The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-09-22 00:00:00

THE CORN TRADE.

In its "Weekly Review of the Corn Trade," Bell's
WaTey Messenger says :—The late rains have been, and
the present genial temperature is having a most bene-
ficial effect upon the root and all the later crops, and
an abundant supply of fesding stuffs for winter con-
sumption may be re2arded as as,ured. Had this
country farmed this season to the fulness of its capa-
city, had there been none of the drawbacks of the
last few years, and which are still encumbering the
farmers to a serious extent, the result of this year's
harvest would have been more than usually satisfac-
tory. There has, nevertheless, been a decidedly
liberal production, and it is to be hoped that the more
propitious season, of which we shall be soon seeing the
termination, will prove to be only one of a renewed
cycle of prosperous years.
The arrivals of home grown Toil eat at the various
markets of the United Kingdom, though increasing,
have not as yet been abundant. Farmers are still
much occupied in various departments of farm work,
and partly for that reason their preparations for
market are on a restricted scale. A second and
perhaps more prominent reason is that some of the
leading authorities of the trade induce them to believe
that a higher range of values will be established before
the season is greatly advanced.
Unfavourable trade advices from the British mar-
kets, and, in fact, from Western Europe generally,
have caused the wheat trade of the United States to
rule dull, especially during the last few days of the
week. Prices have slightly given way, and less dis-
position has been shown to operate. It must, how-
ever, always be borne in mind that great producing
agricultural countries are as eager, and find it as
necessary, to sell their produce as do manufacturing
countries, like England, find it necessary to dispose of
their manufactures on the best terms procurable.
Those terms are not always very remunerative.
On the Continent the trade for wheat, and, in fact,
for most cereals, has been very quiet. The supplies of
native produce arriving at the various markets have
been upon a very moderate scale, but millers have
shown no disposition to buy in excess of their actual
requirements. Nor have holders been disposed to press
sales. Prices have not varied to any important extent
In either direction.

Barley is still arriving at market in very moderatos
quantities; but the supplies are at the same time in-
creasing. There has not as yet been any great move.
ment in the department for malting produce, and
prices have not yet been quite established, but it is
expected that they will range from abont 355. to 455. per
quarter. Grinding barley hai been in fair demand,
and has steadily supported previous quotations.
In the malt trade there has been no important
feature.
Oats have arrived from abroad in but moderate
quantities, and the home supply has been small.
There has been an improved demand, at fully late
rates.

The trade for Indian corn has been dull, and latices
have had a downward tendency. The quotations
have had a downward movement in the United
States, and the visible supply in that country has
increased from 11,300,000 bushels to 13,200,000
bushels.

The trade for beans and peas has remained firm, and
the late improvement in their value has been well
supported.

In the flour trade a great want of animation has been
apparent. Sales progress slowly in all descriptions, at
about previous currencies.