378 



Journal op the Department of agriculture. 



THE OVERSEA MARKET. 



Markkt PiucKs OF South African Produce, caiu/k]) by the Trade 

 Commissioner, London, on the IIth March, 1921. 



Wool. — At the sales dosed on the 5th March, 3139 bales of South African 

 wool were offered, but, owing to the absence of American support, prices for 

 the better sorts declined 15 per cent., and for others slightly less. The follow- 

 ing are the prices quoted per lb. : Snow-whites, extra superior, 2s. 3d. to 

 2s. 9d. ; superior, Is. lid. to 2s. 2d.; medium, Is. 7cl. to Is. lOtl. ; inferior, Is. 2d. 

 to Is. 6d. Greasi) wool, combing, long, 9d. to Is. 4d. ; medium, Gid. to lOd. ; 

 clothing, light, 7d. to lOd. ; heavy, l^d. to C^d. The Belgian price depends upon 

 the London sales; no business was done owing to exchange difficulties. 



Mohair. — The market remains unchanged. 



Hides. — The market remains unchanged. Owing to the embargo on the 

 export of local hides, it is impossible to sell to Belgium, where the equivalent 

 to the South African best salted hide is being sold at SJd. to 4d. per lb. 



Skins. — At the auction on the 4th March, 540,000 Cape Merino sheep 

 skins were offered, but only 10 per cent, sold, the demand being poor. The 

 price, both for sound and damaged combing wool skins, was Id. per lb. lower, 

 and for long wool skins 2d. per lb. lower. Lambs and coarse wooUed skins 

 declined Id. per lb. Of the common Cape glovers' sheep skins offered, only 

 12 per cent, were sold and at slightly lower prices than the previous sale. 



Ostrich Feathers. — The sales have been postponed until April. There is a 

 more hopeful tone noticeable owing to American inquiry. 



Natal Wattle Bark and Extract. — The market is dull. 



Maize. — For March-April shipments, 44s. 6d. (per quarter of 480 lb., c.i.f.) 

 is quoted, and there is a disijiclination to buy far in advance. La Plata maize, 

 May-June shipments, are quoted at 39s. 



Maize Meal. — There is little business. A small parcel was sold at £9. 5s. 

 per ton, c.i.f., March-April shipment for Liverpool. 



Cotton. — The Trade Commissioner advises that the price is low, being for 

 Fully Middling (Liverpool standard, ec[ual to Middling, American standard), 

 future, 7.35d. March, 7.55d. May, 7.73d. July, 7.92d. October. 



Sunic Farm Huihiiiius, Elscnburg. 



