1846.] Wool 123 



article of exportation from the United States. Allow iis, then, to 

 inquire, whether you will not do us the favor to write out your 

 impressions for the Journal of Commerce. 



We are, sir, your ob't servants. 



Hale & Hallock. 

 Hamilton Gay, Esq., 53 South street. 



New York, May 16th, 1846. 

 Messrs. Hale & Hallock: 



Dear Sirs — I have your favor of this day's date. Such infor- 

 mation as I can give on the subject of your inquiry, is at your 

 service, for the benefit of those interested. 



More than one-half of all the American fleece wool exported 

 from the United States, of the last year's clip, was owned and 

 shipped by myself and by others having a joint interest with me. 

 The purchases were all made at the lowest point of the season, 

 beginning on the 1st day of September, and closing on the 25th 

 day of October last. The result has been a net loss of f 5,993, 

 and 188 bales of wool yet unsold; equal only to the fraction of a 

 penny sterling on each pound. Not a fleece of the wool was sold 

 to meet the payment of drafts drawn against it, nor was any por- 

 tion of it unduly pressed upon the market — and this loss arose 

 from causes unnecessary, easily avoided, and entirely within the 

 control of parties in this country. 



The prices of United States fleece wool are affected very inju- 

 riously in foreign markets by its unclean condition. It contains 

 too much oil, and yolk, and dirt. - The sheep are generally w^ash- 

 ed with too little care, and run too long after washing before 

 shearing. A large portion of the wool, from this cause, must 

 pass through the hands of those who sort it and scour it in soap 

 and water, before, it is sold to the manufacturers. 



The wool itself is of superior staple, and while upon the sheep 

 is inferior to no other in the world, of equal grade ; and it may 

 be safely stated, that every pound of oil, or other worthless sub- 

 stance, will, in the English markets, deduct from the value of the 

 wool cantaining it, the price at least of two pounds of wool. Eng- 

 lish manufacturers and samplers, before purchasing, open a por- 

 tion of the fleeces, and examine carefully, not only the fineness, 

 but also the strength of the staple, and its condition throughout. 



The first important operation in preparing our fleece w^ool for 

 export, is to properly cleanse it before shearing. The sheep 

 should be washed in clear running water — the water must run 

 freely through every part of the fleece, and the wool and every 

 part of it should be pressed and worked with the hand while under 

 water, until the dirt and oil are removed, and the water runs off 



