The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-01-30 00:00:00

THE MARKETS.

MARK-LAN E. —II °PDS!.
The demand for most kinds of produce continued inactive
to day, but as regards prices the market was firmer. From
Essex and Kent the receipts of wheat were limited; but the
quality of the produce was rather better Factors were firm
in their demands, and both rel and white parcels were held
at an advance of from Is. to Na. per qr. Very few trans-
actions, however, took place. Fair supplies of foreign wheat
were on sale. The business doing was restricted, but the quota-
tions asked were Is. per gr. higher than on Monday last. Float-
ing cargoes of wheat were dealt in to a moderate extent,
at full quotations. Other articles afloat were rather quiet.
With barley the market was moderately supplied. The de-
mand was inactive, at prevb on quotations. Malt was dull
on former terms. For oats there was an improved inquiry,
and good sound corn was quite as dear. The show was
small Beans were in limited request, at late rates. In
consequence of the large arrival of Canadian, white Peas
were Is. per quarter lower, and other sorts were drooping in
value. The flour trade was quiet, at about stationary prices.
Linseed and rapeseed were firm. Agricultural seeds were
steady in price. Cakes moved off slowly.
MARK LANE.—WEnisKsim2.
Fresh up this moraine, the receipts of wheat from Essex
and Kent were limited, but the quality was good. The
business doing was not extensive: nevertheless the trade
was firm for both red and white parcels, awl the latter ad-
vance was maintained. With foreign wheat the market
was seasonably well supplied. All descriptions were firmly
held, notwithstanding that the demand was quiet. Floating
cargoes of wheat acre in improved reque,t, at advancing
currencies. Moderate supplies of barley were on sale. Fine
malting produce commanded extreme quotations. Grinding
and distilling sorts changed hands to a fair extent. Malt
was steady in value and inquiry. The oat trade was firm,
and good sound corn fully realised the recent enhancement.
Beans were Inactive, at late rates. For peas the inquiry was
limited. The flour trade was quiet, on former tennis. Lin-
seed and rapeseed were steady. Most agricultural seeds
firm. Cakes were drooping in value.
METROPOLITAN CATTLE MARK KT.—Moses:2.
There was a heavy arrival of foreign beasts, many of them
THE WILD BEASTS OF THE SEA. being of second-rate quality. Trade ruled quiet, and prices`
on the whole, were rather easier. From our own grazing
The following very interesting notes on the rapacious districts about an average number of beasts came forward,
habits of bottle-noses, porpoises, seals, otters, coal-fish, cod, and we noticed some exoellent arrivals on the stands.
sea cats, and sea dogs, are written by "A Fisherman," who Trade was rather less active than on Monday last,
dates from "The East Neuk of Fife" lie says— and that day's quotations were with difficulty sup-
Mr. Drew, of Nairn, has, no doubt much to the Ratio- P"tq• The top mice for hest Scots and erosses
was 08. 4d. to as. od per ell, From Norfolk, Suffolk,
faction of the Nairn fishermen, endeavoured to move Rosen, and Cambridgshire, we received about 930 Scots,
government on their behalf to clear the sea for ever of Ac.; from other parts of England, ian of various breeds,
those monster whales; but we on this coast have a from Scotland, 310 Scots and crosses; and from
great respect for them, because, when we see them, we Ireland, about 340 oxen, /Cc. The number of sheep in the
know the herrings are on the coast. Query—Do they Pens was rather short, hut the animals generally were in
good condition. The demand was steady fo all
not drive the herrings from the ice to our coast? (for
r reeds, and
b
, really choice half-breds and Southdowns realised an ocea•
our fathers said they came from the Arctic regions); Monet advance of 2d. per 81b., the highest quotation beMg
and if so, they require to be protected. As for the as. 6d. to its. Bd. per tile The calf trade was steady, and
porpoises, the way to catch them is to put a net prime small animals changed hands at full currencies. In
into the sea in the line they travel in, and when they the value of pigs no alteration took place, but the demand
come againat it they make no effort to break it. but hang wea iie active HOPS.
by the teeth as dead till they are taken. They are not No change of importance has taken place in the markets.
like the seal, for he goes down below the net, and if it is Fine parcels are scarce, and for such full prices are paid.
too near the ground, he comes to the top and gets overit. Medium qualities have been purchased to a fair extent, but
The seal is a desperate fisherman. He eats all kinds other descriptions have moved off slowly. Mid and East Knits,
of fish, but prefers salmon. You can see him often 21. 105. to 71. 15s. Weald of Rents, 21 vs. to 41. 155.; Sussvv.
raised out of the water with a large salmon in his hand 21. Os. to 41 Os.;
.larnhams, 4/ Os. to si. 155.; Country,
at dinner, defying his enemies. No doubt every seal It It tt.°3 :t. :: levarrnings',' :If. on. VII. " ' Beigu.na.
on this coast eats, on the lowest calculation, £5O worth
of salmon in a season. Then we have the otter, both ...
uolo sal 00l hash n't m le ate q nest. MP N. 119 1 o
in the river and in the sea. He also prefers salmon, tationsm. A swregards Erelegliisl'i w'milrtinerequ'alities hareve .11:et agfai ir
and will kill them, devouring about a pound for break- sale, at full currencies ; otherwise the market has been rather
fast, leaving the rest to waste. When he cannot get quiet. Current prices of English wool : Fleeces.
salmon in the sea he prefers slabs. We have also the nouthaown hoggets, Is. 3d. to Is. teL ; hall-brede Is. 44.
coal fish, which infests our bays, particularly when the to 15. *l.; Kent fleeces. Is. 44d. to Is. old. ; Southdown
young salmon are leaving the rivers, and they destroy ewes and wethers. Is. 214 to la aid-; Leiceater ditto, Is. 3d,
to ls. aid per lb. Sorts —Clothing, la 2a. to le 7d. ; combs
large ones in their stomachs; this in addition
then] in thousands. I have seen as many 118 twelve ing, ls. od. to Mid. Der Ih.
to the '
great number of other fish they consume. But the POTANOBS•
great enemy to the fisherman is the cod :he is not a The supplies of potatoes on sale at these markets are large
camnbal, he does not feed upon his own species. Yeti iti.lid more than equal to the demand. Business in all descrip-
'one has been restricted, at about late rates. English
seldom get one, however, tnat has not a haddock in his }went:, 60s. to Ms. • Flukes, 80s. to 150 s. Scotch Regents,
stomach, sometimes two, large enough to serve a 605. to 130 s. ; Roca, Os. o 808. ; French, 40. to ,er.
numerous family for dinner. There is besides per ton