The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-05-05 00:00:00

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THE BRHISH CORN TRADE

Early fields of Rye in ear, and with the Wheat
plant in a forward stage enough to show the stems
swelling where the ear should be, arc some of the
effects of the late extraordinary temperature—some to
degrees above the average of so years. In nu season
remembered has the foliage of trees come out more
rapidly than it has done during the last fortnight,
and with north-easterly air currents added to solar
heat, the evaporation from the earth's surface must
have been something enornaous. But on Thursday
night the temperature fell 4 degrees below freezing
point, and ice was formed as thick as a shilling in
metal stable pails, whilst on Friday morning the
barometer, steady for a long time began to fall. The
therometer has lately registered Ito degrees in the
sun, and nearly 75 degrees in the shade. In Algeria,
Spain, &C., where similar heat and drought prevailed,
copious rains succeeded, so that now the prospects in
those countries are very good, and these instances of
rant following heat promise repetition here. Sonic
farmers in Kent report their wheat getting so strong,
high, and thick, that they fear flooding showers, liut
it is too early yet for such anxieties; late frosts in May
are the possible evils to dread, but as now even the
subsoil is warmed to the heart—so degrees at 6 inches ,
deep--the surface should repel ordinary cold. It is
this feature of the season that now absorbs opinion,
atid sways the corn markets. In London the feeling
is paramount that the weather and not the grain
stocks must decide future prices. Value at present is
unsettled ; lower in Mark Lane on Monday, at Liver-
ptxl "ruesday, on Wednesday at Leith and
Edinburgh ; yet at Glasgow, on Wednesday, IS in
London, prices appeared recovering steadiness.
Flour, as usual, when warm weather sets in, declines
in price, and is now is. cheaper than it was a week
ago Buyers are doubtful about Maize and grinding ;
Barley, and avoid purchases except for immediate
delivery. Malting Barley, Oats, Beans, and reas,
remain strong at the high level they reached in March,
and a continuance of dry weather, in affecting the
forage crop prospects, is expected even to carry
value still higher—showery weather would act con-
trarily.
The imports of wheat and flour during last week
fell to the unusually reduced amount or 97,150 qrs.
Of maize the supply was about 60,000 qrs In the
supply of home-grown wheat there was a slight
increase.

The supply of wheat into London, 3,000 to 4,000
qrs. weekly, has been lately exported to about the
same quantity. or the four weeks ending April 25,
the imports of wheat and flour into the United
Kingdom amount to rather over 600,000 yrs ,
whereas some Soo,ooo qrs , are estimated as being
required. Of course, March and April are usually
short of foreign supplies, just as June, July, and
August are in excess. Arrivals of wheat and flour now
coming from Australia are very timely, as was the
case last year.

,
Between buyers and sellers of arrived cargoes the
!differences of opinion are confined to is 6d on wheat
and maize, sellers requiring 595 for Polish and
American wheat, 6ls 6d Chilian, 63s Californian,
41s for American maize, whereas there are buyers at
ls to as under these terms In cargoes on passage
or for shipment transactions are almost suspended.
On Thursday, at Bristol, there was a better feeling,
and a fair business in wheat was done at last week's
rates. Grinding barley met a moderate demand ;
prices rather in buyers' favour. American maize 6d.
per qr. cheaper. Oats held for 6d. per qr. advance,
which checked the sale.—At Manchester the market
was dull, but English wheat made full prices. Flour
6d. per sack lower. Beans advanced is., and oats
were the turn dearer.—At Devizes a moderate supply
of wheat. The quality was indifferent, and trade was
dull, but there was no material alteration in prices.
Barley in very small supply at late rates. Other grain
as before. Best wheat, 30s. to 335.; secondary ditto,
265. to 295. ; barley, 40$. to 50s. ; fine flour, 455. to
52L; best seconds, 465. to 48s. ; oats, 265. to 335. ;
bans, 235. to 27s ; peas, 205. to its. ; best bread,
is. 3d.—At Newbury supply of wheat was about the
average, and the quality much better than for several
weeks past. Trade, however, proved excessively dull,
and holders were compelled to sell at a sacrifice, the
reduction being from is. to as. per qr. Red wheat
changed hands at 505. to 70s. per qr., and white sam-
ples at 58s. to 725. per qr. Barley, malting 425• to
545. per qr., and grinding 405. to 443. per qr. Oats
from 245. to 335. per qr. Beans were in active
demand at last week s currencies, 465. to as per qr.
I'eas 445. to 465. per qr.
On Friday, quietness was the prevailing character-
istic of the trade—At Mark-Lane English wheat in
moderate supply. Sales slow, at about late rates.
modaratc supplies of barley. bemand quiet, chiefly
for grinding parcels, and prices unaltered. Malt sold
at late rates. English oats scarce, but a large show
of foreign. Sound corn in moderate request, at full
prices. Inferior corn drooping. Maize changed
hands slowly, at barely previous currencies. Beans
and peas quiet and unaltered. The flour market in-
active.—At Andover, prices quite as dear—At
Lincoln, business firm, the rates of last Friday being
supported.—So at Wakefield, and at Derby.

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