DO Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



described as quite useful, it is still very plain. The Loudon market 

 is at the moment full up with larg-e supplies of imported meat, and 

 it is only witli difficulty that the maximum prices can be realized for 

 the very best quality. The following are the averai^-e prices ruling- 

 for imported frozen beef : — - 



Brazilian: Hinds, 6s. 8d. to 7s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb.; fores, 



3s. 8d. to 4s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb. 

 South African : Hinds, 6s. 8d. to 7s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb. ; 



fores, 4s. 4d. to 5s. 4d. per stone of 8 lb. 

 Argentine: Hinds, 7s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb.; fores, 5s. 8d. per 



stone of 8 lb. 

 New Zealand: Hinds, 7s. to 7s'. 8d. per stone of 8 lb.; fores, 



5s. to 5s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb. 

 Australian : Hinds, 7s. to 7s. 8d. per stone of 8 Jb. ; fores, 



5s. to 5s. 8d. per stone of 8 lb. 

 New Zealand and Australian sheep and lambs, 7s. per stone. 



From Monday, 2nd February, the price of imported beef will be 

 reduced by 2d. per lb. 



Drugs. — The first drug auction of the year was held on 15th 

 January, when various South African products were offered. 



Aloes. — Sixty-nine cases were catalogued, but only 16 cases were 

 offered. These were all sold. The balance of what was catalogued, 

 ex "Durham Castle," could not be landed in time to be sampled for 

 sale. Prices were decidedly dearer; fair to good hard bright selling 

 at 78s. to 80s., whilst hard but rather drossy brought 77s., with one 

 case hard bright but mixed part livery 73s. per cwt. 



Since the last sales there has been a good demand at steadily 

 advancing prices, "best" having been sold at 77s. 6d. to 80s. 



With regard to c.i.f. business I am informed by the brokers 

 that very little has been done owing to shippers not being in a position 

 to make offers. The last price paid was 57s. 6d. per cwt, c.i.f. London, 

 but in their opinion 60s. could be obtained to-day, as buyers are asking 

 for offers. 



Buchu. — A fair business has taken place at very satisfactory 

 prices. Most of what has recently arrived has now been sold. Present 

 values will, no doubt, be maintained until supplies of the new crop 

 arrive on the London market, and at the present time it is very 

 difficult to estimate what the prices will be for the new season's crop. 

 Brokers are inclined to the opinion ihat prices might fall. 



Guaza. — Very slow trade, with pi-actically no demand. Eighty- 

 one packages offered and all withdrawn, there being no bids of any 

 sort. 



Argol. — Seventy-four packages (Lees) offered aiid withdrawn, 

 there being no demand for low-testing quality. Good quality (Argol) 

 remains in good demand. Fair to good grey and Avhite, 100s. to 105s. ; 

 brownish or good pink, 85s. to 95s. per cwt. 



Quince Seed. — In auction nothing offered, but brokers state that 

 a c.i.f. offer at about 3s. would probably lead to business. 



Liquorice Root. — Not any offered, but in fair demand. 



Myrtle Berry Wa^.— -Present value \s rather uncertain. Brokers 

 quote fair quality, 130s. per cwt. 



