GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10759, 12 September 1900, Page 6

GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS.

(UT OXTR COIIMERCIAI. EDITOB.) Tuesday Evening. It Is reported that while the quality of this year's crop of English wheat is good, the total yield is only a moderate one. An average of about 29 bushels per acre on an area of close upon 2,000,0000 acres was looked for towards the end of July, making a total of about 58,000,000 bushels. Last year the English wheat crop was 67,200,000 bushels, and in 1898 it was 74,885,000 bu.hek In regard to the American crop advices of July 27th stated that the wheat harvesting and threshing were interrupted by rains, but indications supported an estimate of fully 550.000,000 bushels, with Pacific States included.

The Gothic sailed from Lyttelton for London on Monday, carrying among other cargo 13.677 sacks of wheat, and leaving about 6000 bushels on the wharf. Some dissatisfaction "has been expressed by shippers at the amount of cargo shut out, and it is expected that the Star of New Zealand will not be able to take ail the grain that has been booked for shipment by her. The Karamea will take the wheat that could not be put on board the Gothic. It is stated tbat the whole of the space in the Karamea is booked, and, after going South for cargo, she will return and complete her loading at Lyttelton, but it is not yet definitely known what quantity of grain she can take. During the past few days a fairly large quantity of wheat has changed hands for shipment by the direct steamers, sales having been effected on the basis of quotations. A number of growers are also shipping on their own account.

J"be oats market is very quiet, and holders being firm in their ideas of value are asking rather more than merchants are inclined to give, so that most of the few purchases that are being made are for immediate requirements. The Southland market is reported as dull, and with the spring threshing in view it is not expected that the present price of ls 6d at country stations, sacks extra, will long be maintained. The Bluff stores have been relieved to the extent of over 40,000 sacks, which were taken by the Whangape for Melbourne, presumably for transhipment to the East.

Small shipments of barley are taking place by the direct steamers, and a quantity of cocksfoot has lately changed hands for the same purpose, but at a comparatively low figure.

I The following are current prices paid to farmers, f.o.b. Lyttelton, for direct shipment from country stations and free of commission, except where otherwise specified: — Wheat.—Hunter's, pearl and velvet, 2s 5d to 2s 54d, and Tuscan 2s 6d to 2s 7d. Oats—Canadian Is 9d to Is lOd. short feed ls 9d to Ls 9£d, Duns ls 8d to ls B_d, and Danish ls 7d to ls Bd. Barley (nominal) —Prime malting 2s to 2s 3d delivered. Beans—2s 4d to 2s sd. Peas—Prussian blues 2s to 2s 3d, partridge 2s to 2s 3d. Flour (millers' quotations nominal) — Roller £7. stone, £6. Sharps—£4. Bran—£3 10s. Oatmeal—£lo. Potatoes—Derwents, September delivery, 18s to 20s, at country stations. Oatsheaf Chaff*Mss at near country stations. Hay—£3 5s to £3 10s, dehvered; primest b 3 .led, £4, f.o.b. Grass Seed—Ryegrass, farmers' lots Is 9d to 2s, prime heavy, town-dressed, 2s 6d to 3s 3d, cocksfoot 2Ad to 2?d for bright seed j to 3d for *Ttra p-ood. town machine-drer= c "_""*. 161b to 171b seed, 3-d to 4d, cow grass to 6d, extra choice 6_d, white clover 6d to i 7.d.

Dairy Produce—Cheese, factory, 5d to 6d. dairy 5d to sid : butter, factory, local lld, dairy 8d to 9d. salt (in boxes) 6d to 7d; bacon and hnms. 54d to 6d; factory bacon and hams _d higher.