Chile.— In Chile the raising of sheep for their wool to be used in the domestic textile industry has been carried on since the first settlement of the country. It is within the present generation that the industry has as sumed export proportions, a result of the development of the southern portion of the republic, including the extensive territory of Magellanes. The number of sheep in the coun try, according to the estimate of the govern ment (Commerce Reports, 16 March 1916), is 5,000,000, of which 2,000,000 are in the terri tory tributary to Punta Arenas.
Formerly the centre of the government penal colony, founded in 1840, Punta Arenas, on the Strait of Magellan, in time became an im portant coaling station for steamers. Later, Scotch shepherds from the Falkland Islands, noting the excellence of the pastures in the vicinity, brought their flocks and started the industry that promises to become one of the most important in the country. The result has been that the Chilean government has recog nized thepossibilities of this part of the re public, and has thrown open the territories of Llanquihue, Chiloe and Magellanes to settle ment, and thousands of acres of land have been occupied, the greater part devoted to sheep farming. There are many settlers from the British Isles, and English is everywhere spoken. Punta Arenas, population 17,000, was a free port until 1912, one cause of its rapid growth and importance. The territory, all devoted to the same industry, of which it is the chief city, includes not only Chilean pastures, but those of southern Argentina. The estimated clip for 1916 (Commerce Reports, 21 Oct. 1916), was 25,000,000 pounds. Argentine wool also to the amount of 1,347 metric tons (2,204.6 pounds) passed through this port in 1914.
In 1913 and 1914 Chile exported the follow ing amounts (metric tons).: To Great Britain, 9,400 and 8,115; France, 1,938 and 1,264; Bel gium, 583 and 39; Germany, 742 and 2,185; and the United States, 7 and 358. Due to the demand caused by the war, exports increased greatly to the United States, those for 1915 (fiscal year ending 30 June) amounting to 2,369,359 pounds, valued at $599,650, and 1916, 9,611,489 pounds valued at $2,562,792.
Chilean wool is divided into two general classes merino, which is fine, soft, curly and comparatively short, and English, which is long, straight and glossy. Between these two
grades there are various ,D the quantity of these increasing each year. After 1914, the price of merino wool fell, while the crossbred rose appreciably. Export wool is unwashed (Commerce Reports, 16 March 1916), weighing twice as much as that prepared for spinning. The lack of facilities for washing had the effect of causing difficulty in the dyeing of wools for native industry. Of this latter there are two factories in the country, at Santiago and at Tome, the annual consumption being about 550 metric tons of wool, and their output 435,000 yards of fabric, which is used in part for army, navy and police uniforms. In addition, the manufacture includes cash. meres, broadcloths, blankets and shawls.
Uruguay, as regards the pro duction of wool, is subject to the general con ditions that affect Argentina. The country is essentially pastoral, and the greatest interest has been taken by the government in the intro duction and propagation of fine stock. The ex ports of wool in 1913 amounted to 63,571 metric tons. Since 1914, the greatest trade in this commodity has been with the United States, the exports in 1914 (fiscal year ending 30 June) amounting to 7,965,817 pounds, valued at $1, 854,065; 1915, 14,612,703 pounds, valued at $3,956,216; and 1916, 8,941,506 pounds, valued at $3,206,191.
Brazil, due to the tropical nature of the greater part of its surface, is not destined to become one of the great wool producing countries. However, in the southern part of the republic -notably in the state of Rio Grande do Sul- the climate is adapted for sheep raising, and a considerable quantity of wool is produced. The principal market of the country for wool is at the port of Rio Grande. Success is also reported in sheep raising for wool in the states of Parana and Minas Geraes. Exports for the country in 1911 amounted to 2,147,970 pounds, valued at $311,386; 1912, 4,198,630 pounds, valued at $571,276; 1913, 2,838,804 pounds, valued at 1914, 2,448,193 pounds, valued at 51,544; and 1915, 997,639 pounds, valued at 93,065. Exports to the United States during the fiscal year ending 30 June 1915 amounted to 115,147 pounds, valued at $29,389; and 1916, 87,864 pounds, valued at $15,590. Native in dustry consumes a large amount, the quantity increasing rapidly.