THE SEED TRADE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2004, 21 July 1892, Page 23

THE SEED TRADE.

Messrs Nimmo and Blaik, in their annual report on the seed trade, say I — Red Clover. -*■ Owing to the unfavourable weather in England last harvest few good samples have been offering, and because of this American and Continental seeds have advanced considerably over last year's quotations, and we fear the standard of growth of imported reds will not reach previous years' crops. Red Clover (Canterbury grown). — Since the introduction of the bumble bee into New Zealand red clover has been grown in increasing quantities, so much so that within the next few years the colony will be independent of the English and European markets for her supplies. Owing to the unusual moist harvest this year this seed has somewhat suffered, causing the bulk of the samples to be slightly damaged. Wha£ has boon well saved has had a ready market at good prices. Cowgrasa Clover. — This crop hns also suffered in England, and the imported seed available here is mostly of Continental and American growth, anil these aro not in quality equal to former years. Cowgrass Clover (Canterbury grown). — This seed, like the red clover, is having attention by our Ciiiitorbuiy farmers, and New Zealand may congratulate itself on being able to compete so advantageouply with the finest of English saved seed. Tho crop, generally speaking, is not so satisfactory as last year, it being short and of a quality not equal to last year's production. White Clover. — Of all the crops this bochis to be in the least supply. Germany, the country producing most of the seed offered, has the smallest crop for many years, and although England may have produced a little, it cannot be enough to supply the place of the great Continental deficiency. The qualities offering will be inferior to former years so much to that few prime samples will be available. Owing to these causes prices will be higher than for some seasons past. Alsike Clover. — The English crop of this seed h under the average, but Continental and American supplies are available iv fair quantities, and the quality on the whole is very good and prices reasonable. Trefoil Clover. — The only fine samples in the market this year come from France. The E'iglUh crop is almost a failure, in consequence of which the bulk of the seed offering will be darker in colour than usual, and higher in price than formally. Cocksfoot. — Not for years has there been so much seed offering as there is at the present time. The quality, owing to the unsatisfactory harvest weather in the Alcaroa district, is under the average ; yet good sound seed of average growth is fairly plentiful at reasonable prices. See m-l to third quality seed is in abundance and che p. Ryegrass (local seed).— ln the early part of the year it was expected that large quantities of local send would be on the market for sale,- but since then the North Island demand has diminished the supplies in Otago particularly, nnil unless Southland and Canterbury's stocks prove larger than was expected, we fear seed will be somewhat scarce when the sowing season opens. Poverty Bay Ryegrass. — This seed of prime quality is somewhat scarce again and almost unobtainable, unless at prices to interfere with its more general use. Italian Ryegrass is of fair quality and in moderate supply at reasonable prices. Imported seed of good average quality is obtainable at a price to admit of its being put into general sowing. Timothy (Colonial). — There is a fair quantity of this seed offering, at prices below last year's quotations. Good bright seed, free from weeds and clean, is extremely scarce, and for it good prices are being given. Imported seed is -of the usual average quality and is moderately cheap. Maugels and Carrots (Colonial). — The quality in every line is particularly good, and we can with every confidence recommend them .as superior in growth and quality to imported stocks. Rape. — The severe winter in England destroyed many of the crops, with the result that the yield is smaller than it has been for many years, causing seed to be scarce and somewhat high in price. Colonial seed has also suffered by wet weather, and for .what little is offered high prices are asked. Turnip SeedtR — Owing to the severe weather in winter and spring of last year the crops of turnips have suffered considerably, and from recent reports from our London agents it would seem that crops all round have been extremely poor, both of yield and quality, and we may look for extreme prices of most kinds in commerce. THE LABOUR MARKET. Mr Skkne reports under date July 19 :— ln this season of the yeai country work is plentiful and the demand but for all tli.it it it> r.ue to find a. contented individual. We are getting educated above the old fnundly grip which once prevailed among masters and men. It is every man for himself nowadays. Late wages : Couples, Lt!s to Leo;L c 0; ploughmen, L 52;5 2; oooks 2<U to 2os ; gardencis, 30-. ; I grooms, 10? to 20-. ; milkers, 10-, 12s, 14-s to 20*. Shepherds aie fctill black. ' CIIRISTCHURCU CORN EXCHANGE. The following is the Corn Exchange report (per Fred. Denhain, secretary) for the week eudmg July 16 :— Wheat : Shippers of wheat on the water are quite dead, and holders of faulty in deep mourniug; but there is " balm in Gilcad" for owners of

sduiid, hard wheat, that still keeps firm in price. Barley : Nothing passing. Oats : Good milling are in request at an advance, and duns are wanted at previous rates. Beans and pease : Good samples are scarce and saleable at quotations. Grass seed : A good number of small lines have changed hands during the week. Potatoes : Sydney cable of Thursday shows a fall of 5s compared With last week, but adds " market Improving. Wcdahnot stand much improvement of this sort. Butter and cheese am in request. The following are prices paid to farmers f.o.b. Lyttelton, packages extra (potatoes excepted) : — Wheat : Pearl, 3s 8d ; Tuscan, 3s 7d ; Hunter's, 3s 7d. Barley : Malting, 3s 9d. Oats : Milling, Is lid. Beans, 3s 2d. Pease, 3s 2d. Butter : Fresh factory, Is Id ; farmers', lOd to lid. Cheese, 3Jd to sd. Cocksfoot, 2Jd to 4d. Ryegrass : Machined, 3s 6d. WEEKLY MARKET REPORT. Fat Sheep. — The following sales by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. at Burnside on he 13th inst. should have appearaed in last week's report : — We sold 412 as follows : — For Mr George Chadwick (Mossbank), 30 very prime crossbred wethers (heavy weights) at 21s ; for Mr James Bruce ffe Houka), 30 extra prime crossbred wethers (heavy) at 20s ; for Mr John Grey (Milburn), 18 very prime crossbred wethers at 19s and 225 ; very small halfbreds (half fat) at 13s 9d ; for Mr Jamej Wyllie (West Taieri), 30 very prime crossbred wethers at 19s, 13 half bred wethers at 17s 3d, and 26 prime crossbred ewes at 17s ; for Mr D. M. Philip (Shag Valley), 60 half bred wethers at 15s 9d ; and for Mr Alexander Cameron (Southland), 183 small half bred wethers (half fat) at a satisfactory price.