r9ii.] 



The Corn Markets in April. 



manure, and threshing, and little or no time was lost by men through 

 bad weather. The supply of and demand for labourers were usually 

 about equal, but some scarcity of men was reported in the Welton and 

 Spilsby (Lincolnshire) and Orsett (Essex) Rural Districts, while there 

 was a surplus of men in the Newmarket (Cambridgeshire), and the 

 Henstead and Thetford (Norfolk) Rural Districts, and in part of the 

 Thingoe (Suffolk) Rural District. 



Southern and South-Western Counties. — Hoeing, carting manure, 

 planting potatoes, cleaning the land for root crops, threshing, and 

 hedging provided a fair amount of work for extra labourers, and the 

 weather being unusually fine, most men were in regular employment 

 throughout the month. Several correspondents mentioned that there 

 was less hoeing to be done than usual on account of the dry weather, 

 but there was no marked surplus of labourers in any of the districts 

 reported on. Men for permanent situations were reported as scarce 

 In a number of districts, particularly where the work involved Sunday 

 duty, like milking. 



THE CORN MARKETS IN APRIL. 

 C. Kains-Jackson. 



The depression which marked the grain trade up to the close of 

 March continued until after the Easter holidays, but trade was very 

 active in the last week of the month. The business for actual con- 

 sumption was also much increased, and prices were altered in holders' 

 favour for nearly all the principal staples. 



Wheat. — Many local markets have continued to record an average 

 a little below thirty shillings, but London has shown improvement in 

 value, closing half a crown above the thirty shilling level. India, with 

 a larger crop than in 19 10, has not hurried shipments forward, 

 421,000 qr. constituting the April clearances for 191 1, as compared 

 with 504,000 qr. for April, 19 10. The average price is about 355. per 

 492 lb. Canadian wheat has been forthcoming in fair quantity, the 

 closing price being 38s. 6d. for best quality. The wheat shipments of North 

 America were 665,000 qr., but these returns do not distinguish Cana- 

 dian from United States exports. The large supply of Australian has 

 kept that sort from more than gd. advance, 375. against 36s. 3d., but 

 Russian, American red, and also Argentine have been is. to 15. 3d. 

 dearer. The Russian shipments for April were 1,859,000 qr., and 

 Europe S.E. sent off 677,000 qr. ; total for this region, 2,536,000 qr. In 

 April, 1910, Russia shipped 2,731,000 qr., Europe S.E. 190,000 qr. ; 

 total 2,921,000 qr. 



Flour. — Standard flour has continued to sell well, the sale helping 

 in the disposal of much flour which was satisfactory in condition and 

 •stamina but below an average in colour. The closing prices of April 

 were 325. for top-price American, 315. for top-price London, and also 

 Canadian, 295. for Town whites and best Country, 26s. for No. 1 

 Households, 245. 6d. for No. 2 Households, 275. for London Standard, 

 24s. 9<i. for Country Standard, and 405. for Hungarian. It will be 

 noted that the last-named top-quality pastry sort is decidedly dearer, 



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