Wool Prices Here And Abroad

Demand and supply regúlate the prices of wool, as of other producís. But in the wool trade certain factors enter more prominently than in the trade in most other articles. The quality and availability of wools are powerf ui factors in determining demand, and therefore prices. Similarly, changes in fashion by stimulating or decreasing demand affect prices equally with changes in supply. Thns, during the past year some wools have greatly fallen in price, while the price of others has been well maintained. Each variety of wool produced has a use for vhich it is better than any other woo) grown. The price of wool therefore doea not depend upon the relation between the general demand and supply, but rather upon the relation existing between the demand and supply of each particular variety. The general expression therefore that "wool is up" or "down" carnes with it no real significance. Various attempte have been made to compare the prices of certain wools in this country and in England for the purpose of determining the effect of the tariff upon prices, but usually without 8atisfactory resulte, for these ons have included varieties of wool ntirely djssiinilar. There are two varieties of wool which approach each other very closely in qnality, nse and condition. In addition to this accurate records of thelr prices have been kept. These are Ohio medinm fleece washed and washed Port Phüip fleece. The former is a standard variety in the United States and the latter in England. For these woola a compariaon is possible. The following table shows the average yearly prices in gold in Boston and London, respectively. London quotations are those of Windeler & Co., and the American prices are taken from Mauger & Avery's wool circular: Ohio medium. Port Pbilip. Cents per pound. Cents per pound. 1868 46 BH ?f? k 1868 33 tíy 1 37M 34 18'0 404-5 351-5 1W1 503-5 421-5 18ra 602-5 514-5 l3 483-5 521-5 1874 483-5 513-5 1875 444-5 48 l8"6 384-5 414-5 1877 41 414-5 188 332-5 421-i 1S79 37HÍ 41M 1880 51 3-5 451-5 1881 45 4-5 41 '882 45i_5 433.5 1883 4i3s 40 1884 38 392-5 1885 331.8 a-.2-5 1886 354-5 33 1887 36 4-3 32 1-5 1888 34 321.5 18S9 373.5 321.5 1880 36 4-5 334-5 1891 3ü Port Philip fleece has averaged higher for thirteen years and lower for twelve years than Ohio medium fleece. For the twenty-five years ending in 1890 Ohio medium has averaged 41.48 cents per pound, and Port Philip fleece 41.08 cents per pound, showing a difference in favor of the former of .40 cents. If we elimínate the prices for 1871 and 1872, when speculation was rampant in this country and wools were contracted for on the sheep's back at from 65 to 70 cents per pound, we arrive at the following averages for twenty-three years: Ohio, 40.26 cents per pound and Port Philip 40.52 cents per pound, showing a difference in favor of the latter of .20 cents per pound. During the whole period both wools have risen and fallen together. From everj' point of view this showing is a reinarkable one and deserves carefnl consideration on the part of those who believe that the wool grower in the United States can derive good results trom a mirh uutv on vrool.-