me of
shearing, there should not be too much haste in making sales. In 1861, I
think it was, the farmers were over anxious to sell, for no other reason
than because at that time the price of wool was very low and the market
dull. They then overlooked the well established commercial fact that
depressed markets generally advance, rather than retrograde, and that
Government disbursements then certain to be made would create funds and
a higher market, and that the demand for the staple would increase. They
consequently sold for _twenty-five cents_ per pound, fleeces, that in
less than three months commanded _forty-five_ to _fifty_ cents. They
also, in many instances, offered to sell their fleeces for less than
half the sum they would bring in a very few weeks. On the other hand, as
is too common, when wool at the time of shearing commands a high price
and the market is brisk, the farmers are inclined to hold on for still
higher prices. But this is another mistake in the opposite direction.
The rule should be,--"_sell_" when the market is quick, and prices are
good;--and "_hold on_" when the market is dull and prices are low.

Before leaving this subject, permit me to call your attention to another
important matter in connection with sheep husbandry in this State.
Sufficient care has not heretofore been taken to clean and otherwise
properly prepare this great and important staple for market, and the
consequence has been that the character and representation of "Michigan
wool," I am sorry to discover, has been very seriously lowered in the
market, and a great loss to the producers has thereby been sustained. It
is a fact, perhaps not generally known, that from this cause alone,
"Ohio wool" sells for about _five_ to _ten cents_ per pound more than
"Michigan wool." In an interview which I recently had with an extensive
eastern manufacturer, who was induced last season for the first time to
purchase a lot of "Michigan wool," he expressed his surprise that the
Michigan wool growers should be so heedless of their own interests as to
overlook this important fact. From his statements I learned that the
prejudice of the manufacturers against "Michigan wool" was so great that
many of them would not buy it at hardly any price when they could get
"Ohio wool." He said a large proportion of our wool was poorly washed,
and that this was true of a great proportion of our finest and best
lots; and that it was not only sent to market in this c