OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 11

OUR YORKSHIRE LETTER

THE ENGLISH NEW CLIP. (From Our Special Correspondents.) Bradford, June G. Tho fleeces of the 28 millions of sk-ep which are to be found in Great Britain exercise some influence upon the course of colonial wool values, and because of this wi» may consider for oneo the present standing of the new clip of this country. The fact is not appreciated, as it might be, that taking into account their size, these small islands carry more sheop than any other country in tne world. Still, although there are .more shtep to tho aero than anywhere else, there is very little evidence of pastures being sheep-sick or ov/.Tcrowded, As we have travelled through England, Scotland, and Wales, we have often been struck with the fact that if the soil were better cultivated in I many parts there wouild be room tor a great many more shesp than there actually are. Present conditions are a bar to any further increase, and this farmers know quite well. At the same time, there aro more sheep in this country than in New Zealand, or for that matter Queensland, which is several times larger than the whole of tho British Isles put together. This is a tribute to the industry and systematic breeding practised by the average sheep farmer in Great Britain, and the English clip of wool runs into many millions sterling per year. Tho clip of Now Zealand reaches 450,000 bales per annum. It is certain that if the Home clip was put into colonial bales it would run out to well over 500,000 bales, hence such a big weight of wool cannot but influence the course of colonial merinos and crossbreds, and no doubt to-day tho latter-are feeling the influence of the approaching English new clip. Tho average reader has little conception of the part played by sheep and wool in thfe trade of Groat Britain. For very many years the number of sheep has not varied a great deal. No doubt it is the splendid market for mutton, which practically lies at his own door which is an important factor in determining the clnS3 of stock which the British farmer keeps. We believe that if the mutton and wool remain moderately high more sheep will be kept, although the great drought of 1911 was responsible for last yeaT's deficiency. For all that the number of sheep depastured in these islands has ranged between 29 million and 31 million tor very many pears past. At tho Inst census Ireland was depasturing 3,907,436 sheep; Scotland, 7,164,342 sheep; Wales, 3,591,121; the remainder being spread over the different countries in England, the Isle of Man, and tho Channel Islands. It is rather, noteworthy that Irish farmers as a rulo begin to shear first, and be' it said to their credit that they wash their sheep probably more thoroughly than any other farmers in Great Britain, taking great pride in preparing their wools for market. There is still plenty of room for improvement among tho sheep farmers in other counties, and we Tegret to say that the generality of British sheep-farmers do not get up their wool for market in tho same business-like way an the colonial squatter. Of course, the flocks of Great Britain aro mostly small in number, hence colonial methods could not he adopted to any groat extent. For all that, there is ample room for an all round improvement in the way of handling domestic fleeoes, and more up-to-dato methods could be adopted to considerable advantage. A Good Record. The past year's trade has been one of the best ever known, tho whole clip having brought good both to growers and merchants alike.' A year ago the new clip was snatched up with rare avidity, and although prices then looked high, they are now 2d. to 2Jd. per lb. higher. No doubt the' booming state of the homo trade, together with fairly good demand on export, account has been responsible for the home-grown clip moving into users' hands 111 a most commendable way, and the year finished with all old stock completely absorbed, the new clip beginning to enter the market with the home trade ready to operate and prepared to pay very good figures indeed. There is always real pleasure in chronicling good tidings, and everything associated with the home-grown clip has been excellent. Those who had the courage to buy early fared the best, but very different conditions are facing those who are just going forth to lift new clip wools. There is a considerable difference between being able to buy (sny) Lincoln fleeces at 10Jd., and the same being worth to-day 12Jd.. while Downs have moved up anywhere from 2Jd. to 3d. per lb. It is also significant that as the new clip enters the market the old is completely out of the way, and it looks as if everything is resting on a very good foundation. The Outlook, To home wool-growers, just tho same as to their colouial cousins, the most interest surrounds the sole of their new clip wools, and everybody 9eems to be on the qui vive as they face the opening of the now season. Tho first sales have gone remarkably well, and there seems to be quite as many buyers as sellers. Everybody appears keen to operate, und to begin handling the raw material. There seems to be far more enthusiasm in tho country than in Bradford, but we have often seen this the case. Country dealers have had a good season, and when they aro out of stock, they usually buy as if there was never going to be any wool again, and as often as not get thiur fingers burnt in doing so. However, the outlook appears to I>q favourable, providing tlie price question is not overdone. When we inform- readers that Lincoln, hogs and wethers are worth 12.] d., Shropshire Downs 143(1., Southdowns 15d., half-bTeds 12Jd. to 12Jd.', Scotch Blackface BJd., and Irish super hogs and wethers 13Jd. to 13{d. in Bradford to-day, it shows that Homegrown wools are standing at fairlj stiff figures. Everybody is scanning the horizon in tho hope of being able to discover a lead, and to find out what the future has in store. To-day's prices may bo perfectly safe; let us hope they are. All country dealers seem to have their eyes fixed'upon America, and are satisfied that what they buy to-day will be wanted for across the Atlantic. It may and it may not; no one can tell. No doubt when tho new duties become law, and wool is probably placed on thb free list, it may mean the beginning of a good trans-Atlantic trade, but we think country dealers will be wise if they entertain more sober views regarding the requirements of United States users. The requirements of our American cousins will bo largely determined by the ultimate duties on partly and fully-manufactured textiles. If American mills aro given adequate protection against big imports of Yorkshiremade goods, we believe that its takings of domestic fleeces will be large and important, but in tho meantime it is well for country dealers to keep their eyes fixed upon tliß Home trade, for that after all will be the best supi>orter of domestic wools. All alike recognise that there is considerable danger and difficulty attached to purchasing a big Home clip at current values. As a rule, high wool prices have done little good in days gone by, and today tho Home trade will ultimately prove the "stand-by" of domestic wools. We are looking forward to a good market, with better prioes than last year, but it is to be hoped that no one will lose their head, for textile conditions across the Atlantic are anything but satisfactory.