POTATO PROSPECTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 966, 5 November 1910, Page 8

POTATO PROSPECTS.

(By Telecraph.— Special Correspondent.! Auckland, November 4. Those who planted potatoes in anj quantity for the present season aro (says the "Herald") likely to be well repaid for their outlay. Owing to the prevalence of blight in the crops in recent years growers have been limiting the,areas devoted to potato growing. In fact, many growers have given lip the cultivation of . this useful article of diet altogether, and gono in for dairy farming instead. In consequence of this there will probably bo a limited supply of local tubers this seasoii, ajul prices are likely to be comparatively high. So far the crops have been remarkably free from blight, and many who had been shy about planting potatoes are now hastening to make up for lost time, and seedsmen have been . rushed in supplying orders for seed potatoes which are, unfortunately, not at, all plentiful. There is a keen demand for potatoes in the south, and at the auction sales they havo realised as much as 6d. per lb.

IMPROVEMENT OF WOOL CLIPS. OPINION OF MR. S. B. HOLLINGS, OF BRADFORD. "Every flockowner can rest assured that he has plenty of room for advancement, no matter how long ,he has been directing special attention to improving his sheep." Thus writes Mr. S. B. Hollings in that gold mine of knowledge for pastoralists,. the "Wool Record." As an authority on all such matters, Mr. Hollings without doubt stands head and shoulders above all others to-day. Progress is the watchword of every "live" man in every lino of business, and the up-to-date sheep-owner will find that he lias taken a Jong stride forward if he tries Quibell's Dips on level terms against any other brand or brands ftith which he may havo been perfectly .satisfied for years. WANCANUI AGRICULTURAL SHOW. Capitr.l entries have come in for the Wanganui show, and now it only remains >to say that there is no event r! the year which, (in its own district) should command such attention as the show, for assuredly it is one of the finest education factors on the calendar. It does not .matter In what direction one's hobby lies, all' have a chance to enter and win a prizo. The feature of the show which, snould interest townsfolk most is the home industries, art, technical and school competitions.

FREE TO ALL DAIRYMEN. FARMERS AND STOCKOWNER3. The Wellington editilm of SYKES'? Jourcal for Dairymen, Farmers, and fitockowners has now issued from the press, and contains the roost comprehen6XF6 information necessary • to successful dairy-farming ever distributed. Specially useful will be found the extensive tables for recording _ the daily milk-testing. records for the year. The diseases common to cows and their treatment are explained in language that no farmer can misunderstand. Breeding, tables, seed-sowing tables, herd register, account books, in fact, everything a farmer shouid know are now offered to ; you. free,, . If I havo •overlooked your name in the Wellington distribution, send .at once a post-card to> the publisher, and you will receive one by return mail.—A. E. STICKS, Chemist, Proprietor SYKES'S l)iifcl.NC.H, NewPJymouth.-— * COMMERCIAL ITEMS. INVESTMENT SHARES. ■ There were no sales of investment shares yesterday, and 'values were without alteration. The quotations wero as under:— Buyers. Seller* £ b. & £ s. d National Bank 516 0 Equitable Building i.. 9 12 6 — N.Z. Loan and Mercantile 0 10 0 — N.Z. and River Plate — 2 10 Feilding Gas — 123 Well. Gas . (new) — 210 0 National Insurance 112 0 — Standard Insurance 15 9 — Meat Export (525. 6d.) 3 3 0 Well. Woollen (ord.) 3 14 0 3 15 6 Well. Woollen (pref.) ... 216 0 — Taupiri Coal 0 19 6 — Westport Coal 6 8 0 — Maurioevillo Lime — ' 017 0 Miramar, Ltd. (135.) — 0 2 6 N.Z. Con. Dental 116 la 2 ? N.Z. Drug ..... - .2WI 0 Sharl-and's ordinary — 12 3 Taranaki Petroleum • . — 0 10 0 Taringamutu Totara. ... 2 3 0 2 3 9 Ward and Co — 5 4 0 LOCAL. WOOL SALES.

The New Zealand wool sales, will be open-, ed at Wellington on Tuesday next at 2 p.m., when about 1170 bales will bo offered; the quantity is lower than at the corresponding sales of the two previous seasons, and is due to the fact that shearing has been .somewhat delayed by the weather. The catalogues "for threo ycaiß compare as under-.— . Bales. November, 190Q . 1400 November, 1909 2500 November, 1910 1170 The subsequent sales are expected to show very heavy increases, and so far as Wellington' is concerned the season promises to be a good one. Tho offerings of the several brokers on Tuesday will bo approximately as under:— Bales. Dalgety and Oo 350 Levin and Oo 400 Murray. Roberts, and C 0.... 150 N.Z. Loan and Mercantile... 150 Abraham and Williams 120

Customs revenue collected at the port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £4304 16s. Id.

WELLINGTON MAEKETS. The New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Co., Ltd., report :~Potatoes arc in eliort supply, but Australian importations continue to prevent any further advance. Onions are now falling off rapidly in quality, but now season's Vio torlan grown arc expected in about a week. Cabbage has been in very largo supply, with low values, having a tendency 1 to reduce the price of green peas below 1 the normal value for this' time of the year. We havo good inquiries for swedes and marrows, and choice cauliflower sell freely at high prices. Very largo shipments of eggs continue to come to hand from all parts, and values arc unchanged. Butter has weakened owing to larger supplies. Bran has advanced 20s. per ton during the last two' weeks, and is very scarce. 7?oultry is in keen demand where quality is good. Porkors are meeting ready sale. Quotations:—Potatoes, prime, local, £10 10s. to £12 j Australians, £11 to £12 per ton; potatoes, seed, specially selected, Canterbury Up-to-Dates, £10 per ton; onions, Australian, £8 10s. per ton; cabbage, choice. 2s. to 35., ordinary *3. 6d. per sack; cauliflower, 6s. 6d. to 10s. per sack; Nelson green peas, Bd. to ild. per ; pack; carrots, Jlutt, choice 9d. per doz. and i 4s. per sack, others 2s. 6d.; turnips, white, , sd. to 6d. doz.; syedes, ss. per sack; pumpkins, 6s. to 7s. per sack; lettuce, choice 25.; to 2b. 6d., fair Is. 6d. to 2s. per caso; j spinach, best, 2s. 6d. per caso; spring onions, Bd. doz. bundles; asparagus, sd. to 8d bunch; rhubarb, Ib. fid. to Is. Bd. doz.; apples, cookers, laTgcr, 6s. 6d. caso; apples, dessert, well coloured, 9s. 6d. per caso; butter, separator, 9jrd. to 10d., bulk IOJd. pats, dairy 9d. per lb. ; cheese, best factory mediums 63d. per lb., loaf ?d. per lb.; dressed pork, ?o's to 90's 4id., 90's to 100's 4Jd., baconers 4d., choppers (heavy) 2id.; eggs, fresh, lOd. to lid. doz.; bacon, factory sides 7£d., rolls BJd., hams 9d. per lb.; honey, 3£d. to 4d. per lb. (glow of sale!; beeswax, fs. 6d. per lb.; fungus, keen demand, at 5Jd. per lb.; walnuts, s£d. per lb. (wanted); tallow, tins, 28s. cwt.; wool, sheepskins and hides, special sale on November 18, 1910. Poultry: Cockerels, ss. 6d, to 6s. 6d. for good biids;

small, 3s. 6it. to 4s. 6d.; table roosters, 55.; table herfs, 3s. 6d. to 45.; chicks, Is. to Ib. 6d.; ducks, large, os. to 6s. 6d. per pair; turkey gobblers, 9d. per lb.; hens, 8d pe. lb. live weight. H

The Jvew Zealand Fruit and Produce Company report for tho weelc as follows — Tho prices for Sydney fruit still keeps lugli, owing to_the restrictions imposed by inspectors. The demand for vegetables koeps fairly good, with the exception of cabbage. New potatoes keep firm at 3d. to 4d. per lb. Old potatoes art. still scarce and maintain full values. Onions tiro much iirmer, and have advanced from £1 to £2 per ton. The following are this weeks pncesr-Potatoes (New Zealand), w*'♦ .h 0 11 ; cwt "' Potatoes, new, 3d. to 4d. lb.; potatoes, Australian, 10s. to Us. cwt.; onions, 9s. to 10s. cwt.: marrows, ss. sack; cauliflower, 10s. to 12s 9d [Sack; pumpkin, 7b. to Bs.. 9d. tacit;' tomatoos. Is. lOd. to 2s. Ib.; French beans, in i ls ' t0 " ls - 3d - <=" ; 10s 'f°12s. sack; parsnips, 10s. to 12s. sack; cabbage, Is. to3s. sack; turnips, Is. 6d. to 3s. suck; spinach, 2s. 6d. to3r>. case* lettuce, 2s. to 4s. case; cucumbers, lis, to 135.; rhubarb, 2s. Bd. to 45.; asparagus, 6d. to Bd, bunch; Hobart apples, scarlet permams 9s. to 10s., stone nippin 7s. to Bs., French crabs Bs, to 9s„ stunners Bs. to 95.; lemons, 14b. to 155.; pines, 9s. to 10s. :d.; bananas, 15s. to 18a.; oranges, 17s. to 195.: passion fruit 13s. to 13s. 6d.; mooidarins (bushels), 18s. to 195.; mandarins ijins), 205.; mandarins (packcrs), 14s. to 155.; eggs, Is. doz.; chaff, £5 to 15s. per ton; oats, A grade gartons, 2s. 6d. to 2s. 7d,; bran, 7s. 6d. to 9s. 3d. sack; wheat, 3s. Bd. to 4s. bushel; straw, 2s. to 2s. 3d. bale; ncc, 6s. 6d. (561b.) mat.; pollard, £6 ton; ducks, 4s. fid. to 6s. pair; peanuts, 235. sack; hens, 3s. to 3s. 6d.' pair.

LONDON MARKETS. Messrß. Dalgety and Company, Limited, nave received the following from their London house, dated November 3:Beef: No demand for New Zealand, and River Plate of good o.uality is offering at low prices. Wo Quote:—New Zealand ox fores, 2|d.; hinds, 3Jd. per lb. Lamb: New ZeaJand, present high- priccs aro caused by a temporary shortage, and the demand is limited, while inouiry for Australian is moderate. We ouote:—New ZeaI and prime crossbred lamb, heavy 54d. per lb., light 55d. per lb., North Island, heavy 3d., light 5Jd. Australian, good average quality crossbred lamb, heavy 42d., li U 'ht •ad. Mutton: New Zealand, demand is poor, owing to present high prices, which aro caused by temporary shortage. Wo Quote ;-New Zealand prime crossbred Canterbury, heavy 33d. per lb., ligh' 4id per lb., _ North Island, heavy 33d„ light prune Australian Crossbred, heavy, 3}d. por lb., light 32d. per lb. Business generally for frozen meat is quiet. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the follow* ins cablegram from their London houre under date November 2:—'"Tallow We quote present spot values for the followmg descriptions:—Good mutton, 4Cs. per •wt.; good bpef, 395. 3d. per cwt.; mixed, 38s. per cwt.- # Market firm. Wheat: We quote 365. c.i.f. for Australian; market yeak with lower > tendency; there is very demand owing to heavy stocks now held and the market on the Continent is likely to decline. We quote c.i.f. New Zealand wheat, long-berried, 31s:; Ehortberried, 30s. 6d.- Oats: We quoteGartons 18s.; sparrowbills, 17s. per quarter; market very dull, and outlook discouraging." \

BANK OF ENGLAND RETURN. By Telegraph -Pres* Asfiociation-Copyriek* (Rec. November 4, 8 p.m.) ; London, November 3. Tho Bank of England return issued for the week, ended Wednesday, November 2, is as under :— . . . lasuu Drpartjtbnt. Note 188u0... / Gov.debt ... in.mi.oM Othor Becuritiei ... 7.tt4,ffo GoU M . 30.9-iB.0(O £i 0,375,000 . Bwkino. Depaktstrnt. Proprietora' .Govt, socuricapital £14,553,000 ties £1-1,331.000 Public do- Other 60curiposits ... {j,570,C00 ties 000 Other uoposits ... 38,41-i,OOO Notes • ... 20,708 COO Rest, 7-day aua othor Coin ... 1.330.C00 biiia... ... s.ICG.OOO J5w2.701.00a £02,70),C00 Tho leading ittfma of tha Bank of Kn^

land return afford tho following com* parieon Thiswaok. Lasfewook. Last year £ £ £ Bullion 30,920,(XX) 20,078.000 30,8°ij.000 Kesorve '22,008,000 22.015.000 21,-161,C00 Note circul&tiou 126,607,000 27,751,(XX) 20,185-,000 Public Deposits 6,570.000 7,174.000 6,450,C00 Other Deposits 35,41-2,001) 40,544,000 40,776,000 Proportion of reserve to liabilities 49,17 46.11 45,42 GOVEENJIENT SEOOEITIES. The following aro the latest quotation, for Government securities, with a com* parison of those ruling last week:—

BANK RATES OF INTEREST. . I The Bank of England discount rato was i reduced on January 20 last from 4J per 1 cent, to 3£ per cent., and on February 10 to 3 per cent. On March 17 it was raised i to 4 per cent., on June 2 it was reduced to 3J per cent., and on June 9 to 3 psr cent On September 29 it was raised to 4 per cent., and on October 20 to 5 per cent., at which rate it now stands. . The Bank of France rate was reduced from 3J to 3 per cent, on January 23. 1908. and remains at tho latter figure. The . Imperial Bank of Germany on January 21 last lowered its rate from 5 per cent.,- and on February 10 to 4 per cent On September 26, the rate was raised to 5 per cent. HAEKET RATES OF DISCOUNT. The following are the market rates for best three months' bills:— London Paris Berlin rate. rate. rate, percent, percent, percent. • This week 4$ 21 43 Last week 41M6 2| 4g Last year 4J 21 415-16 Short loans are quoted at 48 per cent as against 41 per cent, last week, and 43 per oent. a year ago.

COLONIAL AND OTHEK PEODTJOE. Wheat.—Tlio markets aro dull and drooping, owing to the decline in America, the continuance of good rains in Argentina, and the poor demand on England and the Continent; 36a. is asked for South Australian, October-November shipments; 355. 3d. for December-January; 355. for January-Febru-ary; and 365. 3d. for New South Wales on steamer afloat. Twelve to fifteen thousand quarters of Australian wheat, for January-February shipment, have been sold at 355. and a similar Quautitv at 355. There is a limited demand, for Australian on spot at about 365. 6d. or 37s New Zealand wheat is ouoted at 375., and for forward delivery 325. 6d. to 345. Flour.—The market is weak. Good patents on passage are cruoted at from 25s to 255. 6d.; c.i.f. on spot, 265. to 265. 6d. Oats.—The market is dull. New Zealand prices aro unchanged. La Plata, for November-December shipment, 12s. 6d. Butter.—The market is demoralised oiving to heavy supplies and muggy weather. Danish 112s. to 1145., as against 114s. to 116s. last week. The demand is confined to choicest Australian salted 104s. to 106s as against 106 a. to 108s. last week, unsalted 106s. to 110s., as against 114s. to 116s. The lower grades are neglected, and practically unsaleable; secondaries nominally 965. to 100s. I Sugar.—German beet, 88dcg., Id. higher at Bs. lid. per cwt.; first mark granulated f.o.b. Hamburg, 3d. lower, at 10s. lid. Bradford Tops.—The market is hesitant, and consumers, are waiting for lower prices. The spot prices are unchanged but for future delivery the quotations a,re:-Sixty-fours, 27d.; super sixties, 261 d. - common sixties, 25Jd.; fifty-sixes, 22Jd. • fifties, 19id.; forty-sises, 153 d.; and forties', 14d. THE METAL MARKETS. Copper.—On spot, 16s. 3d. higher, at £57 10s. per ton; three months, 15s. higher, at £58 10s. Tin.—Cash and forward delivery, £167 per ton. Pig-iron, Id. lower, at 495. lOd. per ton. Spelter, unchanged, at £24 per ton. WHEAT. '': j By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright I London, November 3. The American visible supply of wheat is estimated at 71,360,000 bushels. SILVEB. • Silver is quoted at 253 d. per ounce. MINING, ETC. Mining News, Live Stock Sales, and Wool, Skin, and Hides Sales will l be found on page 13 of this issue.

( Variations — _ cowpated Pricoi with -—. , last week. i a. d. ~ 21% Imperial Consols 79 10 0 10s. hi her 1 ,:\.SAV.1933Jan.-July 105 5 0 ss. higher 31 „ N.S.W.1918 ..ar.-Sop. 93 0 0 Unchanged 3 „h;.b.\V.l'J35Apt.-Oct. 83 17 0 lis.tiu. lower 1, ..Vic. 1920Jau.-July 102 0 0 UccliauBed 3i „ Vic. lftil-6 Jan.-July SS 0 0 UnohangBd 3 .. Vic. llfzO-JOJati.-July 85 10 0 Unchanged .31 „&,A. 1916 Jan.-July 9) 10 O Unchanged i „S.A. U10 Jan.-July 63 10 0 Unchanged 4 „Qrdl915-2JJan.-July 102 10'0 Unchanged "0, dl'J«-M J an.-J U iy 88 0 0 Unchanged H 3i 10 0 Unchanged J , 19»May-Nor. 103 10 0 .Unchan"od si lOlOJan.-Jnly Oj 10 0 Unchanged I H N.Z.19«April-Otft. fcC 0 0 2s.60Mgher 3J „ tt.A.1920-40.Jay-Soy 9li 0 0 Unchanged » „ Nv-A.KliKrfiuy.NoT 8510 0 Unchanged 3i „ Tas. ISJOJan.-July 89 0 0 Un hansed 3 »'Jas. li&MO Jan.-July 86 0 0 Unchanged