PROSPECT'S IN AUCKLAND.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 3647, 2 December 1918, Page 4

PROSPECT'S IN AUCKLAND.

GOOD CROPS ANTICIPATED

(From the New Zealand Herald.) ' Optimistic opinions regarding the prospects of the produce market during the coming season are held by some of the local produce merchants.* Tho representative of a prominent] produce auctioneering firm stated yes-1 terday that excellent crops of all' kinds of farm produce were expected,* the oat crops throughout the Auckland district looking particularly well. He predicted a considerable drop in the price of chaff and oats as soon as tho crops now growing were placed on the market, provided that favourablo weather was experienced for harvesting operations. A greater quantity of Algerian seed oats had been sown in tho Auckland district this season than had been the case for several years, and the reports from all localities regarding tho oat crops were extremely good. He had just completed a tour of the country districts, and had been greatly impressed with tho crops ho had seen, many of which wore now well forward. If the harvest results fulfilled present expectations he was of opinion that the farmers would do well, even if they had to market their chaff at half the price now realised for chaff of good quality—that is, £17 a ton. Ho added that, in view of the likelihood of greatly improved shipping facilities for the transport of Southern oat 3 and chaff to Auckland, there appeared to be every prospect of horse feed prices returning to pre-war figures. Prospects in regard to potato and onion crops this season are said to bo exceptionally good. Early potatoes are coming on to the market freely, and are realising from 2d to 2id a pound. Most of the crops have escaped the blight this season, and the quality of th etubers is excellent. Heavy crops are being dug in most of the potato-growing .districts, and during the next fortnight large consignments are expected to reach the markets. The latter crops are now well forward, and are stated to be very promising. The first of the local onion crop is expected to reach the market during the nexe three weeks, and tho mam crop probably will be to hand early in January. The high prices realised for last season's onions induced many small growers and householders to plant freely this season, and as the weather has been exceptionally favourablo for growth, heavy crops are expected. Market garden produco generally is stated to be plentiful, as a result of the favourable weather experienced.