BRITISH WHEAT PRICES IN 1883.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1694, 24 May 1884, Page 2

BRITISH WHEAT PRICES IN 1883.

There has been very little fluctuation in the prieo of wheat in 1883; Throughout the year prices have been low, and are far down at the present moment. The annual diagram of Mr H. Allnut, of the " Estates Gazette," London, has come to hand, showing the variations in wheat prices duriug the year lately closed. A few notes appended to the sketch and statistics indicate that the year has been remarkable for the absence of high prices. Before proceeding with the figures and comments thereon, it should be mentioned that the averages have been influenced considerably by the London prices, and are therefore somewhat over the Scotch money receipts. The highest average during 1883 was 43a lOd per qr., on the 18th August:; and the lowest was 39s on the 20th December. We need hardly add that this is the London average, because the Scotch has been at least 7s per qr. less for some weeks' Matters have evidently got worse sinco the New Year. The average in Edinburgh market is not now over 32s per qr., and only that figure could have been obtained, in Arbroath last Saturday for a beautiful sample of pedigree white wheat. The' price was not accepted, and the owner writes us that ho has to grind the grain for stock feeding. When that is all that a fine bright sample, with pedigree at its back, will command in the open market, it is surely a dark day for wheat growers. The range of prices in London last year was only 4s lOd per qr. In 1882 it was much greater, reaching then 12s Id per qr. In both years the maximum was reached, in August. It was 61s 3d in 1882,' being 7s 5d more than last year. The average in London is considerably below that of 1883, being 37s 3d. Asjegards annual average, the lowest point was reached during the present century in 1851, when the figures were 7d. In 1835 it was 39s 4d, and in 1864.40s 3d per qr. The highest annual averago for the last twenty.fjvo years, which, it will be observed, does not include the Crimean war prices, was 64s 5d per quarter in 1867, and the lowest 40s 3d in 1864. Next to -the latter comes 1883 with only.4ls 7d. Generally wheat has been at its highest in August and the summer months/ and lowest in December, January, and the early spring months, If it were not for the straw, wheat has really ceased to be worth growing in this highlyrented, costly-manured country, Never have prices been so low in Scotland as they are now. Those who have stock, however, to fatten will use.it in that way rather than accept of the miserable price of 30s per qr. But everyone has not cattle, and cannot procure them j they have then no. alternative but sell, and what a miserable money return per acre! But for the value, of Btraw for thatcli and litter, it looks as if the British wheat grower was tobe starved ; out altogether. This year's average price has every appearance of being the poorest on record. - . ;