SOUTHLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10756, 30 April 1913, Page 2

SOUTHLAND.

rFEOM OtTR COBRESrONDBNT.] INVEROARGILL. April 24. The fine drying winds that we have had the last few days have given growers with crops m KtoQk a eharicf) to cot their sheaves dried and stacked wwi those with late crops have with but few exceptions, boen able to put the binder to work. These late crops will be of little use excepting to cut into chaff. Although we have enjoyed fairly dry weather lately, farmers found it quite impracticable. t-o take their binders into late crops, as the ground was so saturated with moisture that the machines would only ha,ve got bogged. All traces of the flood of last month are fast disappearing, and pastures which were submerged and afterwards found to be covered' with silt have since been washed clean by the copious rains, no that the country is once again presenting its accustomed appearance of prosperity. The hemp market at present is rather quiet, and there are few parcels of fibre offering. Some of the millers whose Kioperties were invaded by the floods ave been pretty well put out of the business until next season, and a good many of those who are still stripping are busy in overtaking earlier commitments. Not a few found that owing to the difficulty in securing suitable mill hands they could not carry out tlieir contracts up to time, and in place of producing something _ like twenty tons per month, have discovered that ten tons per month has become a fair average. There has, therefore, not been the quantity of fibre on sale this season as compared' with the offerings from the same number of manufacturers five or six years ago, when the labour problem offered 110 great difficulty. Prices are very slack just now. London is offering only £BO c.i.f. for high, point fair, and £29 5s for low fair. From these prices approximately £5 15s has to be deducted before one can arrive at the value to the miller on trucks at country sidings. Tow also has receded in sympathy, and it is not worth more than £6 10s to £7 on trucks for second grade, and about 15s less for No. 3 grade. Indications for next season are very encouraging. and it is expected several new mil's will commence operations in the spring. There has been a little doing in potatoes lately, but the majority of the growers are not keen to accept present values. After getting £7 and £8 at the tail end of last season, it will 110 doubt take some of them a little time to reconcile themselves to to-day's rates, which are in the vicinity of £3 10s to £3 15s on trucks for prime quality. It is impossible, meantime at all events, to work business with the Commonwealth, as the severe conditions imposed by the authorities over there are once again in operation after having been temporarily suspended last summer.

There has been a fair amount of inquiry lately for Chewing's fescue, chiefly from the United Kingdom, and also the Continent. It is probable that the greater part of the crop this season has passed, out of growers' hands, for the quantity lately on sale has been very small, Prices range from 2|d per lb to 3d on trucks, according to weight and cleanliness. Buyers are very cautious in.their operations, as the business is rather a naaardous one. To be left at the end of the season with a few tons means a serious loss, as its germinating properties become reduced to a very low percentage if held for only twelve months, and. consequently it comes down to a mere fraction of its original value. There are still considerable offerings of ryegrass,, the quality of which is well up to the earlier samples submitted by the vendors. Good heavy-weight seed that is fairly clean is bringing as much as 3s on trucks, and poorer quality 2s 2d to 2s 6d. Merchants are not very keen buyers, however, being of the opinion that prices are at a higher level than the outside market warrants. The demand from the north is very small at present, and most of the late purchases will be utilieed for the local seed trade.

Oats here are still exceedingly firm, although in the North Island they do not appear to be anxious about obtaining supplies. Farmers are holding on to their crops with extraordinary tenacity, and, unless tliey shortly revise their ideas of value, prices seem almost certain to advance further. There are a large number storing this season, but the. percentage of sellers is trifling. The quality of the new oats so far is very satisfactory, but, no doubt, we shall see some inferior samples in a few weeks. Buyers are offering up to 2s OJd for A Gartons, 2s for A Sparrowhills and id less for 15 grade Duns and Blacks up to 2s. all on trucks. Duns are in request, but there are scarcely njiy available.