The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1869.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IV, Issue 3, 5 January 1869, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1869.

We so.c, by the Australian papers, that the subject of sheep-washing is engagiug the serious attention of the squatters in those colonies. The fact that welt washed wools always command a high figure, whilst those which have been badly prepared were scarcely saleable, has been repeatedly forced upo"n their uotue, and never more strongly than siuce the late alarming reduction that hal to be submitted to at the home sales. If this reduction prove the means of stimulating flockmasters to greater care iv the preparation of our great staple, it will have eouferred an immense boon on the colonies at a mere nominal cost. Tear after year millions of pounds sterling have been lost to the colonies through defective and oftentimes careless washing. We trust that the days of the old appliances are numbered. It stands to reason that a swim across a creek, river, ur pool cannot effectually cleanse a greasy article like wool. Hence soap, soda, and warm water have come into vogue, and notwithstanding the great expense entailed in erecting the requisite machinery and appliances, it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that the outlay is a most profitable investment. At Messrs Goidsborough'a last sale iv Melbourne, we notice that one lot of 280 bales realised 22|d per lb, whilst greasy and unwashed wools at the same sale were sold as low as 4£d. We are glad to learn that some of our own flockmasters aie bestirring themselves, and that in the province of Nelson, some enterprising gentlemen have this year tried the new plan with great success, and though their outlay has been considerable, the cost has not exceeded l^d per head, and instead of obtaining only 14d or 16d as formerly, they have every reason to' expect 2s per lb for this seasou's clip. We commend the subject to the serious consideration of our sheep-farmers, in the following shape: — If the rise of Id per lb on one season's clip, represents a bonus of £130,000 to the colony, what must an advance of 6d or 8d alb represent? Verbumsap. . ;