INCREASING IMPORTATIONS.

Wool-growers must look with alarm upon the impetus given to increased importations by the reduction of the tariff in 1883. In one year 33,000,000 pounds of raw wool were imported, and 150,000,000 pounds of wool were imported in the shape of goods.

THE LONDON AUCTIONS.

The next auctions in London open January 31, when the new clip of Australian wool will be freely offered. At the last sale only 1,500 bales were bought for America. They went almost exclusively to the mills direct, and have not appeared upon the market.

As the new Australian clip contains a better assortment and is said to be in lighter condition than the last one, the probabilities are that more of it will be bought for this side, as it is better suited to the American wants.

FOREIGN WOOLEN MILLS RUNNING ON SUNDAYS.

The New York Nation (free-trade), makes the statement that 58 per cent. of the manufacturing establishments of Prussia are run on Sunday. It is also a well-known fact that many of them are run until late at night, yet the wages paid for these long hours are less by one-half than those which are paid to the similar class of operatives in the United States, who labor only sixty hours per week. This cheapness of production of European goods is one of the most potent causes for the low prices of American wool. Wages can not be reduced in American mills with one-half the ease with which the price of raw material can be reduced. Therefore, when the manufacturer is compelled to lower the price of his goods to prevent the foreign manufacturer from driving him out of market, the only way he can cheapen his product is to pay less for his wool; hence the grower in the United States is directly injured by any lessening of the protective duties on goods. That which we most strongly favor is an increase in the duties upon manufacturers of wool, without any decrease of the duties upon raw material.

FINE OHIO AND MICHIGAN FLEECES.

XX and XXX Ohio fleeces are neglected. The nominal price for the best Ohio wools is 32 to 33 cents, but no considerable quantity can be marketed except at considerable concession from these prices. Over a quarter of a million pounds of choice old wool had to be marked down to 313 cents per pound to find a buyer, who refused to take more at the same price. Second-class Ohio wools grading X and above have been inoved to 28 to 30 cents, at which price on a scoured basis they are not cheaper than the best wool at 31 cents. Fine Michigan is nominally worth 28 cents, but does not sell freely.

COMBING AND DELAINE.

Fine Ohio delaine is now freely offered at 35 cents, but is neglected. Buyers who were eager for it in the autumn now refuse to take it at that price. One important lot which had been held at 37 cents was pressed for sale by the owner with considerable urgency, and sold at 33 cents, notwithstanding the fact that no wool can be brought from

any part of the world to undersell Ohio fine delaine even at 35 cents. Owing to the heavy importation of worsted goods at low prices under the present worsted schedule of the tariff of 1883, manufacturers declare that they can not compete with these foreign goods at 35 cents for fine delaine wool, notwithstanding that it is relatively cheaper than any imported wool. Medium combing and delaine are firmer than the fine grade, and are in smaller supply. The best Ohio medium combing is worth about 38 cents fleece-washed and 28 cents unwashed.

LOW MEDIUM AND COARSE COMBING WOOLS.

Low medium and coarse combing wools, such as one-fourth blood and common, sell fairly at 37 cents for fleece-washed, and 27 cents for unwashed, but at any higher price they are neglected. The cheapness of Irish wools causes them to be substituted in a large measure for American low combing. This class of wool is admitted under the present tariff arrangement at the duty of unwashed, although nearly as clean as scoured wool. An amendment of the present law requiring all washed wools of all classes to pay double the duty of unwashed, would lessen the competition of these Irish wools, and would afford sufficient protection to stimulate the production of mutton sheep as well as of low medium grades of combing wool.

ΜΟΝΤΑΝΑ.

Montana wools share in the general quietness of the market. Holders are asking the prices which prevailed in November, but no one can tell how much concession is necessary to dispose of these wools at this time, when manufacturers are so reluctant to buy.

COLORADO.

Colorado wools are in fair supply, and are pressed for sale at prices current during the autumn. Figures, however, which were obtained easily previous to the 1st of December can not now be realized. Sales which at that time looked low are, in the light of subsequent events, very excellent, and many holders of Colorado wools would to-day gladly dispose of them at lower figures than were paid previous to the receipt of the President's message.

NEVADA.

Notwithstanding the lack of demand for other territorial wools the fine clips of Nevada, which are particularly suited to the present wants of manufacturers in this market, owing to their softness of finish, are inquired for to day, and command relatively better prices than any other fine territorial wools. The market has been cleared of these qualities, and much more could be placed immediately at full quotations.

CONSIGNMENTS.

There are many lots of wool still remaining in the country for which there is no sale there. To the owners of such we offer our services for the disposal of their wool. We will make cash advances to responsible parties, with bills of lading attached to sight draft, to the extent of two-thirds of the Philadelphia market value.

[Prepared by Justice, Bateman & Co.]

Comparison of the scoured value ana the value in the grease of competing grades of American and foreign wools, etc.-Continued.