FARM AND COMMERCIAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4962, 31 August 1918, Page 2

FARM AND COMMERCIAL

GRAIN .AND PRODUCE. The grain and produce markets have been very quiet this week and almost everything lias an upward tendency, but the tone of the market generally is good. Chaff and oats: —There is nothing fresh to -report and the market remains- steady at last week’s rates. The Australian market for oats is slightly firmer and this will, no doubt,’ help to preserve present rates in the Dominion.

Maize: —The market is quiet and very little business is being done. Barley: —There is slightly better inquiry, due no doubt to the high prices of other grain having turned attention to this cereal, but prices are unchanged. ! Peas: —The inquiry for peas- is still fairly well maintained for seed purposes and thy market is steady with not much offering throughout the Dominion. Potatoes have steadied up considerably and although the market is no easier and is not likely to come back to any appreciable extent for some months there is nothing to indicate that it will go much higner than at the present time. Onions are in short supply and very high prices are readily obtained tor the limited supplies which come to hand. . . ' Grass Seed;- —There is a small inquiry for spring sowing but the market ’generally is quiet.

Farmers generally have taken advantage of the recent fine weather and agricultural work has been pushed on throughout the district. Those who have not finished sowing their oats- are getting them in us quickly as possible. It is stated that a fair area is being put down in oats this season. Early potatoes are already in. It is the early planted potatoes that give the best results in Poverty Bay. For these quick sales and high prices- are assured and for some reason the late varieties do not keep like those from the south. Very soon farmers will he preparing to sow barley and peas. Large quantities of peas for sowing have been purchased from local merchants and with a good season the aggregate crop should be heavy.

Dairying is practically at a standstill just now but it 'is expected to have the factories well under weigh early in October. I lie season promises to open well. Stock are in good condition and pastures should be plentiful. There is fl keen demand for good dairy cows and at the last Matawhero sale practically all the dairy cattle offered were eagerly snapped up. Dairy farmers are gradually improving their herds, and every year sees- the dairy industry upon a more profitable footing.

It will be seen from an announcement by Messrs Sherri If and Evans in another column that Mr Sydney Jones’ fine dairy herd of pedigree Jerseys will' shortly be offered for tale by public auction. Mr Jones enjoys 'the reputation of having the best breed of dairy cattle in the Dominion. He has been very successful at Agricultural Shows and Ids cows have won many Rutter-fat test prizes. Two Cups were secured by Mr Jones at the local show last year. The sale of the herd will give dairy farmers an excellent opportunity to procure high-class stock. The cows are from stock imported from Jersey L>ln nd and America. Last year Maid of Gamboye yielded 4001 bs- ot butterfat and still had two mouths to go to complete the year’s test. Many inquiries respecting the sale ot the herd have come from outside hut it is to he hoped that few of the cows will ffo out from the district. ’lhe reason for the sale is that Mr Jones has been called up for active service. Catalogues can be obtained at Messrs Williams and Kettle’s and at Sherratt and Evans.

The stock market has been very quiet this week and not much moiement is expected till spring definitely arrives. Litle business is ever done at this time of the year. In the first place farmers ajo' too busy to give much attention to sales and unless prices are very inviting there is a strong tendency to hold till aftei shearing. This year the prospects for the season are "more uncertain than usual and buyers are exercising extreme caution. There is some forward buying and a ease was mentioned in which a line of fat sheep was bought. delivery to be taken when the freezing works- opened. That may not be quite as early as in former years. Much will depend upon the quantity of stock available when the usual time for opening arrives. A man interested in stock expressed the opinion that prices have for some time been too high. In his opinion they must recede before the business between buyer and seller can be placed upon a satisfactory basis. He attributed the high prices to the prosperity enjoyed in past years. The same thing, in his judgment, applied to land. The prices asked here ho thought far too high and out of all proportion to the productive capacity.

SALE OF HORSES AT IvAIRORO

The Farmers’ Co.-op. wish to draw attention to the horses to be sold on account of -Mr J. C. Field e.t their Kairoro yards on Taesday. next. These horses, which, are all hill bred, are really a good, well bred, clean active lot. The heavy horses are by that well known imported sire “President” whose stock a year or so ago commanded top prices whereever offered. The light horses are sired by “Cavelier’ which is sufficient guarantee to judges of horse flesh to warrant keen competition when they come under the hammer. Clients are requested to note that these horses are to he sold < without reserve immediately after the company’s usual weekly sale. VICTORIAN PRODUCE MARKET. United Press Association.— Copyright. MELBOURNE, August 30. Barley, chevalier, 6s to 6s 6d; Cape, 4s to 4s 3d; oats, Algerian milling, 4s to 4s 2d; feed. 3s 9d to 3s lid,; potatoes, £4 Is to £5 ss; onions £24 to £25. CHRISTCHURCH SHARE MARKET. Press Association Telegram. CHRISTCHURCH. Aug. 30. ' Sharomarket sales 'reported; P and 0 deferred £370, WestportStockton Coal 8 per cent, non-com. (prof). 11s.