THE FARMER.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2646, 15 May 1923, Page 9

THE FARMER.

Dalgety and 4 C0., Ltd., Palmerston North, report on the sales of the week as below:—At-the Bulls sale on Monday, the 7th inst, there was a small entry of sheep and cattle. Quotations: Cull lambs, 12/2; fat ewes, 19/9 to 2 0/-; light fat wethers, 27/-; weaner heifers, 36/- to 38/-; • empty cows, 32/6; light fat cows, £3 to £3 10/-. At the Ashhurst sale on Wednesday, the oth inst., there was a good yarding of both sheep and cattle. Dairy stock were difficult to quit, but other classes ,of stock sold freely. Quotations: Small woolly lambs, 11/6; medium lambs, 14/6 to 16/1; fat lambs, 20/10 to 24/1; fat ewes, 19/-, 19/8 to 20/-; small crossbred hfrs., r.w.b., £3 10/-, £3 15/- to £4 10/-; wnr. hfrs., 26/-, £2 to £3 6/-; Avnr. steers, 24/-; store cows, 25/- to 27/6; fwd. cows, £2. £2 5/- to £2 17/6; light fat cows, £3 5/to £3 12/6.

At the Palmerston North sale on Thursday, the 10th inst., there was a fair yarding of sheep and cattle, the bulk of which changed hands at prices as under: Medium lambs, 16/6 to 16/9; empty cull ewes, S/6; cull ewes r.w. Rom. rams, 13/9; 2i-yr. steers, £3 12/6; dairy cows, close to calving, £6 5/-; store cows, 20/- to 30/-; cows with vealer calves, £3; wnr. steers, 17/-.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

The Department of Agriculture has received the following cablegram, dated May 12, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London: — Meat. —Mutton market still slow. Lamb shade down on week, but better tone and more inquiry toward close. A little better demand for chilled beef as frozen is in smaller supply. New Zealand frozen beef not quoted. New Zealand mutton: Canterbury—s7lb. to 641 b., Sd.; 651 b. to 721 b., 7d. to 7Jd.; 731 b. to 801 b., 52d.; North Island, 571 b. to 641 b., 7*d. to 7i}d.; Gslb. to 721 b., 6gd.; 731 b. to 501b.,-5!Jd. New Zealand lamb: Canterbury—29lb. to 361 b., 102 d.; 371 b. to 421 b., 10gd.; 43h>. to 501 b., 10id.; second class, 92d. New Zealand beef: Not quoted. Chilled beef: Fores, 2Jd. to 21d.; hinds, bid. to 6Jd.

Butter. —Fair inquiry for finest, though market generally remains quiet. Official quotations are:—New Zealand .salted (finest). 142/-, 146/up to 148/- per cwt. (1/31, 1/31 to 1/3:1 per lb.); unsaltod, 150/-, 152/up to 154/- per cwt. (1/4, 1/4} to 1/41 per lb.); other qualities, 138/to 140/- per cwt. (1/23 to 1/3 per lb.). Australian, salted (finest), 136/- to 140/- per cwt. (1/21 to 1/3 per lb.); unsalted, 138/- to 142/- per cwt. (1/23 to 1/3} per lb.); other qualities, 120/to 134/- per cwt. (1/03 to 1/2} per lb.). Argentine, 120/- to 132/- per cwt. (1/03 to 1/2} per lb.). Danish. 154/-'to 156/- per cwt. (i/41 to 1/43 per lb.). Cheese.—Market steady. New Zealand, coloured. 96/- to 98/- per cwt. (10}d. to lOld. per lb.); white, 96/to 98/- per •cwt. (10}d. to lOld. per lb.). Australian, coloured, 90/- to 94/per cwt. (93d'. to lOd. per lb.); white, 92/- to 94/- per cwt. (93d. to lOd. per lb). Shipments of New Zealand produe:- arrived this week per s.s. " Port Adelaide," " Pakeha " and "Port Curtis."

Hemp.—Manila market dull and j ,prices lower. "J" grade May-July shipments sold £32 15/-, "G" grade quoted at f 35 10/-. Output from January 1 to May 7 was 530,000 bales, against 386,000 for same period last! year. Stocks in Manila on April 30 I were 136.000 bales against 238.000 last | year. Quantity in London 7943 against 21,701. New Zealand market dull. Nominal values Highpoints £32, Fair; £3l; May-July shipment. Fruit.—Three hundred thousand cases of Australian and New Zealand were discharged during- this week. while there is also a large quantity of American still available. Prices are slightly better than last week. The " Armagh " fruit which is now being disposed of, is in excellent condition and prices are well up to expectations: Newton Pippins, 15/-; Cleopatras, 14/- to 15/-; other varieties, 11/- to 14/-. Very few disposed of so far. The weather is exceedingly cold, but I with the holidays next week, it is quit:possible that demand will be much better. Fruit on the " Pakeha" is not yet discharged. Wool. —Sales have closed. Competition throughout was general and active. The bulk of the offerings, totalling 155,500 bales were sold, Homo trade taking 80,000, Continent 81,000. and America 7000. Prices for Merino and fine crossbred hardened closing 10 per cent, above closing rates for last scries. Medium crossbred, of which a large quantity was offered!, has barely maintained opening rai.es and closed showing practically no improvement. Coarse crossbred maintained opening advance of 10 per cent, meeting very good demand throughout. Piece lamb sold well showing" up to 15 per cent, advance. Average closing values are: Superior 60/64*s, Merino, 2/2 to 2/8; ordinary 60/64's, 1/8 to 2/-; 56's (super halfbred), 1/10 to 2/3; 50's (halfbred). 1/3 to 1/G; 4S*s (fin;> crossbred), 1/1 to 1/3; 44/46's (medium crossbred), 1/- to 1/3; 36/40's (coarse crossbred), !Hd. ' to lljd. Next series commence in ■ London, June 26.' B.A.W.R.A. will hold ' sales at Hull on June 8, Liverpool ! June 15.

FARM SCHOOL. INTRODUCED IN SOUTH ISLAND. [Per Press Association.] ASHBURTON, Last Night. A farm school, the first of its kind in the South Island, was officially opened this afternoon at the Ashburton High School by Mr Lill, county chairman. Over fifty farmers are attending a week's course. Dr. Cocka.yne, Government biologist, in a speech, said the Hon. W. Noswotthy, who was unable to attend, had authorised him to say that the Government's policy was tending more in the direction of instruction, such as these schools afforded. Speeches were made by Mr Lill, also by the chairmen of the A. and P. Association, the Farmers' Union, and others. It was indicated that the school was very warmly appreciated. The townspeople were invited to the evening lectures.