FARMING & COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2534, 7 August 1915, Page 8

FARMING & COMMERCIAL

NEWS AND NOm

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES , LOCAL . MAEKET CONDITIONS. Fruit kspoctors of the - Orchards, Gardens, <md' Apiaries Division report as follows on tlie condition of locallygrpwn fruit and vegetables in shops and auction-rooms, and; . the market position of tlioso for the month of July: ■ —Business for ' this month has been quiet.'.:. Fruit lias been arriving in fair . quality. There is .an improvement of late in tlie- pacldng and grading. Growers, "no doubt, have noticed tho drop in price of vegetables. This was brought about by the-heavy supplies to hand. ■Prices ruling are as follow:—Sturmers, 3s. Gd. to 7s. fid.; Jonathans, 2s. 6d. to:'7s. : ; Dougherty :(liiie" simples), 6s. : to Bs. ;;Munroe's Favourite, 4s; 6d. to 7s:; Washington, lis, 6d. to ,75.; Epps Seedling, 2s. 6d.'to 35.; B-ymer, 4s. to • ss'„ 6d., all' at per case. Cauliflowers: (good; supplies io hand), 55.. to Bs. 6d.; cabbages' (poor samples), 15.:t0,25. 6d. per sack asparagus, ,2s. Od. per lb.; t spring onions, Cjl. to 10d. per dozen; potatoes,. £7.105. to £8 per ton." Onions os. 6<l. per hag. All other vegetables soiling at fair prices. . THE FRUIT CROP ' !/L6EI6ULTUR.\L'!.:DEPAB.TMMT'S • HEPOET..' , Officers of the Orchards,-Gardens, and 'Apiaries Division of th'6*;Department of Agriculture report a.s..followa" regarding , the conditiioi'.of, . end of-'July:—„. . ; ; - .Hastings.—Weather conditions for ; the': month -have been, favourable for orchard work, which has progressed sat- ■ isfactorily. The mild weather and the more or less absence of. frosts is Tesult- *!;" mg in the early swellings of buds. If Buch. conditions continue,.: 110 doubt an early, season will result. ■ Wanganui.—-Heavy wet weather has been-experienced, but- JlO serious dam- '■■■■. ago is so. far reported to the orchards. tFruit trees and bushes have commenced ■ to blossom' and '-are well advanced for the-season. -• " . . ; Palmerstdii North.—There. is practic- ;. ally nothing.further to report on.last ■ month. Several, demonstrations were ■ held throughout the district, and in each • ;. case'the . att'endanco'- --was gopd and great, interest shown. Plum trees are •blooming;,.arid pear buds are forward, }necessitating car-o with tho use of oil : . ■ sprays. " "■ . Wellington.—Qultiyation in general is 1 in full swing.;; 'Pruiiing;. is practically over,, and spraying is'having its full : -.., share of consideration. There appears to be a very fair show, of healthy fruit buds- on the- apples- and-pears, and if a good setting ; is the .resulK there will bo a record crop of'early fruit, as there is every appearance ,of iin early eprins.Indoor tomatoes' are. to :hand ana sell- ■ ' ina at good prices. ' ■ Cienlieiin.—Pruning, spraying, and planting -is in lull swing.-: Early peaches end plums, commcncing, to bloom. ... 1 , THE CITY MARKETS The usual consignment of • Island fruits via Auckland'arrived here by the War'rimoo last Tuesday, the oranges in rather- poor; order, values showing a decrease when compared with the last : direct; sliipnient. Sydney-consignments \ are siaialler. this: seasonr-than last, this K \ week's being on a.par with,last. Local i' - apples and pears are ill better demand, [ \;'A' tlie market being clear of'.both articles. Cabbages and cauliflowers are scarcer, with ijnaturalljf.increased'--demand : and - prices, biiirOTt: vegetables', are in heavy supply. .Spring.flowers are.-ill full supply. ;Potatoes are unchanged, while onions aro firmer. Fresh eggs are amving in .increased quantities, the . market being rather weak. Yesterday's approximate values were:—Bananas, Bs., 9s. case; Island oranges, 75., Us. 6d. case; American oranges, 225. 6d. case;- : Sydney oranges/ Bs., 9s. case; mstndarins) 7s. 6d. to 10s. 6d. case; .•Mildura lemons, 135., 14s:-.case; Sydney , lerpons, Bs.,' Bs. Gd.;'local lemons, 75,, * Bs. case; Queen, pines, 10s., 12s. 6d. -'qasey.:-. pineapples, 75., -. ,Bs-..-;- tomatoes, /Is. 3d., Is.: 6d. pound; pears, 75,, 9s. • half-case.' Apples—Sturmers, 65., 95.; Springdale, os.j.Gs. 6d.; Eokewood, 55., V7s. ; Jonathans/ Gs., 7s;,- Washingtons, Ss., 7s. 3d: ji'Eymers, 55., : ss. 9d:; Mnn--1 loe's.-Favourite, 5s 6d., 6s. 6d.; Lord iWolseley, 65., 75.: Alsop's Beauty, 45., 6s. 6d.; Epps Seeillings, 35., 4d.; Com•bridge Pippins, os., 6s:'9d:' Cabbages, .- 3s:, ss. 6d. sack; cauliflower,'-7s.', lis. 6d. sack; carrots, 25.-Gd.",' 3s'. Gd.'sack; turnips, 25., 2s. 6d.'6ack; beetroot,,3s., - : 4s. sack; parsnips, Is. 6d.; 2s. 6d. sack; 'swedes, 25.,'25.' Gd. sack; pumpkins, 75., 95.. Gd. sack;, marrows, Bs., 95."

sack: French beans, lOd. lb.; leeks, Gel., 7<l. <loz.; sprouts, 135., 14s. part sack; spring onions, (id., Bd. doz.; celery, 25., os. 6d. dois.; cucumbers, -Is. 6d. to. 9s. 6d. doz.; rhubarb, 9d, to lOd. bundle; lettuce, 3s. 6d., Gs. 6d.,-caso; spinnach. ■ 35.; 4s. 6d.' case; nsparagus, 2s. 6d. lb.; )x>tatoes,. £7 10s., £8 ; onions, Gs. Gd., 7s. bag; fresli egg.?,. Is. Gd. doss. LIVE STOCK SALES Messrs. Dalgcty and Company, Limited, report/as. follows , on their Avcckly Levin eaJe, held on Stock came forward veil above.advertised numbers,, and there was a 1 good yarding of sheep and an exceptionally heavy yarding • of cattle. Competition was very keen right throughout for.all classes of sheep, and fat* and forward cattle sold well, but dairy'cows and heifers met with rather n, dragging sale. Quotations; Two-tooth ewes in lamb, to ;235. 3d.; hoggets, 9s. 4d., 14s. 7d., 15s. lid.", to 17s. lid.; two-tooth cw.es, empty, to 23c>. 6d.; full-mouth ewes in lamb, 18s. 3d.; fat wethers. 31s. 6d. to 325. 9<L; fat cows, £6 13s. to £7 Is.; forward cows, £4 55.; empty heifers, .'£3 3s. to £4 155.; yearlings, £2, £2 14s-., £3; springing hedfers, £6 lCs.i £7, to £7 Ife. All pigs sold met -with full market value. • Messrs. Dalgety and Company, Limited, report-having held, their monthly sale in their Ota-ki yards on Tuesday, when they offered a -good entry of sheep and a large entry -of cattle. Competition . for - all classes of stock, tvgs • very keen, hoggets and sheep meeting with a good sale. By 1 the end of .the sale they disposed of nearly all lines ;under t-he hammer, and private j lines.. Quotations:— Mixed-age' ewes in' i lamb, 18s. 6d.; four, six, and f.m. ewe® in I lamb; '225.; empty ewes» 21s. to 225. lOd.;- , hogget-s,'. to • 18s.; small hoggets. 9s. Id.;, fat hoggets, - 265.; two-tooth wethers, 245. 1 ft!.; bulle, to £6 10s.; store cows, £2 13s„ : £4 17s.', to'£4 19s:; speyed cows, to £5 2s. 6d.; two-yeor steers,' to £6 os. 6d.; heifers j in' caJf, to £5 10s. , j. Messrs. Dalgety and Company, [ report having held their Upper Hutt salo "on \Tht^6day,-vwheiL they offered...a fair, .yarding .of., sheep and a good-entry -of. cattle. •' Competition . was keen •• right through.-Quotations:—Fat ewee,'to 2&s. 6a;; fat hoggets,,to 175.;-small- hoggets, to 10s. 7d.; fait, cows, £7 3s. to .-£7,45.; month -heifers, £3 10s. .6d. to -£4 ; 135., 6d.; springing heifers, to £10- lis.;' bulie. to £4 135.; .-storevcows, to £2 lis'., £4- Bs. springing cow's, £6, £6 lls>, £.7 2a. 6d.V"£11.45.. . Tjie New Zealand Loan. and. Mercantile AgencyOompany/ limited, report:rrAt Palmei'stori• -North,• on Thursday, we had: a heavy yarding of ' cattle and a email entry of sheop;. Tlie* entry of .fat and forward cows and heiferß on account of Mr. ,E. A.M'lCerizio did not meet with' keen competition at, auction, but we were successful, in placing the whole line at satisfactory prices, and very little cattle went out unsold., Quotations Sheep: Aged ewes, 12s. Id.; mixed lambs. 145.; fat hoggete, 18s. 9(Lfat ewes, 255. 9d. Cattle: Fat, forward S.K. and P.A. cows arid heifere, £9 10®. to £10 10s.; storo cows, £3, £3 10s. 6d.,£4 25.';6d.,, '£4 7s. ; forward .cows, £4:185., £5 10s.; empty heifers, £3 Is., £3 Us.; light fat cows, £6. £6 18s.; springing; cows, £5 17s. €d.,'£6'ss. " ' •' i r , Messrs.. "W. and G. Turnbull ond Co., Ltd., report on their Waipoua -sale - held on Thursday as follows:—A good yarding, of sheep and cattle 'came forward.. Competition for all good lines-:of ewes in lamb or forward.- wethers was'. very .keen, 1 consequently Tve havo to report a total clearanco of .all' sheep, penned at .the folluowing. rates Sheep;' Two-tooth to * f.rit." . in lamb- S.D. -rams, 255., 265. 6d., -28s. ; 7d.,to 29e. Bd.j f.m;i©wes in'.lamb, low. condition; .4&S. 6d., 17s. -,6d., to 20s. ;•-prime fat: ewes and wetliers, 305.; fat .ewes, 21s. to 255.; forward wethers, 285.-; fohvaTd empty ewes,r-175.-*ld;.'to 17s. 6d.;. good inixed-sex hoggete,- 18s.f 3d.; fat .hoggets, ,18s.- 9.d.; medium.hoggets. 12s. 10d.; small b.f. hoggetfii 1 13s. • Cattle: Two" and a haU-year steers;' £7- 15s.': steers, 10-w-condi-tion, £6 "25., 6d.4 . fat heavy, cows, £11 10s.; fart, heifers, £8 2s. 6d.;- forward .-''cows,. £5 10s.; small yearling steers,- £2-5s. # to £2 155.; 'yearling heifers. £2. Bs.; eighteenmonth' heifers, £3; bulls, -£4 9s, ! COMMERCIAL ITEMS *• ;,.;.;pifyESTMiNT i s^KE8 v ... : There Vcre no 'transactions i'n ,inTe6tincnt slin-res yesterday. Tho fiuoiclions -Tvere as follow:— ■ " . . ; ... ... Buyers. .Bellas.- ! £ s. d. f s. d. Westport Coal » 111 6 Westpott-Stocktoh 0',5 0 : 0 5' 2 N.Z. Drug ... 1 - ',276 Golden Bay Cement —' l l 6 Customs duty collected a't the port of Wellington, yesterday amounted to' £HBl I3e. I0d„ : WOOIj, skin, and hide sales. \ Messrs.. Dalgety and; Co., Ltd., report:— In addition.to the fortniphily sale of 'skiiiß. hides,; and tallow we held the last special cruteHings sales. of the . season.. > Eeipresentative's-. of Home, Jajanose,' and localbuyinghouses. were iii .attendance, and' priccs for ;medium lines of crutchings were on a par ; -v,-.itli : -thoee ruling at last-sole. All: good lines, however, wero:.lower. by one penny. per lb., whilst inferior and seedy sorts "were about one penny to-rljdi lower. Skins, and hides also -showed a decided' drop .on last sale's prices. Tallow was very firm at late'rates.. . Messrs.- Levin and Co. report:— I The fourth of the winter crutchine sales was held yesterday,. vwhen -1500 bales were, offered, of. which .ovf offering was 400 .bales. Buyers weTe present in full force from 'all parts, but the 'market lacked the -briskness of the three- previous ealee, owing- to the weak tone of the London market and recent advices. ' Best crutchings showed, a. fall of one penny. Medium crutchings fairly well held their own; inferior were hard to sellat twopence -under last sale, whilst very eeedy lines elicited no bids whatever. Eleoce wool was sought for, but at 003 penny to twopence under July xaites, ac-

cording to quality. Sheepskins, in sympathy with the London market for sliocs, prices here showed a marked drop. Best skins wore down a penny to a penny huhponny, whilst inferior skills wore almoet unsaleable. Tlio 'liido market was Also weak. Prices for lieavy ox were scarcely maintained, whilst all others were lower about a penny to a penny fartinn?. • The Wiairarapa Farmers' Association, Ltd., report as foUovs:—The fourth crntchdii-g &alc with sheepskins, hides, tallow, etc., took placo yesterday afternoon. Beet criuitchings were down la, to ljd.; seedy crutehings were very weak; Bltins were down Id.; cow ludes 451. per lb.; ox hides eold about tho same price as last ealo for good lines. , „ Messrs. Murray, Roberts and Co. report :-Tho fourth crutchings sale was held yesterday, in conjunction with, the regular sheepskin and hides sale. Prices for wool showed n decline of an average of about a penny per lb., eheepskins also dropping in value to the same extent. llide6 wero •firm-for ox, but cow hides declined from id. to 3-Bd. per lb. Tallow was firm. Seedy : lots of wool suffered considerably, eomo being almost unsaleable. Sliped wools also showed a drop of from 2d. to 2sd. . Tho New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., report:—Tlie fourth, cruitehing gale of the season was held in. conjunction with tho ordinary skin and hide eale. A total -of about 14C0 bales wool ' principally crutchings was. offered, also'large catalogues of skins and hides. There was foil* competition for all good lots, but seedy crutchinga wero almost neglected. Bad pelted and seedy • sheepskins ' wero also lower. AH hides, except heavy well-conditioned lots, were lower by at least a halfpenny per lb. We obtained for one.balo superior. crutching3, and otlher lots sold at from to 13Jd. Me&3rs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report:—The • fortnightly wool, skin, and hide sale was hold yesterday, in conjunction with the fourth sale of crutchings. The tone of-,the market wa6 decidedly easier. Skin's were lower by one, penny ito a penny and a half.' Heavy ox, an good demand, at par to a farthing better, whilst cow hides were lower a halfpenny to three-farthings. . Good crutchuigs were lower by one penny per lb. Ordinary crutchings wero one penny and a half down. Seedy crutchings ivere practically unsaleable. - - ' ' A successful sale was also held by the . "United. Farmers' Co*op. Association.. .The range of priccs waa as under:—' •' Wool: Crossbred., fine, 15£<L; crossbred, •medium to coarse, 12d. to 14£ d.; pieces'ana bellies, Bidi to 93d.; locks and stained pieces, 6d. to Bd.; crutchings, superior, 13d. to crutchings, medium to good, iza. to 13d.; crutchings, seedy «nd inferior, 6d. to 9}d.j lambs, Bd. to 13d.; dead, BJdto 133 d. Sheepskinsßalfbred, 9Jd. to 93d.; .Jlno crossbred, lOJd.' to- lid.; medium to coorso crossbred, lOd. to lid. ;• sliort 'to. lialf-wools, ' 61d. to 9|d.: dead end- damaged. crossbred, 6Jd. to 83d.; inferior and badly damaged, 2di.to 6id.; lambs, B}d. to IOJd.; damp, £olt,ed and green, 3s. to lls. 6d.;. pelts, 3s. 3d.; lambs, salted, 2s. 3d.' to 6s. _■. ' • Hides: Ox, heavy, 601b./up, IOJd.-to 113-Bd,; ox, medium, 50:591b.'; .9M. -t°_.lQ7W.; ox,, light, 491b. and • under, BJd. to 9}d.; cow, heavy. 551b. and over, to 9. 7-Bd.; cow, "medium, 42-541b., BJd. t*> 9 7-E<l.; .covr, light, •under 421b., BJd to 9 7-ltf.; out, slippy, and inferior, 3Jd. to 95d.i bull, stag, 3Jd. to 6id.;. yearlings, 7Jd. to Sgd.; calf 'to lOd.: calf, medium to good, 7Jd.- to 9 3-Bd. Tallow, 18?. 6d. to 245.; opossum skins, 9d. to 25.; cowtails, le. 4,d. to Is. 6d. • SOUTHERN MARKETS. (By Telesraph.—Press Association.) ■' Christchurch, Aupust 6. The local grain market is still at a standstill, as there appears to be no buyers for wheat, and there arc no .oats available except what are held by merchants, and their stocks are light. Oatshcaf chaff is slower of sale at £7 10s.* -i f ? now no demand for straw chaff. Potatoes are rather easier, but there is a little, more inquiry from the North Itad. The quotation is. now £5-ss. and. £5 10s. .at 'country stations. ; VICTORIAN PRODIJOE 'MARKET.; ■■ . By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright Melbourne, August 6. Wheat, Bs. Id. Flour, £17. Oats, 4s. 9d.; Chili. 4s. 3d.; Japanese, 9d. to 4s. Maize, 4s. 6d. Bran, £10 ss. ■- Pollard, £11 fo. Potatoes, £7 18s.'to £8. ' Onions, £7 55,. to £7 15s. ; BANK OF ENGLAND RETURN: (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.-Copjright.) " London, August 5., The Bank o£ England -return issued for 'the week, ended' Wednesday, August is as follows:— Issue Department. Koto Issue £79,657,000 . Gov. debt ... i 11,015,000 - Other securities 434,000. ; • ' Gold 61,403,C00 £70,657,000 ' ' ' £79,657,000 ( BAKEING'DBPAiiTaiENT. ' ' '/ ' , ProDrietors' Gov. sccuri* .■ m . ■■ capital iW,553,000 • tics £40,874,000 Public'do-' - ! Othersecun- . : ' ; posits 147,059,0001 ties ••• 155,205,000 : °pobHs 0 ' ... ' 84,231,000;': Notes...: ..• 46,171;000 Best, 7-day / , • j ■ and other ' bills ... -'3,492,000 Coin 1,015.000. £249,325,000 .f £249,325,000 ' Tho loading items of tho Bank of England return afford the following compari■eon' ' This week. Last week Last year. Bullion'... 61,208.000 ' 59.941,000 26.011,000 -Rmerro "• 47.186,000 45.825,000 9,f67,000 Noto Circulation 33.456.000 33,531,000 ' 36,105,000 Public Deposits 147,059,000 177.636,00) 11,499.000 Other Doposits 54.i21.00Q 95,540,000 56,749.000. Proportion of . : reßorvo to < ... liabilities 22.40 •. -14.60 '14.60 ■ . GOVEMMENT.SECUKITIES.'v The following are the latest quotations for Colonial Government securities in comparison with those ruling last week:— ' Variation' compared' block . Pl . ice . witli . 1 last week. : ! £ s. d. ES% Imperial Consols 66 3 4 3/4 higher 4 ,N.5.W.1933Jan.-July 05 2 6 Unchanged 34 N.5.\V.1930-50Mr.-Sp 94 0 0 32/6 lower . 3* nN.S.W. Early Curr 83 7 6 2/6 higher 3* N.H.W.1925 Apl.-Oct 73 0 0 5s lower 4 Vic. 1920 Jan.-July 95 2 6 Unchanged 34 „Vic. 1921-6 Jan.-July 91 7 6 -Unchanged 3 Vic. 1929-49 Jan.-July 76 0 0 Unchanged 34 „S,A. 1916 Jan.-July. U5. 5 0 Unchanged 3 S.A. 1016 Jan.-July 70 0 0 Unchanged <t QTdl9ls-24Jan.-July .95 0 0 Unchanged si QTdl922-47Jan.-July 91 7 6 Unchanged 3 „Q'l'ai923.«Jan.-July 71 12 6 2/6 higher i „N,Z. 1929 May-Nov. 05 0 0 Unchnngsd 34 ~N.Z. 1912-dOJan.iJuly 83 ' C 0 Unchanged 3 „N,Z. 1920 April-Oct.-... 76 0. 0 2/6 lowoi* 35 „\V.A.1015-35 May-Nov £7 10 0 Unchanged B „W.A,1915-35iIay-Nov 82 2 6 Unchanged 84 „Tas.. ]020 Jan.-July 85 15 0 UnciangQd--3 „'Jas.l92o-40 Jan.-July 76; 1 3 Unchanged MONET MAEKET. The Bank of England j discount rat« was on January 2, 1914, reduced from 5 to 4J per cent., on January 22 it ivas reduced to 5 per ccnt., and on January 28 3 per cont. On July 30 the rate was raised to : 4 per cent, and on January 28 3 per cent., and on August 1 it was further advanced to 10 per cent. On August 6 tho rate was reduced to 6 per cent., on August 7 It was further roduced to 5 per cent., at which rate It now stands. ■ Tho Bonk of Prance rate Is 5 per cont., at against 4 per cent, last year. ' OPEN . MARKET BATES The open market discount Tate for three months' bills is 5 per cent., as compared with. 5j per cent, loet week and — per cent, last year. Short loans are anoted at 4i per cent., as against 4J'per cent, last week, and — per cent, last yeax. COLONIAL AND OTHER PRODUCE. Wheat—The market is quiet, stocks being steadily held owing ito bullish winter, wheat reports from America. Flour.—Market firm,. but quiet. Oats.—Market steady. Bahia-Blanca, July. August shipments, 255. 3d. Beans and Peas—Market steady; prices unchanged. • Butter—Tho market is very firm. Finest is scarce. A feiv Australian brought 1425. to 1445. Qlieese.—The market is quiet, with rather better demand. Sugar.—The market is firm, American granula ted-, spot cash, 295. Bradford Tops.—The market is quiet, with a good tone for merinos and fine crossbreds. The spot quotations are as fol-low:—Sixty-fours, 43d.; 6uper sixties, 42} d.; common sixties, 41d.; fifty-sixes, 35d.; fifties, 30id.; fonty-sixes, 27d.; forties, 25d. METAL MAEKETS." . Capper.—On the spot, £74 to £74 55.; three months, £75 7s. 6d. to £75 12s. fid. Electrolytic, £87 to £88. Tin—On the spot, £154 to £154 15s.;4hrec months, £155 10s. to £156. Lead.—Soft foreign, £23 10s. to £23 12s. 6d. per ton. Silver, 223-Bd. per ounce standard. . Pig-iron.—Middlesbrough, No. 3, 665. sd. per ton-. - Spelter—Spot, £90; forward, £80 per ton,. Never has tho demand for clear-headed constructive thinking in business been so .urgent as it is right now. We are. living in a progressiva age, and must take advantgae-oi all up-to-dmte methods. It is in savings from waste of any description that money is made to-day, and by concentrating one's efforts on all detatl9 of our business we claim to be able to produce results for our many cream suppliers. We want moro cream. Cnn you supply us? Further purticulaw, .5Y.!">6«" guj £reah Fofxl Coj—Adst. - -,