OATS GROWN IN SAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 25

OATS GROWN IN SAND

slightly over eight per cent, in excess of last season’s figures to the same date. Apart from this, throughout the season prices on the world’s markets have been considerably better than those ruling last season, and advance payments made by dairy companies practically without exception have been well ahead of those made at the corresponding periods of last year. Today, with the peak arrivals from this country reaching London, reports state that the market Is firm and registering a rising tendency. Certainly it would not be wise to predict high prices at this late hour, but there is

surplus of this class of stock, as far as this season is concerned, has already been sent forward to the works. Ewe and wether mutton, while not commanding record prices, has at least been able to find a profitable market. Beef has been in a similar position, with values in advance of those ruling last year and the high prices of hides operating in the seller’s favour. This market has also favoured the dairyman, who has been able to dispose of his cull cows to considerably greater advantage. Thus, with the overseas markets for wool, meat, butter, cheese, and hides registering a healthy tone, and no in-

dication of a decline in the near future, it surely cannot be contended that the farmers’ position is an unsatisfactory one. No. Viewed in the aggregate, it must be admitted that the man who started the season with a reasonable hope of showing a profit, should find when he comes to strike a balance at the end- of the year that his hopes have been realised. The drought may have made temporary inroads into the returns of the dairymen, but even the dry spell will have a good effect on the country in the end, and the land, cleaned up and sweetened, will be in better heart for the next season.