The Express.
London, England, 1860-04-07 00:00:00

HE CORN TRADE.

BIRMIN4;IIAM, Aria s.—For the two first weeks of the
past mouth the wheat market continued dull ; but we have
since lied en advance of 4s. to ss. per quarter on English
wheat, and almut half that amount on foreign, so that there
is now less difference in the value of the two descriptions
than has hitherto been the case since harvest. As is usual,
this rise has caused a more onisiderable one in nearly all the
continental markets, except those of France, which were
previously too high to admit of much export to this country,
and large purchases of wheat and Hour have been made for
shipment, particularly in the Baltic and French ports ; the
advance in freights, and the difficulty in obtaining vessels,
showing that we may expect extensive supplies from those
quartets. In the south of Europe the growing
crops are favourably described, though a few ship-
ments are still making from France to Portugal, and
the prices of grain in Egypt continue high, as
well as those asked fur grain deliverable at the Black Sea
ports at the opening of the navigation. The appearance. of
the wheat crop in this country has greatly improved the last
week or two, especially on sandy and loamy soils ; but
human complain that on the stiffer land it is very thin, and
there is a considerable demand fur spring wheat, to sow in
between the rows of autumn planted where that has failed ;
but we still think that, iu meet cases, there are enough
plant. left to prodnce a good crop. Though the growing
wheat In the southern states of America is complained of
prices were declining in Now York at the time of our
last advice., and in consequence increased shipments of
both wheat and flour were being made for this
country. There is considerable difference of opinion as to
the quantity of wheat left in the hands of our fanners ;
but we think it is still very large for the season of the
year, as, notwithstanding the scarcity and high price
of fodder, which would induce many to thrash some time
before selling, the ricks in all parts of the country are very
numerous. Local dealers and speculators also have a prod
deal on hand. Our present prices are :—English red, ha. id.
to his. led.: white, 6s. 6d. to Is. 2d. per 621bs. at Birming-
ham. With a very limited demand, barley has increased
value is. to per quarter. Wu think this proves that the
stocks of this grain now in warehouse are remarkably small,
and that there is much less than usual held by the growers
and dealere, or consumers. Large purchases lave, however,
been made for arrival and free on board in the Baltic, Den-
mark, France, the Danube, Black Sea, Asof, 1, Turkey, and
other pnalueing countries of Europe, noel of which appears
likely to arrive at the time when there is but
little demand for consumption. Danube sells slowly
at 295. to 30e. ; feeding French, 330. to Ms. ; Eng-
lish. t 4, 35. per :192.11.4. at Birmingham. Bar-
lay sowing has commenced under favourable circumstances.
As is usual at this season of the year, the supplies of eats
from the (sneers have much lessened ; English have cone-
, (Lucidly advauced fully Is. per quarter, and some descrip-
tion* of hialt nearly as mech. The stocks at Gloucester
are further reduciiii, and we do not hear of many cargoes on

the way ; and our markets ...re still too low to remunerate
shippers from Ireland, etc. Our present prices are, Irish
grey and light white, 24e. to 25e. ; heavy white, 2%A. 6(1.
to 265. 6d. ; black, ?Is. 6d. to Zia. 6d. We have au
Dutch left in store; and those on are offered ut
235. to Asa. per 3121b5. at Gloucester~F oeglish beaus are
la. to 2s. per quarter dearer than at the beginning of the
month, and they have still an upward tendency. The
winter planted have been much injured, and in some sues
destroyed by the frost. Egyptian continue very unaaltable
with us, bat we have more demand for French, of
which a few cargoes are still expected at Gloucester.
Old English sell at its, to 190. ; new, 16e. 6tL to 17s. tip. ;
French, 16s. to 16s. 6d. ; Egyptian, 15e. to 15s. 6.1., all per
1961 be. here. We have quite as much demand as usual at
this MIMI of the year for pees, large quantities being com
mimed by sheep in comequence of the shortness of keep.
White are worth 15s. to 16s. per 1961ba. at Birmingham.
Owing to the further advance of 2a. per qr. in the value of
Indian core the consumption has much fallen off, and is
now nearly confined to feeding poultry. The present prim,
delivered at Gloucester hardly equal to that paid for
whole cargoes arrived on the roast. Our markets continue
poorly supplied with Dari, millet, and buck wheat. Pota-
toes are still scarce and deer.—(From Messrs. J. and C.
Sturge's Monthly Circular.)