ITALY. Accepting the estimates of the census returns of 1890 the number of sheep in Italy has not materially decreased since 1875. The number was 6,977,104 in 1875 and 6,900,000 in 1890. The domestic product or clip of wool has never been sufficient to meet the wants of the woolen manufacturers. In 1875 6,500,000 kilograms of raw wool were imported, and in 1891 8,992,000 kilograms-showing but little elasticity in the home demand. As little elasticity is shown in the demand for woolen manufactures or for manufactures of wool mixed with cotton. In 1875 the value of woolen manufactures, pure or mixed, was 45,962,000 lire, and in 1891 43,553,000 lire. In 1892 every pound of wool that Italy imported was for domestic consumption; but of the domestic product there was quite an export, Switzerland taking two-thirds. The principal countries from which wool was imported, in that year, are shown in the following table: |