SOUTHERN MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 10

SOUTHERN MARKETS

By Tel^Eranh—Press Association. Christchurch, June 20. The remarkably, line and mild weather -/experienced during the month of June KijaiJJJieen of great benefit to stock owners. particularly, ■ Jiave thriven wone ;dertillly well on the short supply of feed \ because' of there being no rain and very } little frost, I .but warm, sunny days. The ?, firmnOss with which oats have been held a 9 a stand-by in caso of bad weather is now being relaxed, although the two worst months of the year are still to

come. The winter must now' lie a short one. During the. week oats have been offered more freely than during any earlier period of the season. _ Consequently there has been an easing in prices. Oats are reported to bo offering in South Canterbury at 2d. per bushel below the rates lately ruling, and in Ashburton they are also offering in fairly largo quantities, at reduced rates. T.cp prices for A grade Gartons are is. to 4s. _ld;. at country stations, and other varieties 'ire realisihg correspondingly lower rates. Oatsheaf chaff has weakened in. sympathy with gats, there being abundant supplies coming forward, and buyers are now offering from ss. ,to .EG 10s. at country stations, according to the quality of the chaff and the distance of the railage. _ . The outside demand for potatoes is slack at the present time, and buyers are therefore not keen to operate. At the same tinio offerings aro not plentiful', as growers have confidence in the future of the market, because of their belief that the crop will not be morp than sufficient for requirements. Prices at country stations are still' at from .£■") 15s. to ,£6. Although there is very little seed offering from the country, there is a considerable revival in business , in seeds between .merchants. Perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot are most in demana, and there'are inquiries from the south as well as from the north for the former. Red clover is meeting vrith a ready 6alo up to Is. 2d. and Is. 3d, per lb._ for farmers* parcels, and white clover is worth up to Is. , , Onions are a little firmer, and are quoted at <67 ss. at country stations.- .Recent shipments of linseod to Sydney have reduced stocks on hand to' a small compass, and consequently there is renewed inquiry, and it Is reported that purchases have been made from-growers up to ,£2l per ton. Although tho area ill crop was much larger than last year, the yield was not so good, owing to the dry weather.