COMMERCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2284, 1 September 1908, Page 1

COMMERCIAL.

-STOCK

The local sheepmavket shows an upward tendency, and a good demand has already set in for owes with early lambs. The spring lias been very mild, there is plenty of feed, and tho l imbs are all looking and doing well. The mortality among ewes has been unusually small, and farmers are generally satisfied with the season’s lambing. One farmer expressed tile opinion that taking tho district as a whole, the percentage of lambs would he well over 90, and considering tho many drawbacks that had to ho contended with, the snow and the heavy storms of a month ago, that result was gratifying. The same condition of things is reported from otlior centres.

The “Evening Post” states that the outlook for shoepfariners, dairymen and agriculturists in the Wairarapa is'decidedly bright so far as the -ffo’peful signs that a good deal of last season’s losses, consequent on low prices, will be recuperated. The prico of fat sheep at present is rather low for this season of tho year, tho usual winter increase of .about two t 0 three shillings not having eventuated. Fat wethers at present aro selling as low as 15s. Buyers are lifting very little fat stock even at this price. There was very little fat stock in the Matawhero sale last week, and wethers wore almost unobtainable. Most of the farmers are holding back for the freezing season to open, as it is anticipated there will be a firmer Homo market for mutton and limbs. At the present time the farmers in Wellington province arc being paid up to 3ld per pound for wethers weighing 501 b and under, and 3d per pound for sheep above that weight. For ewes the current value is 2J. The farmer is getting from 15s 6d to 16s lOd for wethers, which is not bad, considering that his mutton is quoted on the Smithfield market at from 3Jd to 3§d. GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

A 'strong '-demand is reported for seed oats as the weather has been all that farmers could desire for working the land and sowing; more than one good sized paddock has been sown down. Oaten chaff meets with a good price for summer and autumn food, and oat crops aro always found profitable investments. The advantage of sowing oats is that the grain will grow almost anywhere, though in poor soils it is advisable to manure lightly with basic slag or guano and lime. Oats are not so liable to fungus growths as wheat, and the Algerian variety is largely in demand in Poverty Bay. Potatoes for early cropping are also being put in, and there is a good demand for seed of all varieties as the heavy frosts are now over. Early Rose and Up-to-Dates are generally favored for spring planting. Large consignments of seed have been landed from Tasmania at Auckland and Wellington, and the shipments have met ready buyers. Potatoes need very little tending except occasional spraving with Bordeaux mixture ms a check against blight, and farmers who had successful plantings last year made good profits w'ith the tubers at £G to £7 10s a. ton during the past winter. . ..... The onion market is firm in Gisborne though easier in the large centres. Consignments have been landed from Victoria and Japan, the latter being small but of fair quality. As a trial shipment the Japanese onions sold readily, but it is doubtful if the demand will ho sustained. Eggs are getting cheaper and butter is dropping to spring prices. The cows ai'o coming to hand in good condition, and though there lias been a little contagious disease prevalent, farmers arc now educated to look after their stock, and the mortality has been low. Dairying should prove profitable this summer, and the Te Arai settlers who invested in cows when the estate was cut up, are liopofui of a good year. The following are the wholesale merchants’ prices for produce at Gisborne: — Flour, sacks, £ll 10s; bags £ll 17s Gd. Chaff .£7 per ton. Oats Bs 2d per bushel. Fowl wheat os 2d per bushel. Potatoes £G 15s to £7 a ton for best quality. Butter Is to Is Id; eggs 9d; cheese G£d to Bd.; bacon 9d; ham lOd; Inn ney 4sd,