1 909-] 



The Corn Markets in July. 



425 



Shipments for the month were 139,000 qrs. from Argentina, and 

 550,000 qrs. from Russia. 



Maize. — Traders on the London Exchanges assert that they do not 

 remember a year when the influence of the coming maize crop has been 

 greater than it has been during the past July. The crop report for the 

 1st July issued from Washington disclosed a great increase in the area 

 under maize in the United States, and at the same time showed that the 

 first six weeks of growth (the date of sowing may be averaged as mid- 

 May) had been healthy. Within a week of this document appearing, 

 the new crop, which will not be ripe before October or shippable until 

 some time after that, was on free offer at 245. for January shipment, 

 cost freight and insurance to London. During the period 2oth~3oth 

 July there were fluctuations between 23s. and 24s., but on the last day 

 of the month the opening price had re-established itself, and 245. was 

 paid. There have been considerable sales, nearly all of them of a bond- 

 fide character, which is the expression used at the " Baltic " to denote 

 that the purchaser means to take actual delivery. For prompt supply 

 ex warehouse maize has fallen to about 26s. for both round and yellow. 

 Flat is hardly to be had. July shipments were 30,000 qrs. from North 

 America, 1,965,000 qrs. from South America, 187,000 qrs. from Russia, 

 447,000 qrs. from Roumania, and 10,000 qrs. from Natal. 



Pulse. — The demand for English beans of the old crop has been 

 good, the supply small, and 395. to 405. per 532 lb. has been realised. 

 Foreign beans have been scarce, with the exception of Japanese soy 

 kinds. These have advanced rapidly in favour, and are believed to be 

 of considerable feeding value. They are sold at 75. to 75. 2d. per cwt. 

 The price of peas is not much changed. On the 30th, at Mark Lane, 

 32s. 6d. was paid for newly-arrived Manchurian. 



Oilseeds. — The price of oilcake depends upon oilseeds, so that the 

 market for the latter is much more important to our farmers than it 

 used to be, and every year sees more attention paid to it. Indian linseed 

 in London has averaged for July 475. 3d. against 445. last year, and 

 415. gd. for July, 1907. These figures are not very reassuring to 

 farmers, who are depending for a cheaper supply mainly on Argentina ; 

 the produce of that country averaged at Mark Lane in July 455. gd. 

 against 425. 3d. last year and 415. 3d. in July, 1907. Rapeseed at 421. 

 to 465. for Indian is is. cheaper on the month. Cottonseed is not usually 

 obtainable for less than 85. per cwt. Egyptian, 6s. 6d. Indian. The 

 supply on passage is less than usual. 



Farm Seeds. — The last London market of July saw the first arrival 

 of new Chilian red cloverseed. The price asked was 56s. per cwt. This 

 is moderate for fair average quality ; the new stuff, unfortunately, was 

 not up to that standard. It remains to be seen if improved quality will 

 mark the fuller arrivals of August and September. There are no 

 changes of importance to note in English farm seeds. Prices customarily 

 ruling per cwt. are 62s. to 645. for choice red cloverseed, 685. to 705. 

 for cowgrass, 645. to 66s. for white cloverseed, 82s. to 84s. for alsyke, 

 and 475. to 495. for suckling clover. Of imported articles, lucerne from 

 the South of France makes 76s. to 78s. ; trefoil, 27s. to 285. ; and New 

 Zealand cocksfoot, 805. to 82s. per cwt. 



Minor Staples. — Canaryseed is increasing in value, and English 

 farmers who have any left should be able to obtain 54s. per 464 lb. for it, 



