POTATOES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1981, 30 June 1880, Page 3

POTATOES.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE FEESB.

Sib, —Having been accustomed to place some confidence in the reports furnished by the Corn Exchange, I was much surprised to find in the last report, under the heading potatoes, “ prices have somewhat receded.” Can it be that the writer of this report was not aware of the considerable advance in price in Australia —in Sydney especially, or is the Corn Exchange unable to furnish the farmer with the best information as to outside markets ? The Exchange is ostensibly a farmers’ concern, but if the management fail to furnish correct and valuable information to its supporters, especially *at times like the present, when prices are low and demand slack, what can be the use of the institution ? Surely the Exchange can afford to employ agents at outside ports such as Melbourne and Sydney, who would cable the latest prices of produce in time to appear in the weekly report, and so, in many cases, prevent the hard earnings of the farmer from being intercepted by the speculator. That merchants were aware of the recent advance is proved by the shipment of over 8000 sacks potatoes per Wakatipu to Sydney on Friday. I may note that your own report gave the state of the market more fairly, viz., “ That potatoes are in somewhat better demand.” As a rise of five shillings per ton will make a considerable difference to many potato growers, I may urge on the committee of the Corn Exchange the necessity of employing agents as above, who could also act for farmers who wished to send their produce to tho Australian or other markets. Farmers will find it to their interest to pay close attention to outside markets, and by carefully pitting and protecting their potatoes from the frost, they will be enabled to take early advantage of the rise in price. Yours, &0., SOLANTJII,