92 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



REVIEW OE THE CORN TRADE 



DURING THE PAST MONTH. 



The past month closed the year's account with 

 little satisfaction to the farmer, as the rates 

 were brought to a lower range than during any 

 month previous, viz., 40s. 2d. per qr. for wheat, 

 tlie further decline in prices having been about Is. 

 per qr., notwithstanding the temporary rise pro- 

 duced in France by the late measure of Govern- 

 ment, which seems eventually rather to have de- 

 termined holders to send on here in preference to a 

 subjection to Imperial decrees. The much-needed 

 suj)ply of rain has gradually fallen, and given a 

 good soaking to the surface as well as fed the 

 ponds, but the springs yet remain low. Nothing 

 unfavourable to tillage or the autumnal sowings 

 has yet occurred, the young wheat generally look- 

 ing healthy and strong, but the forward pieces are 

 in some danger of over-luxuriance from the exces- 

 sive mildness of tlie temperature, as well as the 

 ravages of vermin. Future prospects have become 

 the great question with growers, and some would 

 propose legislative help ; but this quarter has always 

 been of so doubtful a character, and terminated 

 with such disappointment, that we are ready to 

 adopt the suggestion, " Deliver me from my 

 friends," rather than seek Parliamentary aid, and 

 prefer looking round for the chances of improve- 

 ment to the continual commercial changes that 

 occur, first taking care that no fault or deficiency 

 attaches to individual management. Still, when 

 old burdens exist under new regulations, justice 

 requires a prompt and effective relief. It would 

 appear that the abundant crop of 1857, both here 

 and in France, has still left its eflFects, though fol- 

 lowed by only an average yield, and the heavy im- 

 ports that have since obtained have weighed on the 

 markets to that extent, that store-room has become 

 difficult. The granary power of London is estima- 

 ted at about 1 ,000,000 qrs. of room ; we are, there- 

 fore, provided to this extent with grain of all sorts. 

 Oats and other spring corn may equal 400,000, 

 and wheat make up the rest. This, while the 

 country markets are well provided, may continue 

 to constitute a pressure against ])rices ; but as the 

 season advances, and the enormous consumption 

 going on by cattle-feeding, malting, and distillation 

 begins to tell, the fact that only a fortnight or 

 month's consumption is in store will exercise its 

 pro])er influence, and when once markets tighten 

 the holders in granary will not be slack in their 

 demand, in order to make up more favourable ac- 



counts, especially as America and the Baltic con- 

 tinue a range of prices which for all practical pur- 

 poses is ju'ohibitory. The New Year, therefore, 

 may yet obliterate many of the sad chapters of the 

 Old, and again present the nation with the scene of 

 agriculture and commerce united in prosperity. 

 With this ho;)e we heartily present our compliments 

 to our friends. 



The following will show the prices yet quoted in 

 foreign markets, and while farmers complain of 

 the result of their labours, they will see that im- 

 porters have fared little better than they. In Paris, 

 fair samples of wheat are to be bought at 37s. to 

 39s. ; first quality red at Bordeaux was 39s. per qr. 

 free on board ; Upper Loire at Nantes, 36s. 6d. 

 free on board ; Mayenne white, 41s. 6d. f. o. b. ; 

 Lucon, 40s. free on board. The average price 

 in Belgium was about 42s. 6d. per qr. on wheat ; 

 pale white wheat at Rotterdam, 44s. ; Polish, 53s.; 

 fine red Mecklenburg at Hambro' was quoted at 

 4r)s. The best wheat at Berlin was held at about 

 40s. per qr. ; high-mixed at Danzic about 49s. to 

 50s. per qr. Odessa prices left no margin for 

 business with this country, Polish being worth 

 about 38s., Sandomirka 40s., and Ghirka 36s. 6d. 

 per qr. The ports of AzofF quoted 30s. to 35s. per 

 qr. At Galatz the rates were about 24s. to 30s. 

 per qr. The demand for Spain, at Algiers, had 

 raised prices of hard and soft wheat to 47s. 6d. 

 per qr. New York exports were almost nothing, 

 holders there relying partly on the closing of the 

 canal navigation for the maintenance of prices : 

 prime white Kentucky wheat had sold at 1 dol. 

 55c. per bushel (51s. 6d. per qr.), for consumption; 

 fair white Southern, at 1 dol. 41 c. (47s. per qr.); 

 the low sort called Milwaukie Club was worth 

 1 dol. 9 c. (36s. Od. per qr.) France, therefore, 

 which in ordinary years, like Britain, is an importing 

 country, by its low prices and i)roximity chiefly 

 influences the British markets ; but before the sea- 

 son has ended she may resume her station, and be 

 well nigh drained of her stores, notwithstanding 

 the eflfbrts of her government. 



The first Monday in London opened on the back 

 of large supplies, both English and foreign ; this, 

 with the mild weather prevaihng, which aflfected 

 the samples on show, made an unusually heavy mar- 

 ket, though there were not large supj)lies during 

 the morning from Kent and Essex. There was a 

 good deal unsold, and the parcels that were quit- 



