1 Jay., 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAT. 81 
continued very favourable for reaping, and, in consequence, the deliveries of 
new crop are on a very small scale. There is great variety as to quality, and 
the trade have considerable difficulty in arranging the different values of the 
varieties offering. What may be considered about the basis of new wheat 
f.o.b. to-day would command about 4s. 8d., Port Adelaide; 4s. 3d., 4s. 4d., 
and 4s. 5d. at the outports, according to time of delivery and position of 
outport. The trade do not seem in any way anxious to go into stock, as there 
seems to be a general consensus of opinion that South Australia will produce 
more than sufficient for home consumption and seed requirements this year, 
and that, if we are to export the surplus that is above this, our markets will 
require to be in keeping with those of our competitors, so as to enable us to 
secure a share of the requirements of our usual customers. It is difficult to 
foretell as to what the future of the market is likely to be, as until reaping is 
completed in all colonies it is more or less guesswork to form an idea 
as to what surplus Australasia is likely to have for export (if any). 
The idea generally is that when deliveries commence on a free scale the 
prices will probably be on the basis of about 4s. 6d., Port Adelaide ; 
4s. 9d., Melbourne; and 4s. to 4s. 3d., Sydney ; but it depends very 
much upon the quality and the yield to be ascertained when cleaning up 
takes place as to how these prices may vary. Old wheat has been in demand ; 
but owing to purchases recently made in Riverina, and now in course of 
delivery, it is considered that the demand has been fully met. Values of old 
wheat may be quoted nominally: Port Adelaide to-day at 5s. to 5s. 2d. per 
bushel; in Melbourne value of old wheat may be given as 5s. 2d. to 5s. 8d.; 
in Sydney old wheat would be worth about 4s. 5d. With continued favourable 
reaping weather in Victoria and New South Wales, we can hardly look for free 
deliveries of new crop until after new year, and .prices will be more or less 
uncertain and unsettled until that period.” At Port Adelaide there is a duty 
of 1s. 23d. per bushel. 
On the Darling Downs threshing has only started this week (20th Decem- 
ber) ; but work is in full ying, and a very large quantity will be separated 
from the straw during the next three or four weeks. 
Barley.—Vhere is a very good crop of Chevalier barley on the Downs. It 
has been well saved. None has been threshed yet, but, the quality being good, 
there will be a large quantity likely to be bought by the maltsters. The price 
will probably touch 4s. per bushel for the best Chevalier samples: The success 
of the crop this season will probably lead to an increase of acreage under 
barley next year. 
