MELBOURNE.

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 35, 20 August 1864, Page 2

MELBOURNE.

The Argus d the 11th inst. reports as follows : — "The arrival of the branch mail steamer at Adelaide during the night caused an almoa

entire susp^sion of business to-day. Private telegrams as 10 flour and tobacco, especially with reference to the reported imposition of an export duty on the latter article by the United States (3-overnment, were anxiously looked for ; but, so far as we could ascertain, none were received. The absence of private information has led some of the largest holders to think that there is some mistake in the Californian news, and little would be done" in tobacco until the letters by the mail are delivered. There were, however, a few speculative sales made, though not of large lots, > at the advice established on the preceding day, or say from 2b. 9d. to 3s. for Western twist. It may be stated, as various rumors have been afloat that the Agincourt, from New York, brings no flour, and only a little over 500 cases, packages, &c, of tobacco. The flour market has been Btill further depressed by the arrival of the ship Alice Thorndyke at the Heads from Valparaiso, with a cargo of over 1100 tons of breadstuffs. This cargo, we believe, is not consigned to any firm, but it is in charge of a supercargo. The steamship Albion has also reported the arrival of a large schooner — : the A. J. Ramos — at Dunedin, from Valparaiso, with flour, on the 3rd inst. The markot has been still further perplexed by the I news telegraphed from Sydney of the arrival of the Royal Albert there from London, with nearly 16,000 bushels of wheat. No notice of this shipment appears in the circular of Messrs. Stables, Straker and Co." The agricultural produce market has been very quiet during the past week. In flour there has been no business doing. The arrivals here, and the large shipments which continue to arrive in Sydney, have completely unsettled the market, and no reliable quotation can now be given. The only sales which have taken place have been of small lots to the trade for immediate consumption, and for these about the following prices have been realised :— Tasmanian, £21 to £23 ; Chilian, £22 ; and Adelaide at from £23 to £25. Victorian town made is still, however, quoted nominally at £25 per ton. Wheat is offering at 10s. per bushel, but there are no sales to report. Colonial oats have met with no very brisk inquiry ; prices remain at from 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d. per bushel. One parcel of 5000 bushels was placed at 3s. 9d. Californian are quoted at 45., but there is nothing doing. Feeding barley has been selling at from 4s. 3d. to 4s. 6d., and' malting at ss. Maize is firm at 4s. 6d., and bran at Is. 7d. per bushel. We have but little news from the agricu^ural districts, but we learn that large quantities of oats have been put in this year, whilst to all appearances there will be a great falling off in wheat. The young crops are generally looking very healthy. It is said that the aphis has commenced to make its appearance in the crops on the Murrurnbidgee, particularly amongst the wheat. The Express states that " numbers of growers are unfortunately complaining with cause, but it is yet to be hoped that the scourge may be stayed. In the vines, pruning i 3 now about completed, and the vineyards present their usual miserable appearance' at this period. In general field and garden produce, the reports are on the whole encouraging, and lead to the hope of excellent returns . An extended cultivation of tobacco is spoken of, and, wo think, most sensibly so." In Now England the weather has been dry, and very favorable for fanning operations. Some sharp frosts have also been experienced, but they do not appear to havo done much harm. Some of the farmers who havo sown pinched grain express their intention of resowing with better seed, from the rusty wheat coming up unsatisfactorily. — Age, 12th August.