GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 80, 2 March 1935, Page 5

GRAIN AND PRODUCE.

CANTERBURY QUOTATIONS. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, March 1. There is little change in tho produce markets. A moderate amount of business is boing done, but mostly in retail lots for Bending. The North Island so far is not showing i much interest in tho potato market. J Values remain fairly firm at £5 5s a ton, f.0.b., s.e., for May-June delivery, or £4 on trucks. Farmers arc holding firmly at tho latter price, and in tho absence of North Island inteitest littlo business is doing. The oats market is firm. A Cartons are quoted at 3s a bushel, f.0.b., s.i., for prompt, and B’s at 2s 9d. Thcro is very littlo inquiry and so far not much threshing has boon done. It is possible that if some supplies came forward kt the current price tho market would not be maintained at tho present level. AA 7 hitc clover is quoted a.t 7d to 9jd a lb according to quality. Pntridgo peas have hardened and are very firm at 4s fid a bushel on trucks.Tho small seeds market is steady. Cocksfoot is vory firm and sales have been recorded in excess of lid a lb for good heavy Akaroa seed. Ryegrass shows no change, being firm at 3s to 3s 3d a bushel on trucks. There aro very few offerings of red clover, and appearances point to confirmtion of the earlier belief that the crop will bo a small one. The current quotation is 9jd to lid a bushel according to quality. Tho releasing of stored wheat by tho AA 7 hcat Purchase Board for North Island fowl feed purposes has caused some readjustment of vain os for “free” fowl wheat. Prompt quotations arc 4s 3d for freo wheat and 4s 4d for board wheat. With tho board as provider, there is little interest in the forward market/ Spread is nominally quoted at 4s 5d for MarcliSoptcmbcr, but there are very few, if any, buyers. Curiously enough, tho North Island is not responding much to tho lower prices, possibly on account of the fact that there have been fairly substantial quantities of feeding barley coming in from Australia, this commodity being free of duty. LONDON QUOTATIONS. LONDON., Feb. 28. AA 7 heat cargoes are firm and dearer and parcels are being held for on advance. Futures. —London: ’ April, 19s lOd; Juno, 20s 7d. Liverpool; March, -Is 7Jd; May, 4s 11-Jd; J l, G’> 5s l|-d. Tlie spot trade is slow. Australian, ex ship, 24s Sd to 25s fid. Flour is steadily held; Australian, ex store, 18s fid and 19s; oats are steadier and pens and beans are quiet. CONTROL OF CABBAGE MOTH. PROMISING SUBSTITUTE FOR ARSENIC. The use of any form of arsenic in the control of moth on cabbages and cauliflowers has very obvious objections, and for some time Mr W. L. Morgan, B.Sc., Agr.. assistant entomologist, has been engaged in testing substitutes, says' the Sydney Morning Herald. Of the various substances tested, a finely ground derris root powder mixed with talc powder has given the best results as an alternative to the use of 50 per cent, arsenate of load powder with kaoim or hydrated lime. The departmental entomologist (Mr Gurney) stated that this 50 per cent lead arsenate dust gave adequate control for cabbage moth when applied three weeks after planting, but it was found necessary to cease applying this dust six weeks before cutting the cabbages or. cauliflowers, fur sale, owing to the possible danger of excess arsenical residue on the hearts. Tins necessity to cease dusting so long before cutting resulted in the cabbages being appreciably infested with moth in the later uages of growth, ntic] the need a'rose, therefore, for a non-arsenal substitute. In the earlier tests with various insecticides, both dusts and sprays, the uso of derris root was ineffective. This, however, .vas considered by Mr Morgan to bo due mainly to the coarse nature of the derris root then available. Recently, however, a more finely ground form was obtained, and gave promising results in experiments, i.-i which cabbages were treated with the derris powder at weekly intervals after L, -‘- nsnlnnting. The derris powder employed at tho l-flte of one part to nine parts i taie powifisr gave just as effective control as lead arsenate during- the . early itagcs of growth, and even better control tha°i tho lead arsenate after the plants had commenced to heart. Moreover, owing to Us non-poisonous character, the derris root lowder can be employed later than it is adIsable to use lead arsenate. Mr Gurney added that although the results of the experiments were most encouraging, tho derris root powder would iruve more costly, but lie considered that this extra cost was more than, offset by the advantage of now obtaining a nonpoisoncus substitute lor the arsenical preparation.