MELBOURNE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

West Coast Times, Issue 73, 21 November 1865, Page 2

MELBOURNE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

(from the Melbourne " Loader," Nov. 3.)

In tho market for brendstuffs during tlio pa^t week the greatest excitement has prevailed. South Australian flour, which was selling at L 24 103 to L 2's per ton, has advanced to from L2B to L'2B tOa per'ton, with the prospect (unleSs large foreign supplies are speedily received) of a still greater rise and proportionate excitement. A corresponding advance has .occurred in Ihe prico of wheat ; for Chilian lls '3d to 11s Cd per bushol has been obtained, South Australian, being sold at the same figuro ; Oats have also improved in vnlue, prices Iftiving'advanced from 4s 9d to 5s Qd per bushel, at which figure largo sales havo been effocteA In maize very largo transactions have taken p?a3e, at prices rapidly advancing from 4s 4d to Gs por bushel ; there are now. however, no (toilers under 6s 3d per bushel. Malt has beon in less active demand, prices remaining unchanged at 9s Cd to 9s 'Od 'for 'bins, and 10s per bushel for trade parcels Adelaide bran has become scarce, and 2s per bushel is now required. Melbourne bran is sold at Is lOd per bushel; pollard brings from 5s to &jperl>uf>hel. The price of colonial oatmeal, owing to the rise in oat?, has advanced to L2B per ton ; pearl barley brings L2C. We quote for South 'Australian flour, L 27 10a to L2B per ton ; Chilian, L 25 per ton-; Melbourne mill flour, L2B per ton. The long continuance of dry woathor has begun to 'tell 'in 'almost every district of tho country, and tho reports from all sides are calculated to causo serious apprehension. As yet, however, we may hope that the alarm is nVuch greater than the actual faot3 will justify in the end. Whero rain has rather recently fallen tho crops continue to present a healthy and luxuriant appearance ; and even where the drought has beon most prolonged circumstances are by no means desperate. In some localities we observe that there is a remarkable difference of opinion as to tlio actual stato of affairs. The Talbot Leader observes that^" So many conflicting opinions being expressed of late as to the condition 'of the crops in this neighborhood, a gentleman residing in Talbot devoted last Monday and Tuesday to a co c examination of the farms from Lexton down to the eastern base of Mount' Beck worth, and his report to us is most reassuring. Using his own language, the crops at the Springs and Mount Ueckworth are a * perfect feast to tho eyes, the wheat in particular growing with unparalled luxuriance for this portion of the colony.' While, however, the fanners at the Springs and Mount Beckwortb see before them a fino harvest this year, the same class at M'Callum's Creek and in the immediate 'neighborhood of Tulbot Report their crops to be tho reverse of satisfactory. It seems strange thiit such *a marked difference should bo observable in two spots, separated by only a-'fow miles of well-timberecl country'; but, nevertheless, where tho ono is jubilant over its prospects, ihe other is correapondingly depressed. It is evident that the humidity of the Springs and Mount Beckworth districts, both being intersected with innumerable springs, moro than compensates for the absence of ram, which is co severely 'felt in "the heiigliborliOod'of 'this town." Ballarat stands pretty fairly, sq far n8 we can ascorlain from the reports of the local journals. The wheat crops about Smeaton plains, as wo learn from a contemporary, are in general looking well, but the oats are showing the effect of tbe drought In most of the wheat crops about Smeaton the grain is already formed, and will be out in ear within a fortnight if the warm weather continues. At Coghill's Creek most of tho wheat crops look very well, but somo of the early oats appear frost bitten, and in many instances tho frost on Sunday night has injured the potatoes. Gipps Land appears to have suffered comparatively little prejudice as yet. "It is with a sense of pleasure (says the " Guardian") that we are able to record the healthy state tho orops are presenting in the agricultural portions of the district. Wo understand that not only is the yield from old ground likely to bo in great oxcess of past years, but that a very large quantity of new land has been ' brought under culture, while more is being prepared for tho planting of potatoes, a commodity which at the present time is exceedingly scarce." It is feared that in most parts of the Geelong district the oat crop will be exceedingly light. Indeed, the long drought, except about the neighborhood of which Colao may bo called the centre, has generally affected this cereal to a serious extent, and we may look without doubt for hay to realise a high price during the forthcoming season. Yet the vineyards nnd orchards round about town, now clothed in their spring suit of green, prosont a healthy and picturesque appearance. There is every probability of the crop of fruit being a good one. The g> eat cry is for fain, and should this come within a short time, fruit will . bo abundant. The cherry trees in many of the gardens aio loaded with fruit.