191 1.] The Corn Markets in August. 



527 



must have made a leap forward. Even as it is, the home average for 

 barley for the last week in August is in striking contrast to that for 

 the first week, and the value of imported feeding grain has been steadily 

 rising. The quality of new-crop barley appears to be excellent, and we 

 note a feature not recorded since 19061 — namely, an extensive sale to 

 the merchant instead of to the maltster. The latter* is not accustomed 

 to act much before Michaelmas, but where an early and good crop 

 occurs the middleman steps in and secures produce from the farmer. 

 His hope, of course, is to resell to the brewing interest at a profit a 

 little later on. August shipments of barley from Russia were 1,319,000 

 qrs., no other exporter doing anything worth mentioning. The quantity 

 on passage on the 31st was 430,000 qrs. — a fair but in no way remark- 

 able total. 



Oats. — Winter oats, having a market of their own, are usually in 

 evidence about a fortnight before the usual harvest, and they are 

 responsible for many Press reports of harvest commencing early. The 

 new winter oats this year are of excellent quality, and make 20s. per 

 336 lb. without difficulty. New spring oats came on sale in fair quantity 

 by about the 21st in the South, and 28th in the North of England. 

 Prices asked were igs. to 205. for ordinary, and 205. to 215. for the 

 named sorts of good weight. Imported oats are held very firmly ; 

 .185. for the 304 lb. kinds is the usual price. Shipments for August 

 were 600,000 qrs. from Russia, 128,000 qrs. from North America, and 

 210,000 qrs. from La Plata. The quantity on passage on the 31st was 

 310,000 qrs. 



Maize. — The shipments of round corn — 920,000 qrs. from Russia and 

 936,000 qrs - .' from "Europe, S.E." — w r ere quite remarkably large, and 

 prevented the small shipments of the New World (186,000 qrs. U.S., 

 6,000 qrs. La Plata) from causing the substantial price-rise which would 

 otherwise have been recordable. Even as it was, however, the month 

 saw is. advance and a hardening tendency at the close. There is but 

 a small supply on passage, and this makes higher prices in the next few 

 weeks a probability, stocks being low. The closing return of supply on 

 passage (470,000 qrs.) was much below current requirements. 



Oilseeds. — The new English crop of rapeseed is of fine weight and 

 grade, and fetches 66s. per 424 lb. without difficulty. But the supply 

 is too small to affect the general market, which in August was mainly 

 concerned with Indian linseed at 715. to 725. per 410 lb., Argentine linseed 

 at 675. to 69s. per 416 lb., Egyptian cottonseed at 85. 3d. to Ss. 6d. per 

 cwt., and Guzerat rapeseed at 565. to 59s. per 416 lb. There were buyers 

 of sunflowerseed at 145. to 165. per cwt., according to "boldness" of 

 sample, and the analyses of this oilseed are asserted by authorities not 

 unworthy of attention to be such as to justify a good demand. The 

 quantity of linseed on passage on the 31st was 170,000 qrs.; of cotton- 

 seed, 20,000 tons ; and the month closed with a strongly upward tendency 

 in all oilseeds. 



Various. — The dry summer increased the demand for beet sugar, 

 and 155. to 15s. 3d. per cwt. was paid on the last few days of the 

 month. A cargo of 15,000 qrs. of soy beans reached London on the 

 24th, and met with a good demand. New English beans, peas, and 

 tares show very fine quality, and sell well. Beans are so hard that 

 they can be used for splitting without delay — a circumstance of an 



