FARM PRODUCTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 10

FARM PRODUCTS.

' )N THE MARKETS. The markets, in which the farmer is interested, wer.e hardly ever quieter than they are at present. Apart from the fact that all grain men are interested more in harvesting than in anything else, there is a reluctance both on the part of buyer and seller to do business. The seller is convinced that prices are rather below a normal level, and the buyer is hanging off in the belief that the low water mark has yet to be reached.

WHEAT. The foregoing remarks apply to wheat, as much as oats and barley. Very little wheat is offering, millers having sufficient stocks for present requirements. Quotations for good milling art from 3/3 to 3/5, on trucks at country stations. OATS. This grain is rather easier, if there is any change, but so little business is doing that it is difficult to place the market. Stocks are fairly heavy. Algerians and Gartons are worth from 1/5 to 1/7. j BAELEY. Prospects for barley growers are not bright. One farmer yesterday, with a really good sample, made a round of the larger brewery firms, only to find that the barley stores were full at two, and at the third 3/3 was the best that could be obtained. Many samples show signs of smut. CHAFF. A few weeks should see a considerable quantity of chaff coming forward. Old stocks are just about exhausted, but here again there is little enquiry. ONIONS. A decline of 10/- per ton in onions is reported; they are now being quoted at £4 10/-. POTATOES. It is still early for potatoes, but if the reports as to southern crops being blighted are correct it will have a hardening effect on the market. Nothing above 50s per ton is mentioned so far. GRASS SEED. Stray parcels of cocksfoot have sold at from 34d to 3t}d, but they are rare. Perennial and Italian rye are standing at 2/3. No clover seed has yet come to hand. , FLOUR. Local flour is as follows: —Sacks, £9 per ton; 1001b bags, £9 10/-; 501b bags, £9.15/-. OTHER LINES. Bran is worth £4 15/-, and pollard £6. For oatmeal, £l4 per ton is given. DAIRY PRODUCE. Factory butter is worth 12M, and farmers' separator from 9d to From Sd to B|d is paid for dairy lines. Eggs are 13d per dozen. The wholesale prices of bacon are: —Rolls 10£ d, sides 9£d, hams llcL