690 



The Corn Markets in October. 



[NOV., 



Flour. — Looking over the prices quoted in the review of September 

 as prevailing- on the 30th of that month, not one item is found to 

 have changed thirty-one days later. Millers, however, have not had 

 good markets, bakers liave purchased reluctantly, and November 

 began with an apprehension of lower prices having to be accepted 

 soon. The arrival of severe weather, it was felt, might remove all 

 need to take less money, while a continuance of October mildness 

 would clearly render it necessary. The receipts of American flour 

 since harvest have been uncommonly light, but there are increased 

 arrivals of Central European. America in October shipped 617,000 

 sacks, and 248,000 sacks were on passage on the 31st. There will, 

 therefore, in the ordinary course of trade, be increased offers of 

 American flour during the next few weeks. 



Barley. — The important exhibitions of new malting barley at Bland- 

 ford on the 12th, and at Islington on the 15th, failed to produce as 

 good a show as had been hoped for. At Islington the West Country 

 barley obtained the championship for the third year in succession. 

 At Mark Lane the samples shown on the 24th and 31st were more 

 encouraging; some lots were priced at 385., and were of the best 

 bright ale type. There have been good supplies of what is called 

 "bold" or "robust" poultry barley, grain weighing 448 lb. to the 

 quarter, but lacking the thin skin of true malting, and show- 

 ing, when cut transversely, those small maculations which affect in- 

 juriously the eventual colour of the ale. This barley, at 255. to 26s. 

 per qr., can only pay if a large yield to the acre be secured; such 

 yields, however, are not rare. The cheap feeding barley of Eastern 

 Europe has continued to find buyers at 185. or thereabouts. Russia 

 in October shipped 3,045,000 qrs., Europe S.E. 322,000 qrs. Since Sep- 

 tember 1st 315,000 qrs. of Californian brewing barley have been 

 shipped, and of the 630,000 qrs. of barley on passage on the 31st, 

 340,000 qrs. were Californian. Other shipments were 250,000 qrs. of 

 Russian, &c, and 40,000 qrs. of Anatolian and North African. 



Oats. — Great disappointment has been experienced over the quality 

 of the new corn shown at Mark Lane, Peterborough, Chelmsford, and 

 other leading markets. Whether farmers are keeping back their good 

 oats remains to be seen, but some very low averages, many below 

 165., several below 155., and four below 14s. per 312 lb., have been 

 recorded at the statute markets. Cheap foreign (304 lb.) oats have been 

 offered at 135. 6d. to 145., whether Argentine or Russian in origin. 

 Demand has been poor. Shipments for October were 162,000 qrs. from 

 La Plata, 1,118,000 qrs. from Russia, and 78,000 qrs. from Europe 

 S.E. The supply on passage on the 31st, 350,000 qrs., was rather 

 above the average. 



Maize. — The United States are credited with securing a large and 

 fine crop, the husking of which is now in progress. Prices for January 

 delivery in London opened on the 3rd at 225., fell by the 17th to a 

 guinea, and closed on the 31st at a sovereign. These quotations, 

 though what are known as " futures," must be distinguished from 

 what is called "the speculative market," for the buyers want the corn 

 and will take delivery. A certain amount of speculation has also pre- 

 vailed, but not much. Argentine maize has become difficult to place 



