THE GRAIN CROPS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 116, 2 February 1918, Page 12

THE GRAIN CROPS

REVIEW OF POSITION IN THE SOUTH. By Tcloeraph—Press Association. Christchuroh, February 1, The heavy rain that fell on Thursday morning was experienced more on the coast than towards the hills, but where any quantity fell it has stopped thrashing out of stook for a few days. Several lines of wheat have now changed hands. Samples that have been shown are good, 'but slightly off colour. _ A line of Zandilla King, an Australian variety, is fairly plump and hard and dry, and is fit for immediate milling with a proportion of imported wheat. This crop averaged 18 bushels per acre, though the grower expected it to go 20 bushels. Another line of Pearl and Hunter's averaged 30 bushels per acre. There are plenty of Algerian oats still offering, and they are selling up to 3s. at country stations, but Gartons are still scarce and in good demand. Oatsheaf chaff is selling at £4 for prime, bright, quality. It is expected that there will be a good demand this year from Auckland.for oatsheaf chaff, as, owing to the wet winter and spring there, few oats were grown in that province. It is anticipated, however, shipping will be more difficult than last year. Local storage for such produce as chaff is also likely to be short owing to space being occupied by wool, and probably there will be. more room required for grain. There are a few growers offering to sell potatoes, but not much business has yet been done. For early delivery £i ss. is offered. The onion market is easier in view of the larger quantity now ready. For delivery next week £5 is offered, and £4 10s. for later delivery. Ryegrass is _ still offering freely and bringing various prices according to quality. Small lots of cocksfoot grown on the plains is coming forward and selling at lOd. to Is. per lb., the latter price being given for heavy seed.