SEED SHORTAGE THIS YEAR

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 2

SEED SHORTAGE THIS YEAR

Cocksfoot Crop Of Dominion ESTIMATED CROP ONLY 300 SACKS (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, February 20. Members of the Akaroa Cocksfoot sSeed Growers’ Association and the North Canterbury Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants’ Association held a conference recently to discuss this season’s cocksfoot crop, and the cot ?~ elusion was reached that there would be a definite shortage of seed this year in the two chief cocksfoot seed producing areas in the Dominion- Banks Peninsula and Ashburton County. The estimated crop, because of the dry autumn last year, is only about onefifth of the 1939 crop. On Banks Peninsula the estimated crop is 3000 sacks of farmers’ dressed seed against 16,900 sacks in 1939. The Ashburton crops are reported to show a similar decline, and it is stated that the Southland crop is also very poor. There is a carry-over from last season, but it seems certain that the seed available from all sources will be inadequate for the normal sowing demands in New Zealand. The supplying of the overseas demand, especially the Australian, seems likely, therefore, to create a difficult position. Merchants report that there has been more inquiry for cocksfoot seed in the last few days, but otherwise the market is unchanged. Supplies of ryegrass are hard to obtain, many growers holding their crops for higher prices. The red clover crop is reported to be promising. A fairly large area appears to have been closed for seed and is looking well. Quotations to farmers are up to 10d. Other markets are unchanged. STOCK INDICES (Received February 20, 7.30 p.m.)

LONDON, February 19. Stock Indices Compiled by The Financial

Times. October 15. 1926 = 100.

NEW YORK Dow Jones’s Averages 1926 = 100.

Highest in 1939: Railroads, 35.90 (September 27); Industrials, 151.92 (September 12). Lowest in 1939: Railroads. 24.14 (April 8): industrials. 121.4 (April 8). NEW GUINEA GOLD SHARES (Received February 20, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. New Guinea Gold shares are quoted at l/7|d. WELLINGTON ALLUVIALS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 20. Wellington Alluvials (Melbourne) reports that for the four weeks ended February 3 the dredge worked 497 hours, handling 238,000 yards of material, and recovering bullion estimated to contain 748 ounces of fine gold. CLEARING SALE AT TUSSOCK CREEK A clearing sale was conducted at Tussock Creek on Monday by Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd. on behalf of Mr D. J. Cuttance, who has sold his farm to Mr A. Rodger, of Tapanui. Some of the prices were:— Sheep.—Forty-nine ewes and three lambs at 13/-, two rams at Iggns. Pigs.—Boar, £5/10/-; sows, £lO/10/-, £B. Horse.—Draught mare, £lO. > Dairy Cattle.—Cows, £9/10/-, £4, £lO/10/-, £ll, £7/15/-, £7/10/-, £9/10/-, £5/15/-, £6, £B/5/-, £B/10/-; empty cow and two calves £10; 3 heifers at £7/5/-. Implements. —Disks £ll, clod crusher 15/-, harrows £2/2/6, plough £l7, scuffler £2, tractor £56/10/-, dray £9/5/-, engine and bench £l4, separator £l2/10/-.

Govt. Securities Home Sails. Industrials. Gold mines. Jan. 8 107.G 46.9 96.9 193.5 Jan. 9 107.5 46.8 96.7 193.9 Jan. 10 107.1 46.9 96.5 194.5 Feb. 5 109.2 52.0 95.8 190.4 Feb. 6 109.0 51.7 96.3 190.8 Feb. 7 108.8 52.9 96.5 190.9 Feb. 8 108.1 54.1 96.3 190.7 Feb. 12 109.1 57.1 96.8 189.8 Fe'~. 109.1 57.0 96.5 186 Feb. 14 109.2 58.2 96.7 186.4 Feb. 15 109.2 57.9 96.7 187.8 Feb. 1G 109 57.2 96.7 188.9 Feb. 19 109.4 56.6 97.1 ■ 187.1

Sales. 20 Rail30 Indus1000 roads trials. shares. Jan. 8 32.18 151.34 630 Jan. 9 31.81 149.84 670 Jan. 10 31.85 150.15 600 Feb. 5 30.50 145.00 410 Feb. 6 30.73 145.93 540 Feb. 7 30.83 146.63 490 Feb. 8 31.46 148.40 870 Feb. 9 31.40 148.94 1100 Feb.14 31.00 148.33 650 Feb. 15 30.90 148.46 750 Feb. 16 30.86 148.20 680 Feb. 19 30.90 148.46 630