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Massachusetts to California, and subsequently compared 

 them with foreign fleeces at the Paris Exposition and else- 

 where, both in Europe and Asia. His own deliberate 

 opinion is that in fineness, delicacy, and beauty, the 

 American fleeces were equal, if not superior, to the choicest 

 Oriental specimens met with. On the subsequent exhibi- 

 tion of these samples at Paris and Roubaix, in France, and 

 in London and Bradford, in England, the manufacturers 

 expressed the most delighted surprise at their beauty and 

 facility of manipulation, pronouncing them fully equal to 

 the best imported Asiatic fleeces. 



It is stated that most of last year's clip was sold on com- 

 mission by a single New York house. Three manufactories 

 have provided machinery for its experimental manufacture. 

 These parties ventured to pay for fleeces, varying from 

 three- fourths to pure breed, from fifty cents to one dollar 

 and fifty cents per pound. The goats shear from two to 

 eight pounds each, according to blood, age, and sire, hence 

 it is far more profitable, even at these experimental prices, 

 to raise goat's fleece than sheep wool. The establishment 

 and extension of this manufacture cannot fail to stimulate 

 its increase and secure its permanancy. For combed and 

 washed fleece, suited to fancy work, much higher prices 

 have already been realized. Skins of yearling wethers, 

 from seven-eighths to fifteen-sixteenths pure breed, have 

 been sold at eighteen dollars apiece. 



Having ascertained our manufacturing deficiencies, Mr. 

 Diehl next visited the Paris Exposition, where he directed 

 his attention to the fabrics of various kinds of goat's fleece. 

 He was astonished and delighted at the extent, rarity, deli- 

 cacy and exquisite beauty of the specimens contributed by 

 the looms of Asia Minor, India, France, England, Ger- 

 many, and other countries represented in this department of 

 the Exposition. These manufactures consisted of shawls, 

 camlets, challis, mohairs, poplins, velvets, delaines, hosiery, 

 yarns, gowns, robes, rugs, fur-trimmings, tapels, etc. Some 



