GRAIN AND SEED REPORT

Otago Witness, Issue 1898, 19 June 1890, Page 21

GRAIN AND SEED REPORT

Mr Samubi Orh reports (on behalf of William B. Reynolds, and Co.; for the weok ending June 18 as follows :—: —

Since laßt reporting the weather has been of a most changeable character— keen frosts one day, next rain, then sunshine, as if it was summer. However, this class of weather enables farmers to get on with the ploughing, and which is now being pushed. The carting of grain being just about over, as the arrivals are a mere bagatelle, co that all orders for shipping or local consumption must of necessity come from store. •

Wheat. -During the past week this cereal has undergone a great change at Home ; which, howover, was not unexpected, as advices the week previous fiom Drivate sources indicated a slight change, but we in the colonies must bear in mind how little it takes to turn the markets at Home and on the Continent, and though without definite information it is to be presumed that beautiful weather is at the bottom of it all. Of our local market, we can report no change in price, while some good large Bales have been put through, all nearly of Southern growth, so that the Home market has not influenced this one in any wav, nor as we have expressed before do we consider it likely to do this season. We have no California- to compete with this year as last in our Australian markets, and may it be a long time ere she comes into competition with New Zealand again. In thiß we thiuk we echo the feelings of many many farmers who know it to their cost, and not only them but speculators also. We quote ; Prime milling Tuscan, 3s sid; velvet, 3s sd; redstraw, 3s 3d to 3s 4d ; ordinary velvet and redstraw, 3s to 38 Id ; inferior to fowls' feed up to 2s Bd, and In pood demand.

Oats.— Towards the end of last week speculators and shippers having freight offered thorn for Brisbane began purchasing for their requirements, while imother speoulator came on the board buying for Home for shipment per steamer, and which created quite a flutter till thair orders were completed, and at the moment prices firmed somewhat, and many lines which hung fire for days previous were quoted at full rates ; bub at time of writing a reaction has set in and prices Bhowiug signs of drooping, which, however, is not to be wondered at, as prices in Sydney or Melbourne give no margin on those ruling here, while the prospects of thorn being better are very discouraging indeed. As we have already mentioned, arrivals are much reduced, and millers, who have not much of the manufactured article beside them, must draw from stores, and as the quantity suitable for them is not in abundance, it is possible no alteration will take place in this class. We quote : Prime milling, up to Is sd ; bright heavy feed, Is 4d to Is 4§d ; ordinary. Is 3d to Is 3Jd"; heavy Canadians for seed, Is 5d ; duns, Is 6d ; while inferior and long are difficult to quit at from Is Id to Is 2£d. All sack« paid for.

Barley.— The market is just about a standstill, so give no quotations, which might only mislead holders.

Chaff.— Tho quantity arriving is in excess of dfnmnd, which, though good, is brought in check by too much coming forward and lowering prices. Prime oaten sheaf, if well cut and screened, £2 7e 6d ; ordinary, from £1 15s to £2 ss.

Potatoes. — While the markets here and in the North have kept firm, and in fact advanced, that of Sydney has drooped ; all the same we feel inclined to think the prospect of them besoming good property is secure.

Seeds,— Eyeglass : Meantime there is no business , whatever transpiring, as it is too early. A month I or six weeks hence, however, will see something • doing. Timothy : The same remarks apply. Gockf.foot: Tl.i3 has made a move at Home, and as a on , sequence prices on the spot have improved, and feel confident th.it purchasers who have to bow down large tracts this season will not do better than buy up now. In the meantime we quote 3jd to 4d.