TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 19

TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

(From Ode Own Correspondedf.) SALE OF CLYDESDALES.

Mr E. Short’s stud Clydcsdalo clearing sale was largely attended, and buyers wore present from both islands, as well qs Australia. Royal Acme brought the highest price, tho stallion being knocked down for 410 gs. The mar© Silloth Lady, which lias won so many first and champion awards in the show ring, was purchased by Mr Slymes, of Melbourne, for 300 gs. Other high-priced animate were disposed of as follows: Stallion Leonta, to Mr W. S. Hammond. 120 gs; Challenger, to Mr W. Hannah, 106 gs; Montraven, to Mr E. Smith, 80gs; Top Gallant, to Mr R. D. Knight, Bfigs; and Monologue, to the Uppington Estate, 7Cgs. The mares Bonny Jean went to Mr E. Jenkins (Canterbury), lOlgs; Primrose, to Mr Middleton (WaitotaraJL, 170 gs; Lady Graceful, to Mr H. Nichols (Christchurch), 200 gs. Colt foals brought an average of 20gs. A NEW POTATO. Kimbolton is a splendid district for potatoes, and both quantity and quality invariably provide satisfaction to' the grower. Mr G. Aiken is one who has given a good deal of attention to tuber-produo-tion, and he has now grown a fine specimen of a new kind. The potato, which has been named Sir J. G. Wilson, is a cross between the Derwent and the Maori Chief. It- is reported to bo an excellent cooker, of good shape, with a dark smooth skin, which docs not turn green when exposed. Tho eyes are not as deep as tho Derwent variety, lire grower is quite confident that tho now tuber is a much better potato than the Maori Chief, so highlyspoken of at the State Farm last season for_ both yield and quality. Mr Aiken estimates lie has taken as many Sir J. G. Wilsons from two acres last season as he has taken from five acres of Maori Chief. COLLECTION OF FARM PRODUCTS. At New Plymouth Winter Show th< collection of farm products grown on on< farm was expected to evoke very keen competition. As it was, however, only two competitors were drawn—Messrs A. H. Street and T. N. Blackball. Both were good, comprehensive exhibits. Mr Street again won tho cup. The winner scored in dairy produce, hams and bacon, and also timber, in which Mr Blackball did not compete. Mr Street also obtained the maximum points in roots, fodder, fruit, and vegetables. Neither included any honey or miscellaneous in his exhibit, and thereby lost 15 points. The points obtained in each class (Mr Street mentioned first) were:— 1 Arrangement and effect, 23—21: dairy produce, 15 —0; roots and fodder, 25 —20; game

and poultry, B — 6 ; grain and grasses, 5—10; ham and bacon, '9—o; timber, s— o ; novelties, o—2 ; fruit and vegetables, 10— 8; —totals, A. H. Street, 100; H. N. Blackball, 68. CANTERBURY MAREETS. GRAIN AND PRODUCE REPORTS. (Lyttelton Times, June 12.) Owing to the paucity of offerings from farmers comparatively little business is being done m grain between growers and merchants, and at the moment the bulk of the trade passing in cereals is between merchants and millers. During the week very little wheat has been placed on offer, and generally speaking holders are averse to accept current prices, high as they are, believing that values will advance. In the meantime, however, they appear content to wait, and the natural result has boon little trade. Oats are offering very sparingly, and prices are firm, but as in the case of wheat business is restricted largely to transactions between merchants, the number of lines purchased from farmers being small indeed. Prices for all descriptions are firm, and no difficulty is found in obtaining full rates.

Contrary to the experiences of recent years, potatoes arc steadily advancing, and to-day it is practically impossible to purchase except on a basis of £5 per ton on trucks at country stations. Even this price is not proving sufficiently enticing to many holders to induce them to part with their stocks, the majority holding out resolutely for higher prices. The demand for potatoes is general, many orders coming from the North Island, while numbers have boon shipped to the Commonwealth. It is now generally recognised that the crop has been much below expectations, and it is worth noting that the number, that have been placed in the pits this season is very small compared with previous years. Chaff is in short supply, and the demand Is very firm, values’ ranging from £6 15s to £7, on trucks at country stations. The demand for onions is slightly better, the current price being £3. The following quotations arc for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra delivered at country stations: Wheat. —(Nominal), Tuscan 6s 8d to 6s lOd, Hunters 6s 9d to 6s lOd, Pearl 6s lOd to 5s lid. Oats —A grade Gartons 4s id to 4s 2d, B grade 3s lid to 4s, Duns 4s 2d, Algerians to 4s 3d. Barley—(Nominal), prime malting 6s to 6s 3d, medium 5s 3d to 5s fid. Peas—Blue Prussians, 5s 4d; Partridge, ss.

Chaff—Bright oatsheal £6 15s to £7, oat straw chaff £2 10s to £2 15s, wheat straw £2 to £2 ss. Bran—Local. £8 ss: f.0.b., £B. Potatoes—£4 10s to £4 15s per ton. Pollard—£9 10s per ton. Onions—£3. Oatmeal —£23 per ton. Flour—Sacks £l7 10s, 1001 b bags £!?• ffOlb bags £lB ss, 251 b bags £lB 10s, Seeds —(Nominal), ryegrass, Italian and perennial, 5s 6d to 6s; cocksfoot, 131 b seed to 8d; white clover, farm dressed, Is; Cowgrass, to 7d.

Dairy Produce—Cheese, factory lO^d; dairy largo B£d ; butter, local factory prints, first grade Is 63d, second grade Is sgd, farmers’ separator Is 2d, farm dairy Is; hams lOd, ham rolls lO^d; lard pats B£d to 8d ; eggs, Is Bd. TIMARU MARKETS. (The Press, June 12.) Wheat is decidedly firmer than it was, though offerings are very light. Some sales are reported at 7s on trucks at country stations for Tuscan and Velvet together. By itself, Tuscan is worth 6s lid on trucks for bright samples. Rod chaff is quoted at 7s on trucks. There is a good inquiry for oats at present, but the quantity on offer is small. The price of this cereal has also firmed. Good Cartons are quoted at 4s on trucks. Potatoes are being keenly sought after, and the price has jumped from £3 15s to £5 on trucks, sacks in.