OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 967, 7 November 1910, Page 4

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER.

LOOKING OVER A FLEECE OF WOOL. ffrcm Our Special Correspondent.) Bradford, September 16,-1010. I have just been examining about a dozen splendid fleeces of wool, sent to me for an expert opinion, and it has been a leal pleasure to carefully notice the difference in the characteristics of the entire lot. As each one was thrown, on the sorting table, I could not help observing the principles which Ehould govern every careful examination of a grown fleece. I have no doubt ' growers have their method of examination, and each man will know, or think he knows, the difference between one and another. At the same time ho cannot have the careful and critical eye which a wool buyer possesses, though all the same he should know the varied points which tell"for better, for worse," and which largely determine.the price per lb. of the fleece. Let me further point out a few important essentials which enter largely into the composition of a good fleeco of wool, and which cannot be overlooked by anyone whoso business it is to know good wool from bad. j First of all, wo carefully look for i quality. Some sheepbreedcrs have still to learn that there is quite as much quality in a Lincoln fleece as there is in a merino, but, of course, there is not the same degree of fineness. It really is hard to understand what is meant by quality apart from fineness. ■'■ • Beally speaking, when a man sees that a fleece of wool is very fine, he means that the standard of quality is high. That, no doubt, is quite correct, but there can bo and onght to bo as much breed and high-class essentials about a Lincoln fleece as there is about a first-class merino. Mongrel wool never shows what I may call breed, quality, and character like a fleece that has been well grown, and off a first-class animal. 'However,., a man should look for quality, and closely allied with -this is the question of breed. The more even a -fleece is in regard, to - quality, the more valuablo it is. Two or three of the fleeces that I examined showed quality, at the shoulder, but fell ; off perceptibly "at the britch, while the belly wool was also a little wanting. Still, that is what usually, is seen, and I expect it is a principle - of breeding, At the- same time there should not bo a big 'difference in the quality' of a merino, fleece between the shoulder and britch, and the nearer''the two approximate,- the better. We keep hearing on all hands that Australian pastoralists are straining every nerve to produce quantity, and are less concerned about quality. Already, we: are told that the coming clip will bo more robust than ever, but that remains to bo seen. No doubt both good pastures and fat sheep tend to grow a stronger fleece. of wool, , but with, the experience of the last clip, I am not looking for anything hut a grand style of useful, well-grown wool, well suited to the requirements of the manufacturing world. At the same time see that quality is'good,, and the more level ■ and true it is all over the fleece, and the more satisfactory it will bo- from a wool buyer's standpoint. Then comes length of staple, and 1 admit that cannot be ignored, and never is by a buyer. Short wool is essentially clothing, that is, it is more suitable for'woollen manufacturing purposes. When wo. get a decent length in merino it is a very valuable characteristic. There has been a wonderful development on this head during the past seven years, and South Australian pastoralists have undoubtedly led the way by the growing of very gTand fleeces. The famous stud breeders of the lpwer north haye set a standard which is being imitated in hundreds of cases both in Western Australia and New South Wales. Of course, seasons plav an important part in deciding the length of the staple, but the more satisfactory things are upon this head, and tho better it will be for everybody. The next feature to notice is the strength of the staple, for a weak-grown fleece is certainly objectionable for many reasons. A tender staple always means increased waste, and the buyer will make duo allowance for tho same. It must bo borne in mind that while wool is passing through the various stages of manujfacturo it is subjected to a severe strain, consequently the fibres need to bo sound, otherwise there is breakage and-waste of no mean order. Too much importance cannot bo attached by the wool grower to this important essential. Tender wool •means more "noils" in combing, a tender yarn, and last, but not least, a weak pieco of goods which is oftentimes returned as "cold pig." On this head the word "mushiness" is a term which is full of significance. Wool of this nature is altogether unsiiited for the worsted industry, and as a rule it is taken bv woollen manufacturers and used in conjunction with sound material. Taking all things into consideration, I, say that quality, length, and soundness of staple ore three very important characteristics, and as much as possible wool-growers should try to preserve these important essentials.

Then conies elasticity, or, in other words, the life of the wool fibre. Some merino wools are far nioro clastic and subtle than others, a good deal depending upon',the nature of the soil on which sheep _aro fed, and the climato. A very hot climato never conduces to a great amount of elasticity, and this is one reason, I think,- why so many Queensland clips are somewhat tender and mushy. \V e seldom get this iu the wools of Victoria, Tasmania,, and New Zealand, or wools grown in the lower north and southeastern portions of South Australia. When we come to the northern-grown wools of the latter State, it frequently occurs that the staple is devoid of lifo and vitality, there being no doubt that Hie light sandy soil, combined with tho intense heat, minimises toisorae extent'this valuable characteristic.'. A fleece of wool that is full of elasticity always means a good spinning wool; it is sound, and this always pr-oduces a very satisfactory article. Then comes condition,, or a feature which is almost.., past tho control of the wool-grower. Tin's varies according to the nature of tho ground upon which the sheep has fed. Bad country means a heavy fleece of wool, with its consequent heavy shrinkage. Of course, when men have to buy against a heavy tariff like our American cousins, they naturally want light conditioned wools, but I never think that heavy condition is so serious a drawback as some features. I have known growers producing bales of fairly heavy shrinkage, yet quite as-good returns as tho man whose fleeces weTe bringing 10 per cent more of clean wool, the simple reason being that buyers were valuing on what tho wool would; bring when it left tho scouring bowl.' At the same lime tha cleaner fleeces come to market, aud tho more free from bellies, britch, and heavy locks, the more likely they are

to suit buyers. In looking over a fleeoa take a general view. Exummo the various points which I have enumerated; and if .tins is done caretuliy and systematically, then a grower, will be able to form a fairly correct estimate of the value of tho deeces ho is turning out. CONDITIONS IN BRADFORD. The past week's business has been chaw ■ acterised by a good tone, and all things considered the amount of trade doing, although lighter than duriug -the past lew weeks, has been satisfactory, and sufficient is changing hands to test jjrices; lopmakers say they have hardly sold, as many tops as they have been accustomed, to duriug previous weeks, but then they are in no lram'e of mind foi" selling further large quantities. Many of them would rather buy raw wool than seU : topv.aud it the truth must be told, they will be forced to buy some big' weights at the forthcoming 'series or London sales.. It .is rather a. pity that more merino combing wool wilt not be available, but all the same there should be a clearance of everything thatarrives. I fancy all. importers. recognise, the fact that they hail better sell all out and so get ready for tho advent of a new dip. The question'of price seems to bo the only fly in the pot of ointment, and to start importing wool on a basis of 2s. dd. to 2s. sd. is what nobody likes/ lhe way London is expected Ho go. will not help matters in tne least-.in Aus-. tralia, but 1 fancy in the majority-of cases Bradford buyers will, be cabled a limit of 2s. 3d. for super - 60V and 2s.' 4d. for Gl's, as the time approaches -for ■ the opening, of the sales. Values here are exceedingly firm, but I do not think" they are any dearer -than thev were a/ fortnight ago. It is still possible to buv: a good super CO's top at 2s. 4Jd. and uls at 2s. 5d., although' topmakers are naturally asking a farthing more.-Brad-ford topmakers and export -houses continue to do a fair good trade with.their. Continental clients,, and 'some 'decent weights'of dry-combed tops''have recently been shipped abroad. •..-.■:.■ . The, position of crossbreds. shows very little change compared with a week ago. Several of the ' biggest • buyers are pre-paring-for their , departure to Buenoa Aires : and New Zealand, and in .the course of a fortnight-they,will;b'6i away. All the big, firms '.will again.:-be represented, and although nobody, likes \he course of prices, still .they 'will buy. One of tho largest members of the trade ventured the opinion this week that somebody this' next-season was going to be cither-killed or lamed, meaning, of course, that' prices were; so high "that they could not last, and importers would come-in for somo heavy losses. However; we had the samo prophesy twelve; months - • ago, but it missed .fire. Crossbreds are. certainly not cheap, but' the, business 'that 'is-doing at the consumptive end of the trade ia large, and they are-beeing looked upon with more favour than for some, time back. We seem just as far'off ah era of low prices as ever, and the healthy consumption which, is everywhere .in eviileneo'. is. the..only.; responsible factor foi 40 s tops being-worth, to-day .around .lad/ Crossbred spinners are equally- as-busy as those spinning merinos, and : T could name several whoso speciality' is single 30's spun from' it's 'and' ii's Hops who want.:no-moro orders;.for they'-can run full time until next. March quite-easily.'