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GENERAL REPORT OF THE JUDGES OF GROUP IX. 3 were literally the direct source of the Australian wool-husbandry, we must regard the Australian exhibit as one of the most striking illustrations of the world’s acquisitions within the last century. The only deficiency attending this exhibit—one which the high ' culture and science of these colonies might have easily supplied— was the want of systematized information as to the statistics of wool- production and sheep-husbandry, the methods of improvement, and the details which would be interesting to the practical shepherd. This deficiency, in some respect supplied by the several Commissioners, and by personal inquiries and reference to trustworthy authorities, forbids the fullness of information in this report which the importance of the Australian wool-production demands. The number of sheep in Australia, according to the latest returns, is stated in the following communications: “St. George’s House, Fairmount Park, “ Philadelphia, September 2, 1876. “ Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 28th ultimo, I beg to send you a copy of a letter which I have just received from Mr. Robinson, Secretary of the New South Wales Commission. “ I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, “A. J. R. TRENDELL. “John L. Hayes, Esq., ii Pemberton Square, Boston, Mass.” [Enclosure.—Copy.] “ Philadelphia. “ Sir,—In reply to your letter of yesterday’s date, covering a com munication from Mr. Hayes, I have the honor to inform you that the number of sheep in the Australian colonies in the year 1874, the latest year for which I have statistics, was as follows: “ New South Wales ........ 22,872,882 Victoria 11,225,206 South Australia ......... 6120211 Queensland 7,268,946 Tasmania 1,714,168 Western Australia ........ 777,861 New Zealand 11,704,853 61,684,127 “The number at the present time would be very much larger, but I regret that I cannot inform Mr. Hayes what is the average rate of yearly increase. The production of wool may be arrived at on the basis of the average clip, which I believe to be 2% pounds of washed wool for each fleece. If Mr. Hayes consults the export returns of the different colonies, it may be important that he should know that