618 The Corn Markets in September. [oct., 



Flour. — The Bakers' Exhibition at Islington was remarkable for a 

 very large competition in " Standard," or 80 per cent, bread, and also 

 for a very extensive display of a number of patent loaves and cakes 

 in which the percentage of the rougher grists was considerable. Some 

 clue to public consumption of different forms of flour is to be found in 

 the rise in prices for the less finely ground. These used to range from 

 is. to 55. below the price of Town Households, but the best now 

 exceed Town Households in price. The top-price of London flour 

 has fallen is. on the month, from 33s. to 325., but other sorts for 

 cash are not more than a net 6d. down as a rule. The credit and 

 delivery prices have eased at Mark Lane and elsewhere — not at Mark 

 Lane only — about is. on the month. American flour has been dull, 

 while Canadian for future shipment and Australian on spot have 

 favoured buyers. There were 546,000 sacks shipped by America, in- 

 cluding Canada, during the month, and 222,000 sacks, a fair average 

 quantity, were on passage on the 30th. 



Barley. — Popular judgment at Mark Lane, Norwich, Lynn, Bury 

 St. Edmunds, Ipswich, Reading, Newbury, Canterbury, and many 

 other markets affirms that this is the best barley year for quality within 

 living memory. This can hardly be brought to proof, but the opinion 

 is worth recording. The great brewing firms have been extremely 

 active, and the quantities of new barley sold during September were 

 probably unprecedented. The new barley is believed by brewers to be 

 likely to keep uncommonly well, and this naturally adds to their 

 readiness to buy promptly. About 405. is paid for good 448 lb. samples, 

 and a most gratifying feature of the year is the large number of 

 farmers who have hardly grown for the maltster, but find themselves 

 with something to submit to him. This, however, diminishes the 

 offerings of home-grown barley to the buyers for feed, and all sorts 

 of grinding grain are dearer on the month. Nothing, either home- 

 grown or from Russia, is to be had under 245. per 400 lb., or 6s. per 

 cental. Shipments of the month were 4,360,000 qr. from Russia and 

 555,000 qr. from Europe S.E. The Russian total is unique, but is 

 due to eagerness of buyers, who insisted on early shipment. The crop 

 itself in Russia is regarded as a good average without being anything 

 extraordinary. On the 30th over 600,000 qr. of barley were on passage 

 to Great Britain. 



Oats. — Excellent quality marks the new oats, in which a good trade 

 has passed. They are so dry that they can safely be fed to horses at 

 once. The price for 336 lb. averages about a guinea, and is remark- 

 ably uniform throughout England. In North Britain 225. to 225. 6d. 

 is demanded, and oatmeal, instead of falling in price as is the September 

 custom, has advanced 15. per cwt. in some cases, and 6d. generally. 

 Common oats from Russia and Argentina have been held for 185. to 

 185. 6d. per 304 lb., a price which has checked business. Shipments for 

 September were 132,000 qr. from Canada; 200,000 qr. from Argentina; 

 738,000 qr. from Russia; and 150,000 qr. from Europe S.E. Non- 

 shippers are the U.S., Scandinavia, and Australasia. The supply on 

 passage on 30th was 270,000 qr. 



Maize. — The demand has rather exceeded the supply, and as on 

 the 30th only 180,000 qr. were on. passage continued dearness seems 

 for some time ahead to be all but inevitable. The new crops are ripe 



