FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 107, 6 April 1926, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

POTATOES FOR SYDNEY.

THE GRADING REGULATION,

Under the provisions of the Plant Diseases Act, 1924, New South Wales insists on potatoes being graded before entry into the State. Two grades are provided. Both must consist of potatoes which are sound, of similar varietal characteristics, and of normal shape, practically free from dirt and other foreign matter and not affected by second growth, sprouting, injury, or deterioration. Potatoes of No. 1 grade must, in the case of round varieties, be not less than 2£ inches in diameter and, in the case of long varieties, not less than 2 inches in diameter. The diameter of potatoes in No. 2 grade must not be less than 1J inches. Potatoes are deemed to comply with the above-mentioned grades if at least 92i per cent by weight comply with the requirements as to size, and if at least 95 per cent by weight comply with the other requirements. Potatoes which are intended for planting, and which comply with the requirements of the above grades, exccpt'“as to size, may bo packed for sale or sold in coverings which are legibly marked, “seed potatoes.” Potatoes which are intended for stock food and which do not comply with the above grades may be packed for sale or sold in coverings legibly marked “stock food.” DAIRY PRODUCTION. AUCKLAND PROVINCE RETURNS. DECREASE IN BUTTER. IMPROVEMENT IN CHEESE. Butter production in the Auckland Province this season shows a decrease compared with last season’s rocord output. Cheese production has increased, though the margin is not sufficient to compensate for the falling off in butter. Butter received for grading at the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Works during the season to the end of March totalled 1,381,344 boxes, compared with 1,485,403 for the corresponding period of the previous season, a decrease of 104,086 boxes. For the four-weekly period ended March 31, the receipts at the grading stores totalled 138,663 boxes, compared with 152,705 for the similar period of last year, a decrease of 14,042 boxes. _ | Cheese received for grading during the four-weekly period ended March 31 totalled 17,226 crates, against 13,455 received during the similar period of last year, an increase of 3771 crates. The quantity received for the season to the end of March totalled 137,931 crates, compared with 110,831 for the corresponding period of last season, an increase of 27,100 crates, j BUTTER FROM DENMARK. j THE USE OF PACKAGES. Following the example of some of the New Zealand dairies, Danish butter producers propose to pack their produce in half-pound and pound packets, and an expert committee has been appointed to examine the best methods by which this may be done to meet competition in the British markets, says the London Times. This step is a direct outcome of the progress which colonial butter is making in public favour in the United Kingdom. Tho increase in the German tariff has greatly interfered with Denmark’s butter trade with Germany; and if, as is expected, tho American duty on imported butter is raised from 8 to 12 cents a lb., the effect will probably be to divert to Great Britain supplies of New Zealand and Australian butter, which in the ordinary courso would be shipped to the United States. This dc-

volopmont is feared in Denmark as likely to have a further detrimental influence upon the demand for Danish butter in this country.

DUNEDIN MARKETS

GOOD PRICES FOR WHEAT.

DUNEDIN, April 4. The bulk of tho wheat on the Taieri has now been sold and the prices realised have ben above those arranged by millers. Most of tho wheat was placed on a forward delivery basis. The wheat from the vicinity of Milton and Balclutha is just starting to come on tho market. Growers are asking 7s on trucks, but an occasional line has been put through below this figure. Reports from tho Oamaru district go bo show that farmers are holding out for higher prices and the only lines of wheat offering on millers’ f.o.b. basis is the Dreadnought variety. The local demand for fowl wheat is on the quiet side. The market is kept going with arrivals from the North. Wheat which cannot be used for milling is being secured from Canterbury at 6s fid on trucks. The oat market remains stagnant and with an ever easier tendefivy in prices. North merchants are not buying. The only sales made during the week have been made to merchants who sold forward early in tho year. To-day’s value for A grade is 4s 6d to 4s 7d, f.0.b., and 4s 3d and 4s 4d for B grade. Theso prices are equivalent to 3s 8d and 3s 5d respectively, sacks extra, on trucks at country sidings. Although slightly discoloured by the wet weather the quality of the oats arriving from the Taieri and from further South is very good. Tho yields in some instances are high and as much as 100 bushels to tho acre lias been obtained. The oats are also heavy in weight. As regards the chaff market farmers do not seem to realise that, owing to the ever-increasing motor traffic, the demand for chaff is daily becoming more limited. Consignments are still coming in freely and sales are almost impossible to effect. There is now sufficient chaff in stores to keep the local market going for about six weeks. The consignments nrriving are also being placed in store. Tho nominal value for best quality is £6 to £6 6s per ton, sacks extra, ex-truck. Medium and poor chaff is nominally worth £4 to £5.

Consignments of potatoes are just about equal to the demand. Sound potatoes are worth £7 to £7 103 per ton, sacks included, ex truck._ The Australian inquiry has ceased in the meantime and it is significant that those Australian merchants who bought forward are now prepared to resell their purchases back to New Zealand at equal at £9, f.o.b. The ryegrass seed market is quiet. There is no demand for export oversea or to the North Island. A small quantity is going out for the retail trade Lines of farmers’ dressed seed are still offering freely, but merchants are disinclined to buy in the meantime, as they have sufficient stocks in hand and there is little outlet. Best quality farmers’ dressed ryegrass is worth 4s to 4s 3d sacks extra, on trucks. Business in other seeds is quiot. Crested dogstail is, however, firmly held, as it is anticipated that there will be a short crop this season. Samples of cowgrass are coming to hand and tho quality of tho Blenheim-grown is exceptionally gpod. Owing to tho short crop higher prices are being asked this season for cowgrass.

CHICAGO WHEAT FUTURES

NEW YORK, April 3.

Chicago wheat futures: May, new_, 156Jcents, old 155 cents; July, 133| cents; September, I29Jcents. —A. ana N.Z. cable.