TUESDAY'S PRODUCE REPORT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9344, 19 February 1896, Page 4

TUESDAY'S PRODUCE REPORT.

(BY OUR COMMERCIAL EDITOR.)

The campaign may be said to have fairly opened on Saturday in respect to the beginning of the 1896 harvest, and a fairly large number of farmers were in town with samples of wheat, oats, barley, peas and chaff. Easiness resulted in most cases, we imagine, to the entire satisfaction of the sellers, as the prices (more especially as regards wheat) were higher than the corresponding values of outside markets. In the light of to-day, we think we are safe in advising farmers to avail themselves of the present level of prices ruling for Wheat, as the position is decidedly in their favour. The necessities of local millers, the advent on the scene of Australian merchants and of one or two Northern millers, and the general enquiry from Australia for quotations have all been strong factors in inflating prices. But the qnestion of outlets will shortly have to be considered, and with the English market olosed, and Australian ideas of importing prices below the level of onr current rates, it seems more than probable that a reaction will set in very soon.

'In regard to Oats, we think growers will probably find it advantageous to bold on for a time and mark the course of events. Present prices are low and the market is dragging, simply because our outlets to Australia are for the time being closed.. As the winter approaches, however, we think oar locally-grown oats may improve somewhat in value, espeoially as the crop has been to materially curtailed by the nor'-westers.

Barley-—The general ran of samples are far from satisfactory from a maltster's point of view, the grain being thin and badly broken and skinned in most cases.' Exceptional lots are seen here and there, and for such good prices have been obtained. Holders of inferior to medium grades, however, find great difficulty in placing.

P_AS and Scans are hardly fairly in the market yet. Tbe former are in demand, especially Prussia- blues ; but for beans no present outlet is perceptible.

Ryegrass is offering more freely, bat buyers are not operating very actively, as demand from the North this year is exceptionally slack.

Cocksfoot.—The enquiries for prompt shipment for steamers arriving in London in time to catch the spring demand are now practically finished, and tbe market is easier in consequence. For clean heavy" samples of I3_lb and 141b weight 3_d has been given, and for I2_lb to 131b from 3d to 3£d. Bayers now are less eager, and values may be said to have settled down ab from 3d to 3£<L

Oa_3H_af Chaff —There is a good deal offering, and there are only a few buyers. Growers have been trying for 50s at country stations, but lately buyers seem disinclineto go beyond 45s to 47s 61. Sheaves are fetching from 35s to 37s 6d. It is difficult to give an estimate at present of the value if chaff cnt from -heave* much shaken by the mind. At present ths demand is entirely for good heavy staff not shaken, and light lot* haas fire, We eaote th* foitawixu.