Notes. 9 



An Oversea Comment on South African Wool. 



Through the medium of its Journal and its officers, the Depart- 

 ment has constantly impressed on wool growers the need of adopting 

 certain methods that alone can ensvire success, and it is clear that 

 the South African pastoralist is alive to the requirements of the 

 trade, and is striving to meet them in every possible way. It is of 

 value therefore to know the opinion of an expert oversea, who, hav- 

 ing spent a life-time in the wool trade, has a practical knowledge of 

 the growth of the country's wool industry, and can view impartially 

 our present position. Writing at the end of April last, he makes 

 the following statement : — 



As one who is in a position to make impartial observations, the 

 writer may perhaps be allowed to express his appreciation of the 

 steps which are being taken by the slieep breeders' societies through- 

 out the Union to further the interests of slieep breeding and wool 

 growing in their part of the world. The Graalf-Iieinet Wool 

 Growers' Association is acting with commendable foresight in con- 

 sidering the most up-to-date methods of sheep breeding, and the 

 preparation of clips for market on Australian lines. There is no 

 doubt that the progress made in wool growing in Australia and New 

 Zealand is largely due to the care which in a general way is exercised 

 in preparing clips for sale, and if vSouth African wool growers wish 

 to take the place which is rightfully theirs in the same sphere, they 

 will have to follow out the same principles. If possible let them 

 try to go one better. The writer saw samples of the Graalf-Reinet 

 wool sold at Port Elizabeth at the end of last January, and a glance 

 at the catalogue showed that sheep farmers in that district were 

 working on right lines. It is gratifying to know that so many are 

 alive to the needs of spinners and manufacturers, and are endeavour- 

 ing to provide what the market needs. It is disappointing that while 

 Europe is clamouring for good long combing wool, twelve months 

 Capes are not available. Cape farmers will not be shearing their 

 twelve months' clip till about next September. In the meantime the 

 market is bare of good combing wool. The writer is fully aware of 

 the circumstances which for many years have compelled shearing 

 sheep twice a year in South Africa, but the country is developing 

 and progressing, and eventually even all the small farmers should 

 be able to afford to let the fleeces remain on their sheep until tliey 

 have attained a twelve-months' g-rowth. Anyhow, the achievement 

 of the Graaff-Reinet growers should be an inspiration to others. 

 The clips grown in that district have been the object of widespread 

 comment, largely because of their length of staple, which was three 

 to four inches. The clips have also been excellently prepared for 

 market, and there is no doubt that the wool growers' associations in 

 the Union have an excellent educative opportunity before them. The 

 majority of South African clips could do very well with an infusion 

 of Australian blood to help to produce a somewhat better-grown 

 staple. The only word of w^arning which needs to be uttered in this 

 connection is about quality. This should not be sacrified entirely to 

 length of staple. It is to be hoped that the tendency seen in 

 Australia will not develop in South Africa. The quality of much of 

 the wool grown in Australia is not as fine as it was twenty-five or 

 thirty years ago. Coarse-haired rams have been used too much. 

 Sheep men in the Graaff-Reinet District, who are using Australian 



