In 1842 Spain sent to France 3,925,189 kilograms (8,635,416 pounds), and the value constituted more than one-fifth (22.4 per cent) of the value of the entire imports from Spain. Statistics of the export of wools to other countries are wanting, but at this time that commodity must have formed one of the leading staples if not the staple in the Spanish export trade. The tariff of 1841 specifically notices an element of competition for "Saxony wool, called "primas electoralis" was subjected to a duty of 40 reals vellon for every arroba imported, or about 8 cents a pound. In 1859 the exports of wool were returned at 159,917 arrobas* (4,055,493 pounds) showing a marked falling off in quantity. The exports since 1866 are given in the usual table. The destination of the exports of raw wools in the two years 1880 and 1891 are given in the following table. In the earlier years a distinction is made between common wool and fine or merino wool, a distinction not retained in the latter year. As showing the relative importance of the two kinds, I keep separate the earlier returns. If the returns of exports in 1795 are correct, wool gave more than 31 per cent of the value of all exports. In 1891 the value of raw wool rep * Anuario Estadistico de España, 1860, p. 323. resented only 7,686,000 pesetas out of a total of 932,245,000 pesetas; less than 1 per cent. As already stated, it was in 1818 Spain lost its supremacy in the English wool markets, and this must have been the result of some decay in the Spanish trade, a natural consequence, perhaps, of Napoleon's wars. A decisive blow on the part of England must also have determined the decline of exports in that particular direction. Wool was admitted into England free of duty from 1787 to 1802, when a duty of 58. 3d. per cwt. was imposed. In 1813 this duty was raised to 68. 8d. per cwt., and in 1819 to 56s. per cwt., or about 12 cents a pound. This high rate of duty, 1 cent a pound higher than is collected on unwashed wools of the first class under the United States tariff law of 1890, was intended as a measure of protection, and must have seriously affected the imports of Spanish wool already falling away in the face of German competition. I am unable to find any estimate of the number of sheep and lambs in Spain. QUANTITIES AND VALUES OF WOOL AND MANUfactures of WOOL IMPORTED INTO AND EXPORTED FROM SPAIN, 1866 TO 1891. [One kilogram equals 2-20462 pounds. One peseta equals 19.3 cents.] |