470 



FOEEIGN MARKETS. 



Wheat. — The late rains iu England liave placed tbe ground in 

 fair condition for the plow, and so far is favorable to the next wheat crop. 

 The nnfavorable weather of July had caused an excessive importation 

 of foreign wheat, causing considerable decline iu prices. British farm- 

 ers, however, show au indisposition to hurry their crops to market, 

 while holders of foreign grain are equally reluctant to accept ruling 

 prices. From these causes it was hoped, about the close of September, 

 that the downward tendency of ])rices would be checked. The English 

 provincial markets rei)ort a very slight activity, and a tendency to hold 

 over for better prices. Hull, the leading point of import for northern 

 European grain, is overstocked with foreign wheat, leaving a large 

 amount on hand for which there is no demand, except for a few fine 

 new Baltic sorts. The Scotch and Irish markets are equally inactive, 

 the foreign arrivals being generally above the demand. French holders 

 stoutly resist the downward sweep of prices. Paris yielded but 1 franc 

 per 2S0 pounds of flour during the week ending September 25, and 

 held fast to her wheat figures. The French provincial markets, how- 

 ever, were less tenacious ; 14 markets advanced during the week, 73 

 remained firm, and 110 declined, yet the average rates were but slightly 

 depreciated. Belgium markets were calm, the decline having been 

 arrested. The same may be said of Holland. In Germany, Hamburg 

 was firm, while other German markets showed an upward tendency. 

 The previous reduction in prices had caused a falling oft' in supplies, 

 farmers preferring to wait for better j^rices, especially as their crops 

 were generally housed in fine condition for preservation. Dantzic, 

 however, manifested some discouragement as to the future. At Ade- 

 laide, South Australia, up to July 15, the wheat export amounted to 

 105,000 tons, or about 3,500,000 bushels, with a reserve awaiting export 

 of 78,000 tons, or 2,000,000 bushels ; but the prospects of the growing 

 crops were not remarkably good. It was thought that at least 30,000 

 tons, or 1,000,000 bushels, would be held over. A large part of the 

 • shipments were to new settlements in the Antarctic and South Pacific 

 regions. In the middle of August, however, advices unfavorable to the 

 growing crops of England stimulated inquiry for wheat and tended to 

 enlarge the export. 



In England, during the week ending September 25, the sales of do- 

 mestic wheat amounted to 49,791 quarters, at 48s. Id., against 72,524 

 quarters, at 46s. Sd., during the corresponding week of 1S74. The Lon- 

 don averages during the same week were 48s. lOd. on 1,G20 quarters. 

 The imports into the United Kingdom during the previous week 

 amounted to 1,578,481 cwt. The deliveries of English wheat, then, show 

 a decline of 30 per cent, compared with the same period of the previous 

 year. The week opened in Mark Lane on moderate sui)plies of domestic, 

 with good arrivals of American and Russian. Essex and Kent white 

 wheat was quoted at 48s. to 55s. per quarter ; ditto, red, 47s. to 50s. ; 

 Norfolk, Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire red, 41s. to 50s. ; Dantzick mixed, 

 51s. to 55s. ; Kouigsberg, 48s. to 53s. ; Rostock, 46s. to 50s. ; Silesian red, 

 45s. to 50s. ; Pomeranian, Mecklenberg, and Uckermark red, 46s. to 48s.; 

 Ghirka, 45s. to 46s. ; Russian hard, 42s. to 44s. ; Saxonska, 46s. to 49s. ; 

 Danish and Holstein red, 45s. to 48s. ; American red, 44s. to 47s.; Chilian 

 white, 49s. ; Californian, 51s. ; Australian, 50s. to 55s. In Paris prices 

 ranged from 45s. to 49s. ; in Brussels old native wheat brought 49s. ; at 

 Hamburg prices remained firm at 44s., which was about the ruling rate at 



