CROPS PROMISING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26625, 22 November 1947, Page 4

CROPS PROMISING

Good Growing Conditions Conditions have been good in North Otago this week, although there have been odd showers, with some cold winds. Growing conditions on the whole are satisfactory. Wheat.—Merchants’ stocks in store are now being drawn on by poultry feeders, as their own stocks are getting low, and there are no further lines to come forward from the country. New season's crops are making satisfactory growth and promise well. Oats.—This market is very quiet, and, although inquiries are still coming from the North Island, there are no stocks to offer. Local stocks are hardly sufficient for retail requirements. The new ceiling price for the coming harvest of 4s Bd, 0.t., will not have any effect now on the stocks available for next harvest, as sowing has been completed. Barley.—The area being grown on contract would appear to be less than last season, but, had the new prices of 6s and 6s 3d been announced earlier, it is possible that more barley would have been sown. The new season’s crops are making, excellent growth. Potatoes.—Old season’s potatoes are practically exhausted, and the new potatoes have barely commenced to come on the market. Seeds.—There has been a fairly good inquiry for grass seeds and clovers for retail this week, and a fair quantity of the area in rape will be sown down. There has been a very good inquiry for rape and Chou Moellier seed, etc., of late, as sowing conditions have been satisfactory. Wholesale sales of both clovers and grass seeds are difficult to effect, and only the high-testing lines are attracting any attention. It is understood that the area of seeds entered for certification this month with the Department of Agriculture is only about half that entered last season. It is expected that there will be a fair carry-over this season of all small seeds.