MELBOURNE WOOL SALES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2403, 3 December 1887, Page 2 (Supplement)

MELBOURNE WOOL SALES.

Goi.Dsr.ROL'un’s Monthly Woor, Report, November Kith Wool.— Since tbe issue uf our la-t summary on the 17Ui ultimo auction sales have been held daily, while tlm catalogues submitted by the leading brokers have, by gradual stops, now assumed the importance they usually bear when file, season is at its height. Tho offerings for the month amount to 07,! M!) bales, and the sales In ,53,(530 halos, making a t-"tal of 57,3d7 bales catalogued and 11-3.413 bales sold since Hits coimnenei:ment of the -mason on tlie sth October. Although wo cannot report any material improvement in values, tires bidding Inns become more general, and the demand steadier, 111 is imparting a briskness of lone to tho market which was decidedly wanting at at the start. Tlie home buyers, however, still maintain the lead, so far as regards the quantity tak" n, all de.-ciiptiins being keenly competed for by them up to a certain point ; nevertheless, a fair proportion of pieces, certain varieties of crossbred, and most of tbe lino Merinos havei eeu taken by the continental section of the trade, who. while exercising extreme caution in their purchases, allow no lots to escape their notice. As usual, when the American demand is nut entirely dormant, many of the choicest selections have bean secured for the States. As to the course of prices, good quality, light-conditioned, well-pre-pared clips may be said to sell almost on a par with last year’s rates, tho bulk of Wools, which includes tho major part of the Riverine and Victorian production, about Id. to ILI, per 11). lower, while o irtldy. burry, and waste descriptions, from the northern and far western areas, though not qzilc so low as they were two seasons ago, arc sufficiently depressed to cause anxiety to grmvcis in those districts. The chief causes of this decline in values are, without doubt, tho anticipated increase in production mi the one hand, and the unsatisfactory state of the woollen industry, more especially nu tho Continent on the oilier. Now, as regards the production of the raw material, the increase in our exports, so far, does not lead us to expect a surplus .sufficiently large to seriously interfere with the law of supply anddemaiid, for wc nni.-t bear m mind that in a matter of supply the yield of other wool-producing countries than Australasia claims attention. Passing over Europe and North America, where tho flocks, if not absolutely decreasing remain stationary, wo naturally turn to the groat pastoral stales of La Plata. There wo find that, owing to a very trying seas-m, the (locks have suffered a serious diminution, and tlie yield uf wool, in consequence is expected to be below last year’s total. Various estimates of the loss have reached ns, but it is much ton early to accept any given figure as being oven a near estimate. Nevertheless, it is well-known that a great mortality in stock has taken place in some of the Argentine States ; and from what is known of tho system of management pertaining there, it can well be imagined what the effects of a severe storm would be on sheep of enfeebled constitution which had undergone tho ordeal of a lung drought. Indeed, it is within tho bounds of probability that tho decrease in the South American production will equal the Australian increase, and should such prove to bo the case, an improvement in trade is all that is required to put tho wool industry in a more favourable condition. At the same time, it is impossible to say when tins change is likely to occur; therefore, the grower should seriously consider tho prudence of refusing a fair price for his produce when offered iu this market. Monthly Grain Report.—Since tbe date of onr last monthly report our crops have made considerable progress towards maturity, and the prospects of a heavy Wheat yield, both here' and in Smith Australia, arc now almost assured. The weather during tho month has been rather unchangeable, and, though tending to check the rapid maturity of the Grain, it will prove beneficial in tilling out tho heads, and thereby increase the weights of tho plant, —ln tho early districts the wheat is all out in car, and though we hear of instances where rust lias done some damage, as a whole the crops look very promising, and there appears to be every prospect, if the weather kreps seasonable, that onr wheat harvest will greatly exceed that of last year. Thoquc-timi i f tonnage to carry onr surplus wheat to Europe is now attracting attention, the supply on tlie spot and in sight being very insignificant in proportion to our prospective requirements, while the rate of freight asked is greatly in excess of that ruling last season. With an estimated surplus of upwards uf 40),0)0 tons from South Australia, and 203,00.) tons from this colony to be got, rid of, growers, looking tlie present value of wheat in Great Britain, must be prepared to accept from this colony 3s to 3< '2d, f. a.b., unless in tho interval between this and harvest tho homo markets show .some improvement. Wheat has improved in value within the last ueek fully 21 per bushel, owing to the light stocks in millers’ bauds in town; and although large quantities are still held in growers' possession, tlie condition of tlie roads in tho country, owing to tho late heavy rains, prevents its being sent forward, and our present quotation of 3s lid per bushel can only be looked upon as temporary, and entirely contingent on more favourable weather setting in shortly. Oats are only in moderate trade demand, ruling from 2s. Hd. to 2s. lOd. for light to stout feed descriptions. Baulky.—The market has been cleared of all good malting samples; inferior and medium parcels continue iu good demand at trom 4s. (Id. to ss. (id., according to condition. The late rains arc reported to have injured this cereal considerably, and prices of tbe new crop will likely open high next mont.li. Maize realises .'is. (Id. to 3s. 10.1. ; Peas, 3s. 3d ; and Bran, 7d. per bushel. Worms in Cattle.—lt is said that the simplest remedy for worms in cattle, sheep and hogs is turpentine mixed with a little feed, or given in linseed oil or gruel ; two ounces for a env and one-forth or less for smaller animals. The Power of Truth. —Truth makes a coward bold, while there is no cowardice so great as that found in the want of it. Selfrespect and moral dignity go by tho board when we condescend to lie, either spoken or acted, either by suggestion of the false or suppression of the troth. Whatever it may lie that wc are called on to testify or acknowledge we should stand to openly and with' ut wincing. In the time of King Edward I. the price of a Bible was £37 sterling. A labouring man than received for his work a penny and a half a day, from which it may easily he reckoned that a labouring man could not have purchased a Bible at that time without having the savings of mnv» than eighteen years. It is quite within tho limits, thou, to say that to tho man who receives four shillings a day for his work, the Bible costs twenty two thousand times less than it did in the days of Edward I. Scorns in Calves.—Scours in calves is always a result of indigestion. In nearly every case over feeding produces this result, Generally tho removal of a cause will remedy the bad effect, tbe blood and inflame tlie digestive organs. But even then nature will heal its own wrong if let alone, merely, that is, to give tho injured organs a rest. Stop all food, unless the young creature has been reduced to a low condition of weakness, when some gentle support and soothing remedy for the inllamcd intestines should he given, Gum water, starch wad 1 boiled, linseed tea, v. itb some sugar dissolved in oither) will be very osetnl, but only small quantities ■ lieuM be given, the .soothing effect upon the bowels is the most iiselnl result, and half a pint at once given every three hem-3 will he suliii ient. Sometimes new milk given warm from the cow, half a pint at a time ami uo more, will relieve the cliarrluoa, and if continued for three or four cays will restore the calf. It is the best way to keep an eye on tho calves mid check as soon as possible any indications of recurs, as it is far better to proven tho hj jury than to restore the calf to iis ureud healthy condition.