Agricultural. REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2233, 30 October 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

Agricultural. REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN TRADE.

Thr weather of the past v cek has at times been distinctly unfavourable to the crops, and if a permanent cluing? for the better do not speedily take place the harvest w ill unquestionably suffer very material!}'. The frequent heavy rains have not only hindereit the reaping, but have considerably damaged the grain already cut. It seems as though the harvest of 1836 will be noted for the comparative scarcity of choice samples, whilst the yield of wheat, barley, and oats cannot fail to be below the average. There is plenty of grass in the pistuics, and the roots generally are benefiting by the rains. That ihe wheat trade should have displayed greater firmness during the week is certainly not a matter for surprise. The wonder is that the firmness noticed was not more decided. The difficulty experienced in establishing a rise of Is p^r quarter in the value of wheat has clearly become veiy great, and it seems as though it would requite an actual agricultuial disaster to infuse real life into the trade. However, quotations of wheat may be considered Is. per qaarter higher, and the market bs desciibed as firm. It might have been thought that the unsettled weather, the iudi ttVient crop accounts, the curtailment of the foicign importations, and the enhanced [it ices telegraphed from New York, Mould, combined, have broucht about a more distinct a Ivance, and so no doubt they would have done were it not for the continued determination of millers to operate as sparingly as possible. The transactions in consequence have been merely fro:n hand to* mouth, and such being the case, prices could not be much influenced. But the market should certainly speedily become better. The yield of wheat here cannot reach the average, and the aceonnts from the Continent are not such a to suggest a liberal surplus. America will no doubt send us plenty in spite of the deterioration in her harvest, and we may count upon free assistance from India, but Australia has little or nothing to spare. Summed up, it may bo said that although of course we shall have no difficulty in supplying our wants, we shall not have that large foreign quantity to draw upon which we had last year, whilst the stocks held here at the present moment are not up to last year's total. A consideration of the circumstances feuggtsts that the character of the tiade should gradually alter for the better, and that by the end of the year the avetage prices should compare favourably with ISSS. In the flour market there has been increased steadiness. Fair supplies were offering, and with a better demand, prices were well maintained. English qualities may be written 6d., and foreien 6d. to la. dearer. The sales of home-grown wheat in the principal markets of England and Wales during the first 50 weeks of the season were 2,838,749 quarters agai>i3t 2,763,038 quarters at an average price of 30s. 9d. per quarter, against 33a. 2d. per quarter. The sales of barley were 2,822,739 quarters against 2,8.34,503 quarters at an average) price of 275. i)d. against 30s. 9d. per quarter.. The sales of oats were 307,618 against 402,522 quarters, at an average price of 19.i. sd. per quarter, against 20s. 9d. per quarter. Barley has been a firm market, notwithstanding more liberal arrivals and increased supplies on passage, the total being now 119,000 quarters. Values are firm in all positions, buyers generally finding the market against them. Oats have come very freely to hand during the week, but without affecting the piice of sound corn, which has reilised fully late rates. Inferior so;tb ha\ c, however, been rather unsettled. Although no quotable advance has taken pi, ice in maize, the market has been strong iv all positions and occasionally rather more money has been paid. The American visible supply has increased 1,208,000 bushels, but the quantity on passage has d 'ML eased nearly 300,000 bushels daring the v>cek, and Ameiican shipments havo been only model ale. Beans and peas have b'^eu firm thioutjhout, tho latter iicquently making a rise of Is. per quarter. At Mark- lane quite an average business has been done. The market has toll the effects of the unsettled weather, and the tinner piicos from New York. All descriptions of wheat whether hotnegiuwn, colonial, Indian, xlmerican, or ionign may be wiittcn Is. per quarter dearer, the niaiket closing at it& bost point. Flora advanced 6tl. to Is. Barley was strong in spite of larger supplies, and full pucea were paid for grain in all positions. Azoff tor anival mado 16^. The supply of oats has been unusually large. Fine samples have continued to command full pi ices, but interior were dull and at times weak Maize has retained its fiimnc^s, and has frequently made somewhat more money, both on spot and forward. Danubian to arrive 20a. 9d., Galatz 21s. (id. Beans and peas have becu firm, the latter making a rise of Is. per (jr. At Liverpool during the week the market has been distinctly firm. On Tuesday an advance of 2d. per cental was made in the value of wheat, and on Friday a further rise of 2d. was tried for, but millers resisting, the gain was only Id., making 3d. per cental for the week. Flour was. Ud. to h. dearer. Oats and

maize realised extreme quotations, the tendency in each case being agauist the buyer, and the market generally was strong. The other leading provincial and the Scotcli und Irisb markets have l>een steady for wheat. An advance of 6d. and occasionally Is. per quarter has taken place, and the beat prices have been maintained up to the finish. Flour was firm, and Gil. to Is. higher. Barley was strong in value, with a fair inquiry. Oats and maize tended against the buyer, with a fair business doing. Beans and peas were firm, and quite as dear. — The Magnet, August '28