GRASS SEED.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 72, 6 March 1908, Page 2

GRASS SEED.

High Prices Probable.

In consequence of the widespread destruction of pasture in the North Island, due to the bush fires, settlers are confronted with the necessity of sowing much larger areas. of grass than was anticipated. It was established early in the season that cocksfoot would reach a high figure, and that fact, in conjunction with the effects of the fires, will render the grassing of the country a more expensive process than would have been the case under ordinary conditions. Sir Joseph Ward, in speaking of State assistance to settlers who had suffered loss, referred to the price of grass seed, and hoped the seed merchant would endeavour to meet the occasion in a liberal spirit and refrain from sending up prices on account of the greatly increased demand.

On being interviewed upon thfe question recently, some of the leading firms of Wellington were inclined to think that in any case prices this season were bound to be higher than usual for the greater varieties of seed.

Mr A. H. Miles, resident partner of Messrs Murray Roberts and Co., said the whole range of rye was very dear indeed, and in the case of cocksfoot they had paid as much as yd per Hi for it already. With regard to regulating the price, he was at a loss as to how itcouldbedone. Thegreaterthe demand the greater the price, and if the merchants had to pay the increased price they must ask a proportionate increase from their customers.

Mr Barkas, manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, said that they could not get good rye grass seed last week under 5s to 5s 6d per bushel, the price in ordinary seasons being from js to 3s 6d per bushel. They had fair crops in Canterbury and Southland, bat not enough to supply the demand, and so the price had advanced. Imirsnmplcs from Southland were qimkd last week at as 6d per bushel, but much better Poverty Ray rye was bringing from 7s to /S (\\ per bushel.

The cocksfoot had been harvested

ar.d live estimate \v.:s that the crop was about 15.0 >.) sack's short of the average, atiribulable. of course, to the drought experienced in the south, and this had come upon a shortage last year. 'The sample was good and bright,but the price quoted was sevenpence halfpenny ]H r ii>. which mean! eight jvnee to elk ne a hipm r pric. than lie heal ever for >\\ nil in be in hi:-, experience in New Zealand. The high piaces ruling a! i lome were the result (''( bad ci'op- in France and vlernanv. and lis.' wet seasons in Kngland and li\!aud had shortened the rye cp .p~. hhm.li di red cbva\ 100, was \a rv iiia.h. lat\ in ■; b. an i eceiiliv quoted a! fr, >m S5- mOO . ,r, i.■ aidon the highe-t price known ;'<>r years.

Kcspcctina any inliueuce the merchants ma\ have <>n the pi ice r-\ grass seed. Mr i'ar'.a- said limy were imi bedding ;;nv, aiid h..d been buying from hand l< 1m- ana. as il \\<s;c. The demand ok'ca dmied by the extensive fire-, would, iii Ihe natural order of things, send ihe prices up higher.

The siilin;:' "i iltv Maniapolo-Tu-vvltaivloa i'\;.!< n i f...n>(l Hoard, which o)!ii!iK'iu\-ii kiM wa'l; at IT Kuili, concluded mi Thursday morning. 'J"he m'Uin;:' w.i-- an cxuvnvly busy one. dealing v>'i[!i a iar.ac numk rof j inii'or ami Ha\ ica^is and »*iiil>r.!«*s 11 lai';;v areas <>t i.iiu!. Ihe an case t>| lit.- ITk:Lc. dc.d; \,Th i .iak ;T nil si\( v 111. • i:r• t• ee;\ .. ;Taee ihc in-stiluli-»n of the !•:. -an!, aboul I hi\ c w::a: it ;e- ;' a ia!cd thai the ai cas of tiv i '•••!■- >! --.lt wilh, exclusive < ji" Idu iiHii.v.. amount to about lo;\o;io acre,; . ai:!iv.