GRAIN AND OTHER CROPS

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 121, 7 February 1923, Page 8

GRAIN AND OTHER CROPS

CANTERBURY REPORTS. BY TVIiSCBXPH —PBBSS ASSOCIATION. Christchurch, February 6. Wheat is now commencing to come forward fairly freely. ‘lhe sample so far is good,’ and shows no signs of ill-effects from the- recent burst of bad weather. The yields a’so are good, there being ft number of crops of 40 bushels ami over. It is reported, however, that the wheat coming forward at present missed the very bad burst, an’d probably later samples may not show the same quality. Nevertheless, throughout a very large aiea in mid and north Canterbury little damage has been done. The drying winds of the past week arrested deterioration in the way of sprouting and rust. F'nrinerß have been disinclined to' do business at the prices offering by millers, namely 4s. 6d. per bushel at wayside stslions, but several substantial lots were sold to-day at that figure for Hunters and Tuscan. Inferior grades were a shade lower.

Tiro inquiry for Garton oats from Australia has disappeared, due doubtless to the rainfall over a wide area, of New South Wales. Values have eased as a consequence, and from. 2s 6d. to 2s. Bd. is now the ruling quotation. Duns and Algerians cover a very wide range of quality, and are quoted at 2s. 6d. to 3s. at country stations.

Chaff has made a sharp advance, and for good bright oaten sheaf business has been done with the North Island at £6 10s. per fen f.0.b., B.L, equal to 4s. sd. and up io 4s. lOd. at country stations.

There is some nibbling going on at barley, and the quotations cover a wide range. A lot of poor malting barley is being offered, and naturally this is not in keen demand. Good quality, when offered in decent-sized lines, has been purchased at ss. per bushel at country stations. Small lots of secondary quality have j assed at up to 4s. 6d. The quality of the barley offered so far is not very good, Potatoes are not moving with much freedom, though tha crops in North Canterbury are reported to be clean, rather discouraging reports are coining from South Canterbury and North Otago, a good deal of blight being reported. Quotations for April-May delivery are up to £3 os. per ton at country stations. Perennial and Italian ryegrass are very firm, being worth from 4s. bd. to 4s. 9d. to farmers. Any business in regard to cocksfoot,' which is very firm, is confined to last year’s seed, and business between merchants has taken placed at 9d. per lb. for machine dressed, equal to' Md. to 6d. to farmers. Partridge peas are quoted at ts. PO> buslwl at way side stations. Linseevl is quoted nominally at ±J4 per ton.