“OCR WOOL, RIVALS IN SOOTH AMERICA.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1290, 16 July 1886, Page 2

“OCR WOOL, RIVALS IN SOOTH AMERICA.”

What proved an interesting and Instructive lecture was delivered in the Technical College Hall, Sydney, a few weeks ago, by the Agricultural Instructor. The subject was “ Our Wool Rivals in South America ” Comparisons (save the Town and Country Journal) were made

between the interest? {attached to the Argentine republic in 1880 and now, when some twenty millions sterling were lost to Australia in five jaars owing to low prices. The pastoral capabilities climate, soli, government, and social condition of the Argentine country were described. They had many advantages, in more regularity of seasons and richness of soil; bat want of skilled labor, a poor class of sheep to start from, uncertain government, and prevalence of scab and other diseases were against them Most of the sheep shearing was done by women, the cost being about 3dol. (12?) per 100 sheep, and, comparing the work, it was dearer than the £1 per 100 d manded by the Australian shearer, who, taking him all in all, did the work better than any other in the world. £nt the South Americana were improving the quality by introducing better sheep. Our wool clip per head out was the heaviest known, and the all-over j quality of the sheep the beat, but good feed was necessary to keep up the quality. The grand stud animals paatoralista could now purchase at the sales for the improvement of their flocks wefo referred to, and the absolute necessity of keeping up the quality of the great staple of the country in the leading position it still held. To do i his, cultivation was becoming more and more necessary, fur (he native grasses are failing more and fcore, hence the benefits likely to follow water conserve? tion and irrigation. Samples of Sonth American wool were shown, and,.aroused much attention.!; ~