

 mains, chiefly East India. There is a little uneasiness on the 

 subject of the " Tariff," which may affect the present free ira- 

 poitation of low wools ; but if the change involves a moderate 

 ad valorem duty on all wools, we think, in the end, it will 

 prove advantageous. 



Buenos Ayres and River Plate. — The beet flocks 

 continue to show evident marks of improvement as regards 

 breed ; which could not he otherwise, considering they are 

 constantly receiving fresh addition of the choicest stock, both 

 from this country as well as from Silesia, and the imperial 

 flocks of " RambouUi," selected re;<ardles3 of expense. It is 

 only justice to notice the care, in many cases, displayed in the 

 classing of the wools ; and we are happy to be able to add that 

 the prevalence of burr was not so general in last season's im- 

 ports. But during the greater part of the year these wools 

 were fap from enjoying the attention which we think the im- 

 proved management justly merited ; and it is only of late that 

 they have been more sought after, and they are now in a fair 

 way of coming again into favour, particularly with our home 

 trade. The prejudice against this class of wool, on account of 

 the burr, must soon subside, particularly as this is so much on 

 the increase in Sydney wools, and even in those from the dis- 

 trict of Victoria. Tlie reason that the same objection does not 

 exist on the continent is, that the burring machines are in ge- 

 neral use there, and perform their work very effectually. We 

 have lately had an opportunity of seeing some of the beat ms- 

 chiues at work on the continent, and found that they were 

 either English invention cr had been improved upon in this 

 country, and so far from presenting novelty, the same machines 

 are obtainable here at less price. The foreigners make com- 

 parativel}' light of the burr ; but, of course, the price of the 

 wool must be regiilated by the loss in weight and the enhanced 

 cost in cleansing it. The inferior qualities of Mestizo, both 

 washed and in the grease, have been very difficult of sale; 

 they are in demand at present, but we have no confidence in 

 recommending the import of this description, as there is 

 scarcely an opportunity during six months oi disposing of them 

 without the unsatisfactory recourse of forced sales. We have 

 received a fair quantity of Cordova, which has been saleable at 

 market value. 



Peruvian and Alpaca. — Sheep's wool has not met with 

 very current sale, except the finer qualities ; through forced 

 sales the market has beeu kept constantly unsettled, and the 

 business has, for the most part, been confiaed to speculative 

 operations. Alpaca: Although there has been a small in- 

 crease on the light import of the previous twelve-month, still 

 it has been much below an average, which we were quite pre- 

 pared to expect. The transactions that have taken place have 

 been mostly at a decline of nearly Is. per lb. upon the 

 prices existing before the panic (and in some cases even much 

 more), but without directing general attention to this article, 

 which we attribute in a great measure to the lightness of stocks 

 during the greater part of the year, and, consequently, the 

 attention of manufacturers has been directed more to English 

 wools and Mohair. There being now a fair supply on hand, 

 pi ! 'he impediments to shipments no longer existing, we look 

 tor a speedy revival of demand, owing to the healthy and 

 buoyant state of the Bradford trade. A reference to the prices 

 of Alpaca, Turkey goat's wool, and English combing wools 



(middle wethers), at the three following periods, show i 

 striking contrast : 



Sept. 1857, before 



the panic 

 May 1858, English 



Clip time 

 Dec. 1858, present! 



value. ... 



Alpaca. 



3s. 2d. to 3s. 4d. 



(33. 2d. paid). 

 Nominal. (In 

 June large sales 



at 23. 3d. 

 i23. 3d. to.28.6d 



Turkey 

 Goats' 

 Wool. 



1. d. s.d 



2 6 to 82 



2 3 to 3 5 



Middle 

 Wethers. 



i. d. 3. d. 

 15 to 1 5^ 



1 li to 1 2 



3 0to3 Ml 65 to 1 7 



and we may further add, that Alpaca has before invariably 

 ruled at a much higher price than Turkey goats' wool. 



East India. — For some ye>irs we have recorded a rapid 

 and continuous increase, which has, however, for the present 

 time met with a check in the past year. Tnis can create no 

 surprije, considering the very untatisfaciory prices that have 

 prevailed during the whole of that period, owing to the de- 

 pression in the blanket and carpet districts, consequent en the 

 suspension of business with the United States. This 

 description had also to contend with the low prices that have 

 been ruling for Englihh short skin wools, and as there are 

 " fellmongering " establishments nearly all over the country, 

 consumers have met with ready sellers close to their own doors 

 as usual at such perior!s. It will be seen that the receipts 

 continue to be directed almost entirely to tiiis port, and as we 

 do not possess the East India trade exclusively, as is the case 

 iu London with the Australian trade, we think this may be 

 taken as a free indication that ours has been found the best 

 market. We do not think the present depression in value of 

 East India wool will be of very long duration, and at 

 our next public sales in January we look for some im- 

 provement. During the last season there was a very 

 large proportion of inferior uncurrent kinds, which sold ruin- 

 ously low, and had also the effect of reducing the value of 

 better qualities, which have, however, uniformly commanded 

 higher proportionate value. If proper atteutiou is paid on 

 the other side in carefully preparing these wools, we are very 

 far from taking a discouraging view of future prospects. They 

 are a description most essentially requisite for our trade, and 

 each year will open up a wider field for couaumption. 



China has met with fair inquiry, but from the limited sup- 

 ply the transactions have not been worthy of notice. 



Russia.— There has been a very considerable falling off in 

 receipts, compared with the previous year. Donskoi wool has 

 not been in much favour, and from the unusually large pro- 

 portion of inferior fleece, and the desire from time to time to 

 press sales, prices have ruled low, and it is only quite lately, 

 since these objectionable qualities have been cleared off, that 

 any marked improvement in value has taken place. A great 

 portion of next season's shipment has already been secured for 

 other countries; and, as the proportion of good combing par- 

 cels is said to be much less even than usual, there is reason to 

 expect that such kinds will bring their full value, prices being 

 still very much lower than last year. Autumn and other low 

 qualities have not met with general inquiry. In fine scoured 

 and brook washed the transactions have been unimportant, 

 but our market at present offers a very encourarging prospect 

 for this description. 



Mediterranean. — These wools have not engaged any 

 attention, and consequently the receipts have dimiuished con- 

 siderably; there has been more inquiry of late, but there is 

 scarcely any kind that could be imported to leave any profit. 



Egyptian continues to take a high rank as the most fa- 

 vourite of all foreign wools of this class, but it is still open to 

 the objection we have so frequently pointed out, of being 

 mixed with inferior kinds, which detracts very much from its 

 merits. Fine bred parcels are of very current sale, and with 

 improving prospects. 



Turkey Goats' Wool or Mohair has engaged parti- 

 cular notice, and so great has beeu the eagerness to secure 

 supplies, that they have been chiefly bought long before 

 arrival, and prices have consequently advanced considerably, 

 having reached a point much higher thun ever known before. 

 Some beautiful designs have been produced this season, which 

 have had a " great run," quite casting Alpaca goods inio the 

 shade for the time. 



