1908.] 



6/ 



providing that all maize for export from South Africa, whether (1) handed 

 to the Administrator for disposal through Agents in London, or (2) for disposal 

 otherwise than through the Government' Agent, but the Government under- 

 taking the duties of Shipping Agent at the port of shipment (except Natal), 

 will be graded by the Government Exporting Officer at the port of shipment, 

 and maize not coming up to the standard will be Government marked (below 

 grade). Consignments showing the slightest sign of weevil, either wholly or 

 in part, will not be accepted for conveyance, and if found to be in a weevily 

 condition before shipment will not be exported. In the case of maize for 

 export over sea, through private agents at the respective ports, it is provided 

 that all such maize must pass through the Government grader, otherwise full 

 ordinary rates will apply. {Board of Trade Journal, 26th March, 1908.) 



Hop-Growing in California. — The Board have received through the Foreign 

 Office a despatch from Mr. Consul-General Hearn stating that the Sonoma 

 County branch of the Pacific Hop-Growers' Association held a meeting on 

 14th March, at which it was agreed that the members should reduce their 

 acreage under hops for the present season for the benefit of the future of the 

 industry. Hop-growers in certain valleys in Shasta County are discouraged 

 by the outlook for hops, and a number of them announce their intention of 

 rooting-up their plantations and devoting the land to more profitable crops. 



REVIEW OF MARKET PRICES IN MARCH. 

 A. T. Matthews. 



In presenting a genera! review of the markets of the month, 

 based on the quotations and information collected by the Board's 

 market reporters,* it will be perhaps convenient to adopt the 

 plan of treating the subject in the first instance week by 

 week, and to conclude with some remarks summarising- the 

 whole position. v 



The markets selected for the purpose of the weekly returns 

 of prices are chosen not only for their individual importance, 

 but also for their geographical position, the object being, by a 

 fair distribution of centres, to obtain a comprehensive survey 

 of the trade of the whole country. It may therefore happen 

 that occasional reference may be made to transactions at a 

 comparatively small market which may be representative of 

 a large agricultural district having within its area several 

 similar market centres. 



First Week. — The first week in March found trade in fat cattle 

 remarkably steady, values being fully equal to those of 



* The return of market prices issued by the Board is to be obtained 

 from Wyman & Sons, Ltd., Fetter Lane, E.C. ; Oliver & Boyd, Edin- 

 burgh ; or E. Ponsonby, 116, Grafton Street, Dublin. Price, id. (by 

 post \\d. ) or a copy will be sent regularly as issued, by the publishers, for 

 three, six or twelve months, on payment of a subscription, including postage, 

 at the rate of 6s. 6d. per annum. 



