272 



TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



1840. . 

 1850. . 

 1860 . . 

 1870 . . 

 1880 . . 

 1890 . . 

 1900 . . 

 1910.. 

 1918.. 



. 35,802,114 

 . 52,516,959 

 . 60,264,913 

 .162,000,000 

 .232,500,000 

 .276,000,000 

 .288,636,621 

 .336,896,903 

 .257,921,000 



pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 

 pounds 



According to the estimates of the National Association of 

 Wool Manufacturers, the leading states in number of sheep, 

 average weight of fleece, and pounds of wool produced during 

 1918 were as follows: 



This table brings out some important distinctions in wools. 

 The figures for shrink are interesting; the western states exceed 

 the eastern states by 13 to 17 per cent., due to the greater per- 

 centage of Merino blood in range flocks and hence a more greasy 

 wool with a greater shrink. Western wools also contain more 

 sand and dirt. The introduction of mutton sheep into the corn- 

 belt has decreased the average weight of fleece, but has im- 

 proved the shrinkage. The entire clip of the United States is 

 estimated to shrink 60.8 per cent. Wool buyers fix the price 

 on a scoured basis, this being the fairest method of dealing and 

 also the fairest basis on which to compare production by states. 

 Wyoming has the most sheep, and Rhode Island the fewest. 

 Washington has the highest average weight of fleece, which is 

 8.6 pounds, and Georgia is lowest with 2.9 pounds. Virginia 

 has the lowest per cent, of shrinkage, which is 38 per cent., and 

 Nevada with 70 per cent, has the most. 



Imports and exports of wool. During the fiscal year, 1913- 

 '14, the United States imported 195,293,255 pounds of wool 



