ey in the purchase
of that class is of but little account. It is well known that very high
prices are being paid not only for single specimens but for whole flocks
of this breed. This is probably all right, so far as it is necessary for
the purpose of attaining excellence in flocks, upon points already
spoken of. To such a preference there should be no objection, if it be
not carried so far as to superinduce an unprofitable reaction--and
provided that the demand for the grade of wool produced by these sheep
is to have no limit, and that all which can be grown is sure always to
command a remunerative price. But will this probably be so? Let us
consider.

As I have already intimated, the demand for any particular quality or
kind of wool will not depend upon the fact that farmer A or farmer B has
such wool to sell, taken from sheep for which he paid very large prices,
and of which he has now a very large flock; but rather because that
particular kind and quality of wool is called for by the manufacturer
simply to fill the orders of the merchant, who in his turn is only
desirous to supply the demands of the consumer.

From an examination of our imports, it appears that in 1863, of _sixty
millions_ of woolen goods, about _forty millions_ were manufactured of
the longer worsted wool. This wool is required to make a fabric of
lustrous appearance for imitations of Alapaca, and for a supply of which
our manufacturers now depend mostly on foreign countries The price of
combing wool has been for some time increasing rapidly, in comparison
with other wool, in consequence of its consumption gaining upon its
growth. And I saw recently that the British farmer had been urged to
increase the production of this article to its fullest extent, both from
a consideration of duty as well as of interest.

The manufacturer of Alapaca cloths--a most beautiful fabric of recent
introduction--and their extensive use, has not only led to this
increased demand, but has enhanced the price of this kind of wool, which
will undoubtedly be maintained, as new fabrics requiring to be made from
long wools, especially for the garments of ladies, are now being
introduced in great variety, and are becoming daily more popular and of
more general use. Another cause for the continued and increasing demand
for these wools is the facility with which they can be used for the
purpose of making imitations of Lama fabrics and Alapacas; and I have no
doubt that factor