x62 The Corn Markets in April. [may, 



quarter. The inquiry for seed oats was brisk from the 5th to 19th of 

 the month, and many are of opinion that over an average area has 

 been sown. The market at present is poorly supplied with New Zealand 

 and other heavy oats from overseas, and this despite the excellent prices 

 which the exchanges are quoting. At the end of April ordinary Mark 

 Lane prices were: Scots Oats, 21s. to 235.; English, 195. to 215.; 

 Russian, 175. 6d. to iSs. ; and Argentine, 175. 3d. to 175. 6d. per quarter. 



Maize. — Imports probably were little above a moiety of require- 

 ments, and the supply on passage at the end of the month was at least 

 20 per cent, below the average. Holders, therefore, had progressively 

 the best of the situation, and there was nothing in the month's ship- 

 ments to stop an advancing market. North America sent off 467,000 qr., 

 South America 195,000 qr., Russia 338,000 qr., and Roumania 298,000 qr., 

 but the demand from the buying countries could probably have taken 

 fully two million quarters. Prices at the end of April were distinctly 

 high, say 31s. per qr. for American, 325. for Russian, 355. for Argen- 

 tine, and 36s. for Natal. These prices for prompt delivery of the actual 

 grain were in sharp contrast to the free offers to ship new crop 

 Argentine in June at 5s. 5^. per cental (265. per qr.). 



Pulse. — British beans of the 1907 crop are still available, but, of 

 course, in very small quantities only; 375. per 512 lb. is about the 

 price. Beans of the 1908 crop command 355. per qr. The arrival of 

 nearly 25,000 qr. of beans from Manchuria on the 26th was an event 

 of the London trade. The price of these beans varies from 305. to 345. 

 per qr., and their feeding value is high. Peas have been making 375. 

 for Maples, 355. 6d. for Dun, English, and for the imported descriptions 

 345. (Chinese), 385. (Canadian), 935. (Indian White), and 455. (New 

 Zealand). Sorghum at 255. to 265. per 480 lb. is cheap, but Dari at 

 305. to 365. for the same weight is not a very good bargain. 



Oilseeds. — India is reported to have a fair crop of linseed, certainly 

 a material improvement on the poor yield of 1908. The price asked, 

 435. per 410 lb. or thereabouts is not low. Argentina is shipping steadily at 

 425. 6d. per 416 lb., always keeping as far as may be just " to the 

 good " of India, a sixpence less money for a trifle the heavier quarter. 

 Rapeseed is decidedly cheaper on the month, 415. commanding fair 

 Indian. Cottonseed at the end of March was worth about £7 10s. 

 per ton. This price, as was remarked last month, " soon brings in 

 buyers from different quarters." The past few weeks have seen the 

 result of this in a steadily increasing inquiry, and a closing price for 

 April 30th of cash. There is a small but steady sale for poppyseed at 

 495. to 505. per quarter. 



Farm Seeds. — Business from the 1st to the 19th was dull, but a fairly 

 active period succeeded. Prices ruling at the end of the month were 

 625. for the best English red cloverseed, 465. for good, 725. for cow- 

 grass, 615. for the best English white cloverseed, 84s. for alsyke, 305. 

 for fine trefoil, 48s. for suckling clover, and 775. for Lucerne; all per 

 cwt. Canaryseed made 38s. per 464 lb. for Argentine, and was rather 

 dearer on the month. 



Minor Staples. — Poultry mixtures have risen with the increase in 

 the cost of their main ingredients. A good mixture now commands fully 

 22s. 6d. per 336 lb. The best crushed mixtures sold at Mark Lane 

 realised £j per ton, Some recent rates of pea meal have been at £8 10s, 



