74 



The Corn Markets in March. 



[APRIL, 



in quantity at 25s. to 26s. for all-English, and 325. to 335. for best 

 patents from millers noted for a clever use of the best imported wheat 

 to strengthen the home produce. Canada is shipping very fine flour 

 at a thirty shilling level, and of America's 270,000 sacks shipped in 

 March the proportion of Canadian was high. There are now 168,000 

 sacks on passage. 



Barley. — Both quality and prices have been unsatisfactory. Some 

 fine Chilian came to hand in the middle of the month, and was at once 

 absorbed, while Californian brewing grade comes in very usefully. The 

 month's shipments were 872,000 qrs. from Russia and 74,000 qrs. from 

 Europe S.E., but the good barley exports from California, Chile, and 

 Anatolia were quite small. Chile is expected to be a freer shipper in 

 April and May, but at present only 300,000 qrs. of barley are on passage 

 from all countries. 



Oats. — Demand is decidedly better as compared with a month ago, 

 and at 5s. per cental the competing foreign sorts do not lack buyers. 

 The use of oatmeal for pigs and poultry is said to be larger to-day than 

 it has ever been before. Statements of this kind can neither be verified 

 nor ignored, but it may be noted that despite imports, in thirty weeks, of 

 4,087,000 qrs. (against 2,738,000 qrs. last season), the warehouses are not 

 over-stocked. Many excellent judges think that oats from May to 

 August will be dearer for all sorts. Shipments for March were 444,000 

 qrs. from South America and 523,000 qrs. from Russia. 



Maize. — Prices have declined in a somewhat unexpected manner, 

 and 255. was not exceeded for American in the week before Good 

 Friday. The last two days of the month, however, saw 6d. recovery at 

 Mark Lane and Bristol respectively. The new Argentine crop is offered 

 for June shipment at 245. gd. per qr., but this will not allow of August 

 sales in England at much below 265. per qr. Many expect that maize in 

 June, if not in May, will improve on currencies, but the consumption of 

 Indian corn at that date is at its lowest, and the abundance of cheap 

 Russian oats and barley seems this season to have affected inquiry 

 generally. March shipments were 434,000 qrs. from North America, 

 127,000 qrs. from Russia, and 160,000 qrs. from Europe S.E. There 

 are only 330,000 qrs. on passage ; which is much below the average. 



Oilseeds. — The dearness of oilseeds continues. March closed with 

 635. per 416 lb. paid for Indian linseed, and 615. for Argentine. Cotton- 

 seed at 10s. 6d. per cwt. for Egyptian was very stiffly held. There were 

 142,000 qrs. of linseed and 53,000 tons of cottonseed on passage. 



Oilcake. — Linseed cake, London made, was obtainable at the end of 

 March for 95. per cwt. to large wholesale buyers. This was 3d. decline 

 from February. Russian at Ss. gd. per cwt. was in freer offer. The 

 price of cottonseed cake has risen 3d. per cwt., 65. 6d. per cwt. being 

 about the lowest cash price for Egyptian. Where London make (the 

 best) is required, 75. 3d. per cwt. is demanded, and Js. was being 

 obtained. 



Various Feeding Stuffs. — Beet sugar has risen lod. per cwt. on the 

 month, and 25. 4^. on the three months, prices being January 1st, 

 125. 6d. ; February 28th, 145.; March 31st, 145. iod. The tendency in 

 other sweet fattening foods is uniformly upward at the present moment. 

 Owing to news of a good crop in India, rice is a little easier to buy. 

 Bran, sharps, and middlings have been obtainable at moderate prices, 



