RURAL TOPICS

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6044, 18 September 1903, Page 4

RURAL TOPICS

Favourable weather has been experienced during the week, mild northerly wind with light rain, sueceeding the westerly bleezes of the previous week, which did so much to check the normal spring growth. With the milder air a nice growth has been set up, and it is to be hoped these conditions will con~ tinue for some time, so that pastures will once more get full of feed and stocK pull upjn condition.

Dairymen especially, are anxiously looking forward for a free growth in grass, most of them having a large proportion of the season's cows in the bails, and in many instances, not very much feed for them.

The 6ne spell has been fully taken advantage of by graiu growers to push on with the drilling, 6pendid progress being made during the week, and given another few days of suitable weather the bulk of the grain will be in the ground. Oats are still the favourite cereal with Waikato farmers, but the area devoted to wneat and also to barley is steadily increasing, and given good growing weather, a large output of grain should be recorded during the ensuing year. Potatoes, for main crop, are now being planted, the present condition of tbo land—being free from excessive moisture—should ensure a good take with bub few sets rotted in the ground.

Stock of all classes are now im- 1 proving in condition, the warmer nights helping them greatly, and, with the encouraging state of the markets, and bright prospects for the future, stock-breeders are in a very satisfactory position. Ths stock markets have been very strong during the week, a most satisfactory feature being the sound prices obtainable for good horses of all classes. Fat stock are at high rates, the phenomenal advance, after a long period of somewhat moderate rates, being quite characteristic of the Auckland market, and also of the limited knowledge our stock-owners appear to possess respecting the supply of fat stock available in each season, which is really the cause of these extreme fluctuations. For many months, in fact, during most of the past winter, fat stock, especially sheep, were low enough to satisfy the most exacting butcher, bub with the partial exhaustion of supplies and continuance of demand a record jump in values took place, prices being, at present, as unduly high as they were unduly low up to, say, the end of July. The result has been that many graziers who were not able to carry their stock right through sold them at lower rates than was justified by the actual number of fat stock available in the district at that time, and now that prices have gone up to extreme rates the consuming public, which includes farmers, are promptly called upon to make good any loss that may fall on the butchers. It should not be impracticable for stock-owners to ascertain, through their organisation, approximately the quantity of fat stock available at the beginning of winter, and this knowledge—being accessible to both buyers and sellers—would tend to steady prices and lessen the speculative—almost gambling—element which now characterises our fab stock market.

Grain and chaff of good quality are firm :i wheat being 3d per bushel dearer, but inferior oats and chaff are easier. Produce is in good demand without alteration in value. Potatoes and onions are wanted, a good business being done in seed lines. Butter is firmer, the cold ary weather lessening supplies of dairy make, while the opening of creameries has ako diverted considerable quantities from the local market.

Poultry are still at high rates, with moderate supplies; eggs firm at Sd to 9d per doz. The fruit market is now supplied with imported lots, prices being fairly high. Orchard prospeots throughout the district are good, and local fruit is likely to come into the market early. Bacon and hams are in very brisk demand, currenb rates comparing very favourably with butchers' meat, and a big consumption is resulting. Young pigs are high in price.