MARKET REPORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6072, 8 January 1898, Page 5

MARKET REPORTS.

«, GRAIN AND PEODUCE. The principal topic of conversation in the grain market during the past few days has been the prospects of the present harvest and its effect on prices for the current season. Harvest is now in full swing in j almost all parts of Canterbury, and in most districts the yield is disappointing, and fully bears out the remarks made in this column some two months ago. On the other hand, in one or two districts there are very fair crops, moro especially close under the hills, where they have not suffered from the want of moisture as they have done on the plains. Although no samples of new grain have yet been offered on the market, it is expected that the first will be brought to town to-day. Millers seem rather anxious to secure any parcels of old grain, and several lots have changed hands at quotations, which, it will be seen, show an advance of about a penny per bushel on last quotations, and the market closes firm. Oats have seen fair business, and several fair-sized lines from the south have changed hands at 2s 3d, and more of these are expected on the market, as there are • still plenty there to draw upon. Although barley is practically out of the market, there is every indication that the new season's crop will open at about Ss .for good samples of malting, and there is some talk of importing this cereal from America, as there is certain to be a shortage of prime here this season. Oatsheaf chaff still continues to meet a keen inquiry for all good bright parcels, but these are very hard to secure. Ryegrass is now very scare? here, although it is said to be well held in the south, and a large parcel from there is said, to have been taken by a Christchurch buyer. Quotations for 281 b seed are 3s lld, and 261 b seed 3s 6d. Several samples of new season's are already on the market, but these are very light and inferior, one parcel which was being offered yesterday only averaging 111 bto the bushel. .For good lines of farmers' seed the market is expected to open at from 2a *6d to 2s 9d. The cocksfoot harvest has now commenced ou the Peninsula, but no seed has yet been placed on the market. Reports, however, speak of a very poor crop, and as there are large stocks of last season's both here and at Home the prospects are not very encouraging to growers. For machine-dressed old seed 4d per lb can be got, whilst good bright farmers* seed commands 2fd to 3d, and inferior is almost unsaleable at 2}d to 21d. Clovers are likely to bo very scarce this season, but as the American article is cheap, the price is not likely to be very high. New potatoes not yet being fit for handling are only coming forward in small quantities, and cannot yet be quoted m wholesale quantities, but are being sold semi-retail at about *d per lb. The large quantity of cheese coming forward from the Peninsula is meeting a ready saie for export to Sydney and the factories are showing a !E OSl iL 0n t ?. 6ell * local market rather than ship to England. The greatest length of England and Scottaud, north to south, is about 608 ■ ' ■ • a- _