LONDON WOOL SALES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2747, 15 April 1916, Page 13

LONDON WOOL SALES

CHARACTERISTICS OF TOPS

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

Bradford, February 17. The writer has just laid down a 80cailed 50's top, and ouded a conversation on the characteristics of tops and topmaking with one who professes to bo an actual topmaker. The gentleman lias been to ask advice on a certain matter, produced tho articlo ho has for sale, ana cut of iho conversation-tho question lias arisen as,to w'liat is a standard quality for a combed top. This topmaker asserted that it was a 50's, but we prefer to put it in tho category of 48's, and even at that thoro is nothing really spicy in connection with the article. When closely questioned it appears that the top has been combed out of a blend of Now Zealand wool, consisting of sliped crossbreds, including part soconds, lambs, and a "smattering" of fleece, "it showed a strong hair, was a little loose, being only suitablo for thick counts, and more fitted for hosiery than coating yarns. The article had coino in at a most reasonable figure; the topmaker could sell it at fully 2d. below a market price for a good standai'd article, and even linen, make a very good profit out of the transaction. Tho top only serves to show that when a blond is made and the wool is all scoured together, carded and then combed, a saleable article can be produced, and it is really wonderful when lambs or fleeces are seedy and the same treated ,in a businesslike way can be actually accomplished. Character in Tops. The subject before us for this week's consideration is one directly aifecting all wool-growers itbether engaged in carrying merinos or crossbreds, for the same principles obtain in the one as the other. No fact las been more emphasised during recent months than the universal call for wools showing good length and fairly free of vegetable matter. Such moritto staple is making very big figures, and will continue so to do, all because of the- better results which accrue 'when the wool is combed. It simply means that it is character in a lop which is to a largo extent the determining factor as to what prico is going .to be, and we have seen tops during recent months that showed plenty of quality and full up to tho standard lthich have been worth Id. to 2d. less than a similar quality of top that showed better length and , more style. Theso are facts which we want to' Dring home to overy reador of this issue, being desirous of seeing them produce the very best fleece possible.*' Every (practical woolgrower knows the dilfcrenco there is between his first combing and, say, his second pieces or bellies. The same principle is seen in a combed top, a practical man knowing instantly lie tries to "draw" same whether the top is good or otherwise. It simply amounts to this, that if a man wants a good article he must in the first instance use a well-grown wool, otherwise his top will be very loose, and possibly shivy, and tliero is nothing spoils a top more than to see long strong hairs in it. which is indicative of a blend of inferior wool. Ono likes' to feel on drawing a fern that there is 60me resistance in tho operation, but when tho end' oftlio sliver comee out easily it is an infallible sign of being loose and containing littlo spinning property. Spinning Value of Tops. One has to consider soberly the spinning value of wool as set forth in a top the wool has been combed. A practical man knows at once the purpose best suited by the*" wool he is examining and trying to buy. In other words, t'he spinning value in wool is an important factor in determining the price per lb. and length of fibre is a very important essential in contributing to the spinning property of the'iop. The writer has no intention of giving a' technical description of the operation of spinning, confining his observations purely and simply to, tho raw material, and no one will dispute the fact that growers in iho first instance are the individuals who, in somo degree at least, have the controlling power in deciding whether or not the staple is going to bo sound and well grown. Of course, there is the question of season to consider, but all tho same we want to emphasise to growers the important part which they play in determining whether or not their fleeces shall be suitable to tho requirements of trade, and the Mat that can be produced under conditions as appertaining to theni. The trade nover appreciated character in_ wool as it does to-day, and closely identified with this is the great and indisputable fact that length of staple, soundness and condition are all important contributing elements whicih. go character in wool. We have heard growers grumble at selling brokors becauso they have not obtained as good a price as''their neighbours, tne grower insisting that his wool was quite as good. Possibly in his estimation it was, but buyers often think otherwise. A practical woolman. can see at once the failings in wool, what a clip will do, and often thore is a little difference in two adjoining clips which a man only conversant with the sheep fails, to appreciate. At the same timo ono must always bear in mind that buyers have their whims and fancies liko everybody else, and if a mail can seo mors value m one clip than another, he pays it when apparently there may -be no difference between tho two articles.

The Question of Supplies. The trade at this end Beams to be greatly surprised at the rapid movement of supplies into, consumers' hands, the remarkable sales which have tackn place, this season in Australia and New Zealand as well, as South Africa greatly surprising evoryone. It is very patent that even colonial selling centres can very well do 'without German competition, and it is to 'be hoped that we shall hear less of the indispensable German in establishing satisfactory values in either London, Australasia; or South Africa. ' Everybody hopes that the attitude of the whole trade will change towards Germany, her conduct during the past eighteen months towards innocent women and children being past human comprehension. It is patent that at the end of February the colonial season is going to be practically over, and everything points to all supplies being out of the way by the advent of the next Australian clip. The chief concern at this end is not so much the ability of the trade to lift and pay for the Australasian and South. African clips as the ability of bands to deal -with -what arrives. The workers' ranks are "being fast depleted, and the whole trade is up against a verj serious problem with so many young men joining the colours. Tlio impression prevails that before long the

War Offico will bo compelled to face'the question respecting the wisdom of bringing back from the trenches those skilled in the combing operation. When wo come to spinning and weaving a larger proportion of femnlo labour is employed than in combing, and there are big firms in Bradford to-day wliose output lias been reduced fully 25 per cent, solely becauso of a lack of men to look after machines. -At a time like the present when there is an avalanche of work available, tlicro should bo 110 shortage of labour, but we all know how valuable moil are in tlie fighting line, and what aro going to be the Empire's requirements before Germany and her confederates aro beaten. Market Steady. The market is in a very interesting condition, and thoro is no Jack of business in crossbreds, the difficulty with many topmakers being to got their blends combed. A good deal of uneasiness is also apparent in reference to tlio arrival of supplies. There is great need of greasy crossbred lleeco wool from either Australia, New Zealand, or South America, and the market is comparatively bare. Some topmakers have sold fairly largely 011 forward account, and have therefore nothing to offer until tho arrival of fresh I supplies, and where topmakers have spot lots available they aro naming stiff figures. Crossbreds to-day are firm to hardening. Some licenses have boon granted even for tlie export of coarse prepared tops, and-this is making holders very firm. There is also a considerable business passing in fine crossbreds, chiefly duo to substitution, for merinos, and no doubt a good coating yarn trade is passing in fine crossbreds. There i 6 apparently its big a weight of 50's tops on the market as of any quality, the Government being a little undecided about granting licenses for tho .export pf theso. It oannot be said that licenses for export are being granted freely, but apparently due consideration is being given. to certain qualities, and fine noils are among the classes mostly being shipped. In merino 3 there is perhaps hardly that evidence of weakness that was seen last Thursday, although there are numerous sellers of 64' a at Bs. Bid. and Ss. 9id.. according to the length of tho top and position, of tho mnlcer. The output of. machines gets worse, and the steady depletion of the workers' Tanks is making tho outlook anything but pleasant. Somo licenses have been granted for the export of fine tops to France, but all firms arc not sharing alike.