700 



Journal of the Department op Agriculture. 



MOHAIR. 



The market has for some time been in a very unsatisfactory position and prices have 

 gradually declined. Buyers at the Ports are at present without orders and expect a further 

 drop in values. The following are nominal quotations :— 



Summer firsts- 

 Mixed hair 

 Basuto hair 



d. d. 



18 to 20 



1.-) „ 18 



\r, „ IS 



Winter kids, special 

 Winter hair, averaire 

 Coloured haii- 



d. d. 



27 to 32 



U „ 16 



fi .. 7 



HIDES AND SKINS. 



There is little demand for hides and skins and prices have declined accordingly. 

 Towards the end of the month the market became somewhat easier, with goatskins firm, and 

 the following prices were obtained : — 



Sound long woolled 

 Sound short 

 Damaged long. . . 

 Damaged sliort 

 Sound long, lamli- 

 Damaged 

 Sound ))elts 

 Damaged 

 Coarse and (•dloiin-d 



skins 



OSTRICH FEATHERS. 



Three public sales of feathers were held in Port Elizabeth during the month, 

 viz., 2nd, 9th, and 16th August. The total quantity of feathers disposed of 

 was 8578 lb., which realized the amount of £12,154. The weight of feathers 

 withdrawn or declared "not sold" was 2400 lb., valued at £3052. 



It must be borne in mind when considering the weight and values of 

 feather's sold or " not sold " that, under present condilions, a fair proportion 

 of the goods change hands weekly amongst speculators. These goods handled by 

 speculators — as distinct from shippers — are sold and resold upon the markets, 

 which makes the totals rather misleading when considered from the producer's 

 point of view. The average price realized per pound for the three sales under 

 review was £1. 17s. lid. This price represents all lines, from primes, which 

 would probably average about £7 per lb., to th-3 very poorest of drabs, etc., 

 which would only realize about 5s. per lb. 



Prices remained comparatively steady, with the exception of the sale held 

 on the 9th, at which wings went considerably lower, while shorts were also 

 easier. At the sale on the 16th prices recovered to the level ruling at the 

 l)eginning of the month. This fall in prices may be ascribed as almost entirely 

 due to the poor average quality of the goods offered for sale. There was a very 

 large proportion of "speculators' lots" and "made-up" parcels, and competi- 

 tion on these lots is naturally always restricted. 



The rise and fall in prices during the past three years has been due, in a 

 great measure, to the speculation in ostrich feathers, and the low prices ruling 

 at present are largely due to speculators having invested at fairly high prices 

 and now unwilling to part at lower rates. In this way the same parcels of 

 feathers are continually being offered for sale with a little re-sorting and 

 changing on each occasion. 



All advices from England point towards business being very restricted 

 and prospects not too promising. The Continent is naturally handicapped by 

 exchange rates, and there would appear to be very little business taking place. 



From the farming point of view this is considered one of the worst months. 

 The pinch of the dry season is beginning to be felt, necessitating extra feeding, 

 which at present is costly. Most reports indicate that the breeding season is 

 proceeding satisfactorily, and a fairly large number of chicks are being hatched. 



