872 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



the sales there has been a slight improvement, and a small number of wet-salted 

 Johannesburg hides have changed hands at 12d. Dry and dry-salted have been 

 neglected. Prices are quite nominal, best heavy dry hides are worth 18d., dry- 

 salted from IGJd. to 17d. 



Goat and Sheep Skins. — 329,000 Skins were offered by auction on the 1.5th, 

 but nothing was disposed of, although about 10,000 skins have since been sold by 

 private treaty. Brokers report that there was no general demand for any class 

 of skin. Sales were confined to kidskins and dry damaged goat, also a small 

 line of medium goatskins of mixed character. In addition, a few sea damaged 

 were cleared. 



Of 180,581 Angora skins offered, 233 only were sold, comprising a sample 

 of extra light Capetown at 13d. and heavy Algoa Bay at 12d. per lb. 



Wattle Bark. — The market for this article is very dull, and inquiries from 

 the home trade are few and far between, whilst the Continent has also shown 

 no interest. The present value of ground bark is approximately £15 ex store, 

 whilst chopped is offered at £14. There are large stocks of chopped bark,, 

 but supplies of ground are somewhat short and are being fii'mly held. 



Ostrich Feathers. — Since the sales the market has continued steady, and 

 some lines of all descriptions have been disjiosed of. There is no improvement 

 in prices, and buyers have not been anxious to purchase, except for actual 

 requirements. The uncertainty regarding the foreign exchange, particularly 

 the French, and the threatened coal strike, have had an adverse influence on 

 feathers as on other articles. However, with more settled conditions we may 

 experience a better demand, as there is certainly a feeling that in the coming 

 fashions ostrich feathers will take a prominent part. 



Maize and Maize Meal. — During the month a fairly large business was done 

 both in South African maize and meal. South African No. 2 AVhite Flat and 

 Rhodesian made 82s. 6d. and 82s. per quarter for September-October ship- 

 ment. The demand for maize meal was quite good, and up to £19 per ton was 

 secured for white. During the past week, however, the market was in a very 

 weak state. South African No. 2 White Flat was offered at 80s. without resiilt, 

 and offers of £18. 10s. for meal failed to interest buj'ors. Generally speak- 

 ing, the market has slumped owing to the weakness of the American market. 

 Argentine maize has fallen in symiiathy and is quoted at 62s. 6d. per quarter 

 for September-October shipment, and 61s. 6d. October-November. 



Dried Fruit.- — Although a fairly good business was done in South African 

 raisins at the beginning of the month at prices up to 127s. 6d. per cwt. duty 

 paid, the market demand has slackened off considerably, and trade is ratheV 

 dull. At the auction sales held on the 5th October South African raisins, in 

 boxes, only secured 100s. per cwt., duty paid. Valencia (new crop) are quoted 

 at 130s. to 140s. per cwt. 



Crayfish.- — Supplies are reported to be short, and brokers consider that well- 

 known South African packs are worth about 107s. 6d. to 110s. c.i.f. for 

 96 i-lb. tins. 



Fggs. — The market is very weak, duo to the arrival of large quantities from 

 all sources of supply, consequently prices have declined. The following are the 

 present prices ruling: — Argentine, 34s.; Canadian 34s. to 35s.: Irish, 38s. to 

 40s. ; Danish, 39s. to 42s. ; English, 45s. to 46s. per great hundred (120). 



Cotton. — Ameiican Spot. — For the week ended 1st October brokers report 

 a small amount of business on the spot; sales 19,000 bales. The basis for cotton 

 fully middling and over is fairly steady, but for the lower grades cotton is 

 pressed for sale, and low offers woald be entertained. For new crop cotton, 

 the basis is distinctly lower for forward deliveries ordinary 1| in. Texas 

 fully middling and good middling being offered on the 29th at 200 on and 45Q 

 on respectively. On the 23rd ult., September " futures " closed at 19.35d. and 

 October at 19.05d. October " futures " closed at 17.02d. The highest for 

 October was 19.20d., and the lowest 16.30d. 



Cotton Seed. — The market for cotton seed has been somewhat neglected, 

 and Bombay seed to Hull September-October and October-November .shipments 

 are quoted at £15 sellers. Egyptian f.a.q. new crop to London September- 

 October shipment is quoted at £19. 10s., whilst the same shipments to Hull are 

 offered at £19. 5s. Several parcels of South African cotton seed are at present 

 in store, but so far no sale has been effected. The value of this seed on the 

 ba.sis of Egyptian is probably about £13 c.i.f. 



