BENEFICIAL RAIN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26916, 30 October 1948, Page 3

BENEFICIAL RAIN

GROWTH OF CEREAL CROPS SEED ALMOST CLEARED The heavy rain experienced in most parts of Central Otago during the week did an immense amount of good. The rainfall was been well below average in the past few months, and the country was showing the effects of the lack of moisture. Further rain in some of the inland areas would be beneficial, and would ensure the growth of early spring crops over a vital stage of their development. The coastal areas are well soaked, and, given a period of warm weather, the crops should come away rapidly. Very little grain is being handled in local stores, as the demand for seed has effected almost a complete clearance. As a result, no stocks are available for shipment to the North Island. The demand for chaff is confined to the local trade, for which sufficient supplies are available. The releases of fowl wheat continue to be adequate for immediate requirements. ' Potatoes are still slow of sale, but the stocks in store are decreasing, as there are no deliveries coming -to hand from the country. The prices being received for table potatoes depend on the quality, but in most cases they are under the fixed maximum price. A quiet week was experienced in the seed market, and few merchants are now in a position to quote good quantities, as the stocks of the main varieties are in small compass. Tire market for cowgrass and Montgomery red clover is steady, and there has been no alteration in values. While there has been some trading in white clover, there js no life in the market. Crested dogstail of good quality is in short supply, the export demand having exhausted the stocks. The values of Chewings fescue, browntop and cocksfoot remain unaltered. Little interest is being taken in perennial, Italian or HI ryegrass, other than by retailers who are short of their immediate requirements.