1909.] The Corn Markets in February. 



963 



tinued to get all the maize it required at about 285. per qr. Freights 

 are very low, 15. 4<2. to is. 6d. per qr,, but even is. 4^. makes 275. 

 up to 285. 4^., and with landing charges to at least 29s. on the London 

 market. At Liverpool maize hardened a little as the month progressed, 

 and our chief maize exchange closed at 55. Sd. per cental for American, 

 ys. 6d. for fine Cinquantina, 55. nd. for Argentine, 55. yd. for Russian 

 (rather poor Caucasian), 55. md. for Roumanian and Bulgarian. No 

 Canadian, South African, or Indian was on offer. 



Pulse. — Buyers came forward with increased freedom as the cold 

 continued, and at the end of the month a thoroughly good retail business 

 was passing. It seems not unlikely that the spring sowing of beans 

 and peas would be profitable, as these staples are among the few against 

 which the pressure of imports is diminishing. Prices made included 

 365. per 532 lb. for fine heavy English beans, 355. for Maple peas, 

 335. 6d. for Dun peas, 345. for Chinese peas, 395. for white Canadian 

 peas in London. At Liverpool, Russian peas from Odessa were a 

 feature at 65. lod. per cental. 



Oil Seeds. — Argentina in February shipped 948,000 qrs. of linseed, 

 so that the buyers had the best of the market, and were able to secure 

 seed at a material decline before the month closed. The weakness of 

 Argentine shippers, however, surprised a good many. It had not been 

 thought that under 405. would be taken even to clear large cargoes. 

 India offers to ship her new crop in May at 425., but it can scarcely 

 be said that the hands of Argentine sellers have been forced. Cottonseed, 

 owing to good shipments from Egypt, fell 75. 6d. per ton on the month, 

 and closed at ^7 125. 6d. The fall in the price of oil seeds is welcome 

 to farmers, who every year use more in the form of cake for fattening 

 stock. 



Farm Seeds. — Large quantities of inferior quality red cloverseed have 

 been put on sale, and " prices to clear " have ranged from 305. to 405. 

 per cwt. only. The best English has made about 6$s., while very good 

 Chilian has arrived on sale at 555. per cwt. Good cocksfoot is in 

 request, especially heavy seed, 22 to 24 lb. to the bushel. Inferior cocks- 

 foot seldom pays to use. There is also a good demand for Festuca 

 pratensis, but it bears so great a resemblance to the seed of common 

 perennial ryegrass that it is nearly always wisest to buy through one 

 of the recognised seed firms. 



Minor Staples. — Rice (Bassein) at 75. per cwt., and rice meal and 

 bran at 55. to 6s. per cwt., according to fineness of grist, attract 

 attention, and there is also a good sale of cornflour (maize flour) and 

 maize meal at 8s. to 95. per cwt. for the former and 6s. to ys. for the 

 latter. The use of carob (locust bean) meal at 75. per cwt. is increasing, 

 and deservedly, for the food- fruit of this Eastern tree is not only whole- 

 some in itself, but a good appetiser. The price is not at all high, even as 

 a food. The wintry weather in February helped the sale of oatmeal, 

 which made from 24s. for Irish and Canadian, mostly sold per 240 lb. 

 sack, to 38s. for the finest Scotch, a sack of which weighs 280 lb. 



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