THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 176, 24 June 1873, Page 2

THE PRODUCTION OF WOOL.

The Sacramento (California) Union has the following — " Tlio immense destruction of wool and woollen good 3 by the Boston fire will, of course, operate advantageously, with temporary effect, on the wool interest of this State. This interest, which has for several years been regarded as the most certainly remunerative of any branch of agriculture on the coast, seems destined to rapidly expand, and to liberally reward all who give it their attention. There were in 1871 about 320,000,000 sheep in the United States, yielding an average of four pounds of wool each, or 128,000,000 in the aggregate. In addition to this product, the annual importation of wool amounts to abiut 65,000,000 pounds, at the co3t of nearly §10,000,000. In addition to this importation, we import woollen goods to the amount of $41,000,000 per annum. There is room, therefore, for an, increase of 17,000,000 more sheep in the country to supply the home demand for -wool, and for about 12,0J0,000 to displ.ice the importation of woollen goods. Land rum and Rogers, in their late pamphlet on the subject, shows by incontestable figures the extremely flattering prospects of wool raisers, not only in this State, but all over the world. While the demand f jr wool is constantly and steadily increasing, the facilities for production are gradually decreasing. As new territory is occupied by permanent settlers the natural pastures arc, of course, contracted and diminished. There is, however, a large area of territory in this State. Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Mexico, which is well adapted to sheep-raising, and presents a tempting field to those who incline to embark in this branch of business. Our herdsmen are giving a great deal of attention to the raising of Angora goats. Landrum says . — ' There is no grease or gum in goat's fleece, consequently, when a goat shears three pounds it shears as much material a3 the Merino shcej) that shears elc iii • and the goods made of mohair sell for double the price in tho market.' The price of Angora wool would command §2 per pound in tho market, instead of Si, were it not that there nre but eleven mohair factories in the world, and they combine to keep down the prices. With greater competition in munufacturing, the market value of the Angora fleece must materially advance. In 1843 there were •570,5231b of tins wool exported from Turkey, the market value being 30c pci* pound. In 1853 the expoi t amounted to 3,335,3191b, and tho price Iwl advanced to 55c to 60c. In 1860 the export was 5,000,0001b, and the price GOc. In 1871 tho export amounted to 7.000,0001b, and tho price had advanced to 88c to 90c. Tiic demand for this fleece increases more rapidly than its production, and the price in consequence is steadily advancing Angora wool is now extensively used with silk in fit* manufacture of Indies' apparel. The wool production of tho world at the present is 1,783,915,0001b, and that of moJiair nWout 7,000,000 ft). Tho authority above quoted , in speaking of the increase ot slicop, says that all sheep bred more lambs on the Pacific coast than on tho Atlantic by 25 per cent. They should be put in small bands to save their lambs. Texel sheep will average a yearly iucreate of over 260 per cent j Mexican and Cbintae, 150 per cent; Cotswold, 150 per cent; Southdowns, 110 per crnt ; grade merino, 125 per cent; pure merino, 180 per cent. All, c\eept tho merinos, have lambs at one } ear old."

A Fiencb inventor, M. Lambrigot, has just constructed a new machine for motive power, \vorking"by alcohol, or woodspirit, or some mmcml essence, and applicable for Jhe actuation o r machinery for various jjurpoj.es, such as pumpe, htcam- vessels, paddle or soiew, circular saw?, sewing machines, agricultural ln.iehmoi, the propulsion of vehicles, &c. — Iron.