Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

It is stated that candles are to be rationed and provision made afisinst boordina.

OFFICIAL RETURNS OF MARKET I PRICES. The official returns « „ifc<-t prices for the week ending Sept. 25, compiled from the reports received ii-cii, tUe Hoaiv 01 AgrictfK,W"¡, œ¡,¡,tKt"t 1lorL(;¡' give the following information Fat Cattle.—Fat cattle have again been shown in larger numbers, the increase being particularly marked at London, where 7,&43 were on offer during the week, against 5ta96 the previous week; the supplies at Newcastle-oa-Tyae and Balford were also considerably larger, and the total at all markets shows it rise of about 3,000 as compared with last week. Quality remains about unchanged, many of the beASts being short of finish, and showing signs: of the absence of cake feeding, while a number of cattle at many mar- kets are being discarded by the graders as unfit for slaughter. Supplies of sheep and lambs show an in- crease, after the smaller numbers recordfed last week, this being ciiitfiy due, to the larger offerings at Newcastie-on-Tyne and Salford, where there were about 8,000 and 2,000 more respectively in the market. The total supply at all markets amounts to 58,763 against 66,393 last week. Quality &hows no improvement, really good mutton being scarce. Pigs have been offered in much the same numbers as last week, ex- cept at Birmingham, where a distinct Increase is to be noted. Stote.-Trade for dairy cotfs continues 'good, and I all classes show a further advance in price on the i week; over £ 75 was realised for the best cow in-milk at Carlisle Penritia and Preston. The best class of st?ro cattle in forward condition meet with a. fair steady demnd, while theN is also some enquiry for I good breeding heifeTs, but thm bullocks valued at ¡ about £ 20 to 4;26 per head are difficult to dispose of. In the sheep markets the demand for breeding ewes continues good, but lambs are not selling so well owing to the shortage of feeding stuffs, and priced, if anything, are sligiitly easier. Store pigs are again I cheaper, especially small sorts, but trade fo?^ rearing calves, particularly those of the best quality, 5 rather better; at the saaie time reports from many places refe-r to the large number of well bred calves now being sent for slaughter Oswentry (Sept. 25).—Smaller supply of fat cattle and quality only fair. Sheep numbered about 670. against 1,440 last week; pelts made from 3a. to 5s. bd., and lamb skins made from 3s. 0(1. to 6s. each. Pigs were also shown in smaller numbers. Store cattle in very poor demand, all classes selling at leas money, owing to the difficulties of railway transport. Store sheep consisted chiefly of Cross-bred and Kerry ewes, Which were also cheaper, prices ranging from 60s. to 95s., while a few Welsh ewes realised 42s. per bead. Dairy cows, however, were very dear, beat quality averaging £ 60 per head. Shrewsbury (Sept. 24).—.Much smaller supply of fat cattle, but quality very fair. Sheep were also shown in, smaller numbers, but the quality was good; skins and pelts made from 4a. 6d. to 6s. each. A few pigs of excellent quality were included in the supply. (aept. 20).—There was a large entry of store cattle at this special sale, 1.600be.ing on oiler; trade for strong cattle was fairly good, but for younger cattle there was not much demand. Prices generally were similar to a fortnight ago; the top quotation of 92s. 9d. per live cwt. was received for a. bunch at 22 roan Shorthorn bullying heifers of 43 cwts., while other bunches realised 768" 808., and 84s. 3d., and some Angtis oross heifere 74s. per live cwt. Some strong Hereford bullocks were on offer, several lots weigh- ing about 9 or 10 cwts. making from'76a. to 76s per live cwt., while Shorthorn bullocks made up to 77a. per live cwt. On the whole, with bulling heifers excepted, best quality cattle made from 72s. to 77B. and secondary sorts 68s. to 71s. per live cwt. About 65 to 70 per cent. of the entry got sold. (Sept. 24)- Store pigs a very poor trade; some very small inferior pigs made no more than 8s., another bunch just weaned lis. ed., a lot of fairly useful small pigs 148., and ofcher loto 15S. to 326. 6ch per head. Dairy cows in short supply, but trade good, prices ranging up to 971 per head. Wellington (Sept. 23).—Another very good supply of fat cattle, the entry including a number of very prime Hereford Bullocks, one bunch of IS weighing up to over 13 cwts. each; taken all round the quality was very good. Only a small supply of sheep and I lambs, and quality fair; skins and pelts realised from 4s. to (is. each. Grain and Meal.—London.—Wheat: Rather im- proved deliveries of English have been reported, and sales have been active; demand for seed has been above the average. while that for milling is brisli, fair average quality samplé08 realising the maximum price of 76s. 6d. per 504 lbs. (728. 9d. per 480 lbs.) delivered. importe,, wheat Is not so good a trade; fine Canadian makes 82a. 6d. per tOO lbs. (70s. Od. 480 Ibe,) and hard American 81s. per 496 lbs. (78s. 6d. per 490 lbs.), red winter 70s. 6d. per 496 lbs. (77s. per 480 lbs.), and white Indian 87s. to 88s. per 406 lbs. (84s. 3d. to 8fs,8d. -per 480 lbs.). Medium grades of Canadian are in greater demand than supply. Ar- gentine wheat realises 82s, 6d. per 496 lbs. (Tgs. 9d. per 480 lbs.), Australian 85s. 6d. per 496 lbs. (82#. 9d. per 480 lbs.), and North Paclfte types about 82s. per 400 lbs. (70s. 9d. per 480 lbs.). Barley Millers buy new English freely at 688. per 448 lbs. (60s. 9d. per 400 lbs.) delivered. There are small sales of €H!- ifornian at 93s. per 44..S lbs. (BSa. per 400 lbs.), Amer- ican at 83s. to 84s. per 400 lbs., and Canadian wlifeli Shows a wider range of quality, at 80s. to SU, per 400 lbs. Malt at 81a. to 32s. per cwt. ha* steady sale, also barley dust at 340s. per ton, and kiln dust at %!W. per ton. The price of roasted barley is 8U. per M6 !b6., &nd of penl barley 33e. per cwt. Oats: A brisk trade is passWg,and ne; English readily fetch the paximum price of 4Sa. Od. per 336 lbs. (45s. per 312 lbs.) delivered. Seed oats are ip good request at 68s. to 84s. per 336 lbs. (63s. 6d. to 7Ss, per 312 lbs.). A good demand is like Wise. experienced for imported oats at 618. M. per 820 lba. (60s. 3d. per 812 lbe.) for A and 62a. 9d. per &20 lb, 3d. per 312 itse.r) icaa, sad 62&. gd. per 320 lbs. (61-s. 3d. per 312 IDS.) for Argentine. The scarcity of heavy imported oats continues. Haize: The market is very quiet. South African in very small lota ranges from 94a. to iOOs. per qr. The feeds based on maize axe now almost as scarce as maize itself. Pulse, etc.: All active market is repor- ted; prioes for the new crop include 300s. per 504 lbs. for new winter tares, 200s. for new winter beans, 19J!a. 6d. for maple peas, Mid iCe. 6d. for dun peas. New rye makes 72s. per 480 liSs^ and up to 84s. for s'wed, buckwheat 200s. per 400 IBs., and canary seed 90s. per ewt. Meal; There is a considerable scarcity of wheaten grists, but oatmeal is obtainable at 6&0s. to 695s. per ton, while rice products are in fair sup- ply at 450s. per ten for inferior broken rice to 595s. for fine rice flour. Oilcake: Some cottonseed cake at Ms., palm nut cake at 275s., and rapeseed cake at 280s. per ton, axe sold to holders of certificates, while for winter delivery there are sales of whole linseed cake at 380s., and of ground at 40Gs. per ton. Compound cake for winter delivery 18 in active request, 245s. per ton being the price of the best grade. Brewing and distillery products: The demand is good for best dred grains at 285s. per ton ex brewery and 305s. ex distillery, while wet ale grains for early win. ter delivery are in brisk request at 8B. 4d. per 320 lbs. Malt culms command 265s. per ton. Milk.London (Pa(idington).-There has been no marked shortage of milk but enquiries have, not been great, and only a few sales have been effected. Dirminghain.-Supplies are not equal to the demand, although there has been more factory milk on offer. Manchester. Milk very scarce all the week; a few cans sold at 24d. per imperial gallon.

At Chelforcl, Cheshire, the other day, an eighteen-acre farm fetched 93,400, and a 16- ou,r,A fsLrm 4?, j

FOOD CONTROL. j WINTER MILK PRICES. I Titft Food Controller has iseued the Milk (WinTer Prices) Order. 1918. which fixes the maxi- mum prices that may be charged for milk sold retail at 9d. per quart from October 1st to November 21st, 1918, and lOd. per quart from November 22nd, 1918, to April 30th, 1919. The prices are subject to variation by local food cosn- mittees. From October 1st, 1918. to April 30^11, 1919, the maximum price that, may be paid to producers in tthe case of wholesale sales is 2s. 3d. per imperial gallon, in addition to any railway charges for carriage from the seller's to the I buyer's railway station. During the same period I the ma.ximum prices that may be charged in the oas-e of wholesale sales made by persons other than prooucer-w are liI. 2d. per gallon above the prioe paid to the producer; in the case of milki delivered by the producer to or on account of I the buyer in accordance with the directions of the sellers, 2s. 5d. per imperial gallon, together with il-io rililway charges in the case of milk de- livered to the buyer's premises. The provisions of the order, apart from those relaiing to prices, are similar to those obtained in the milk sum- mer prices" orders. NORTH WALES BUTCHERS' I PROTEST. A largely-attended meeting' of butchers from the seven counties of North Wales, members of the Meat Traders' Association, was held at Rhyl, last week, under t'he presidency of Mr. J. T. Jones (Llandudno), for the purpose of taking combined action with regard to matters affecting the trade. The Chairman said they heard of strikes, but the only people the butcheEs were determined to fight were the officials, who were by their actions forcing out the retailer and allowing the trusts TO come in. Through repre- sentation* made. the association had secured for the butchers of North Wales a sum of. between £ 700 and J61,0tX) rebate OB the flat, rate from March 4th but it had only been secured by their refuairwr to deal with individual cases, and figiht- irig the question as a whole. During the proceedings the present grading system was strongly condemned, and it TO de- cided to ask the authorities to insist upon c-atile, and sheep being graded by buyers unknown in the district, as too often the graders had to wo.rk with auctioneers and neighbouring farmers, with the result that loseos to the butchers through wronj? grading were heavv. There was a "ong feelm? expreased against the &daoti*n of the dea?wei?ht basis and the killing of stock in Government daughter-houses, ?al-W it was urged that UtM was forcing the trade I iwto the haddta of the Am.0ricn trus't? and frozen meait- eoncera*. The majority of those present contended that the Government should save the retailer and small but-dher in the interests of the nation, as it would be a bad day for the country when the trusts have the upper hand. It was further urged that the Welsh butchers were suf- fering losses for the subsidising of the large wholesale concerns in Manchester, Liverpool and .Birmingham, who wera allowed any lose through mistakes in gradiniz-a coneemion not granted small retailers. THE MILK PRICES AT WREXHAM. The Wrexham Food Cdmro! Co?n?tc? met I on Thursday evening to 6x milk prices. Repi-e- !aen.?atiY<M were prE'nt from the Wr&x?m Ruf?l District Food Control Committee. After i&t&r viewing the milk de&!ere. it w" unanimously decided that the retail price of milk delivered in the borough of Wrexham shall be 8d. per quart from October let to November 21t. and th&t early in November a joint conference of the Rural District and Borough Committees be held to conaider the prices -to be charged after Nov. 21st I I ITEMS. I The Ministry of Food have decided to release a quantity of cotton cake for dairy cows in milk at the rate of £ owt. per cow. Mr. Horace Blew (of Messrs. Frank Lloyd and Sons, Wrexham) has been appointed deputy- Chairman for Wrexham a.nd district in the 53rd area. (Denbighshire and Flintshire), under the Ministry of Food Live Stock Department by the Live Stock Commissioner. A revised Hay and Straw Order, which came into force on Tuesday increases the ration for horses. The daily ration for heavy dray and (Axt horses and trotting vanners is now 131b. of hay, light dray and cart hoMea and trotting vanners 101b.. other light horses and cobs 81b., and ponies 14 hands and under 71b., leaving owners to add as much efa-aw chaff as thev desire. The prohibition against the use of straw for bed- ding hoffses is aIM withdrawn, but oat straw must be kept for feedin.g purposes.

I The Shropshire Chamber, I SECRETARY'S LONG RECORD. j Mr. Alfred Man sell, of the old established firm of Messrs. Alfred Mansell and Co., has this week Completed forty-one years as secre- tary of the Shropshire Chamber of Agricul ture. His first president was the late Mr. J. E, Severne, of Wallop. But few of the ori- ginal members are now alive.

Montgomeryshire's 9,000 Extra Acres- I REPLY DELAYED. The Montgomery shire War Agricultural Coamittee held a speeral meeting at Welshpool o* Mosidaj, Mr. W. Forrester Addle presiding, to consider whether they could undertake to provide 9,000 extra acres asked for for next year's harvest. We areotn; dally Wormed that the committee decided to make no answer to the Food Production Department until the matter had been discussed at the conference of rep- resentatives of the North, Wales aad the adjoining South Wales and English counties which is to be held at Shrewsbury on Friday week. ———

A man only just discharged from the Army was killed by colliery waggons at Tredegar last week. Mr. Caleb Roberts, a well-known Stafford- shire ironmaster, was killed in his own works, last week, through a boiler that was being hoisted falling on him. Several local harvest thanksgiving services are being postponed owing to the delay in get- ting in the crops due to bad weather. Otfters are being celebrated in faith. Mr. B. D. Poole, Marbury, Whitchurch, has been appointed on the sub-committee for considering applications for permits for the l' exemption of agricultural workers from mili- tary service and to adjudicate on the value of cottages in the Broxton and Eddiabury Hundred* of Cheshire.

i Farmers and Wheat Prices. MR. PROTHERO EXPLAINS. Mr. Prothero, President of the Board of Agriculture, speaking at a meeting of farmers at Chester, last week, pointed out that when once the crops were harvested the Food Con- troller or the Forage Committee or the Board of Trade step in. The Board of Agriculture controlled neither the price, use of the pro duce, nor the supply of feeding stuffs. He explained that wheat prices were dis- cussed for days between the Food Controller and the Board. No agreement was reached, and the question went to the Cabinet, which held two meetings of two hours each before deciding. Larger issues were involved than were generally realised. All the Allies were interested. Owing to the increased costs of production, American farmers asked a higher price. President Wilson refused, on the ground that a higher price would send up the cost of bread in Great Britain, France and Italy. It in the face of that decision, the price had been subsequently raised for British farmers, the President- would have found it difficult, 11 not impossible, to refuse the demand of Amer- ican farmers. The present needs of the war, the no 1888 urgent needs that would arise when peaoo was proclaimed, the probabilities of the re- moter future, the necessity of providing more winter food for stock, the reCovery of the pro- per proportion of our rotations, the pledge of [ the Prime Minister—all pointed to an in- i creased arable acreage. "Yes," you may say, we admit all this. But we can do nothing without a guarantee of remunerative prices and adequate labour." Frankly, he could give them neither. He could only say, in all honesty and sincerity, that corn priøea would not be lesa than Ihose of 1918, and that ha believed the labour position as time went on wouid grow better rather than worse. He could add this. If they had not undertaken thte extension of their arable land, they would [ probably have lost double the number of men. So to-day the man who added to his plough land made the strongest claim to retaiii his land made the stron,,est claim to He therefore appealed for their help, ana urged every ma.n who felt that he could., at a pinch, do so, to plough a bit more, and to accept from the committee the compulsory order which entitled him to compensation if he suffered loss. They would be asked to plough only light and medium land which was capable of growing good crops bf corn and roots, and they would only be asked to plough even this, if. in the opinion of the committee, they had sufficient labour to cultivate as well as plough.

—————— ,—————— Llangollen Store Sheep Sale. GOOD CLEARANCE AND RECORD PRICES. The fortnightly auction conducted by Messrs. Jonee and Son was held on Tuesday week in conjunction wivtt the second annual breeders' sale of btore ewes, wethers, rams and lambs. The number of sheep en- tered was a record one, and upwards of 2,760 were penned, included in which were some of the finest quality ever offered in the district. The ewes were mostly two and three year old (Welsb and Cross- bred), and the rams from the pedigree flocks of Capt. Best, Mr H. Dyke Dennis, Sew Hall, M r. Tlaviea, Pengwern Hall, and other breeden. There was an excellent trade. in dairy and store cattle classes, and the prices ruled high. The following are some of the highest prices:— Calvers.—Messrs. Ellis, Llantysil'o, æ4B 2s. 6d.; Jones. Vron Newydd, Cirrog, • £ 40 15s. and RS9 106. and £ 34; Kendrick, Eglwyseg, "I Bi-oadfoot. Lian- dyn, £ 30 lOs.; Roberts, Bettws, Corwen, £$4 51;. Store Cattle.-Messrs. Goslettar, Acrefair, 416 79. 6d. (heifers); Evans, Has, Egdwyseg, ICIS 7s. ed. Evans, Cae Madoc, L17 17s. Od.; Williams, Carrog, £ 16 12s. Cd.: lfdwards, Brynhowell, RIB 12s. 6d. Morris, Carrog, £ 16; Ellis, Glyn, aelo 17 0d., ACIS [,5, £ 16.7s. tld; and R15 &s.; Jones, Ty'ndwr, £ 16 2&. 6d. Store Sheep.—Buyers of store sheep were in great great numbers. The following were the prices ob. tained Messrs. Jonee, Ty Uclia, Llangollen. Sis., 61s,; Lewis, Llansilin, up to 47s.; Major Tottenham, 456. 6d.; Pugh, Llanailin, 48s. 6d.; H. Hughes, Pen- tredwr, 4hi. 9d.; Davies, Dergoed, ewes 37s., lambs S3s. 6d.; Williams, Pentredwr, 45s. 6d.; Ellis, Pen- clawdd, 34a. 6d.; Roberts, Bwlchmawr, ;)78. Cd.; Rowlands, Cefncoed, 35s.; Lloyd, Tanyooed, 37s. 3d.: Davies, Tanycoed, 40a. f;d.; Davies Pengwetro Hall, 66s., bas.. and 30s. (id.; Roberts, PentredWr. 82s. Cd.; B. P. Jones, Carrog, 49s. and 43s.; Davies, Llanarmon, 49s. 6d.; Jones, Lian, Carrog, 49s. and W. 3d.; Evans, Rhiwlas, 388. 3d.; Williams, Plas* Bitman. 30s; Griffiths, Garthpkstyll, 23s. 3d.; Morgan, Dinhreu, ewes 428. 6d., lambs 226. 6d; Jones, Tanycoed, Car- rog, 40s; Parry, Carrog, 51., 45., and 3&s.: Lloyd Roberts, 34s; Lloyd Jones, Llantysilio, 50s. 3d.; Jones, Hafod Abbott, lambs 24s.; Thomajs, Carrog, 45s. 6d.; Evans, Naatfa-wr, Corwen, ewes 44s, M., lambs 24s. 9d.; Lloyd Roberts, lambs 96s. 9d.; Morris, Pen- rtiewl, Tregeiriog, Ms. 6d. and 44s. 6\i.; Blakif, Garth, 70s. 6d. and 41s.; Eilis Llautysilio, lambs 23s. 6d. Rams.—Capt. Best, 9 i-ains from £-1 10s. to £ 6. 12s. 6(; Messrs. Davies, Pengwem Hall, 8 rams from je2 10s. to £ G 5s.; n. Dyke Dennis, Rylands, £ 5 17s. tld., (Southdowns up to de8 17s. 6d.; Ellis, Llantysilio, from £3 15s. to R4 101i.; Joe, Roberts, Vron 92 l.a.; Williams, Plas Bitman, Tottenham. eS 5. and Williams, Pen Vivod, £ 3. There were upwards of SCO fat sheep whick were graded atr Government prices, and a few fat cattle. The next store sheep sale is advertised for Tuesday, October 8th, in conjunction with the usual sale.

NATURE NOTE. On September 2i. Mr. Stewart, of Llan- 4oda IsxA, brouglu me a Manx Shear w Pt-er for ident-fioatwR. lie had picked it up in a badey fiald in Melverley in a damaged eon- dicioii. It had the appearance of having been wouuded by a shot gun. Mr. Stewart thought that the bird was picking barley grains, but an examination of the stomach shewed that this was not so, as the conteIlts- were worms and small beetles. An interest. ing feature of the bird was that it was alive with a parasite of which I have not yet got the correct identification, but which seems to come very near Lipeurus pelagicus, according to Mr. C. J. Gehan of the British Museum. The bird was an adult. Although it is very purely a sea bird, it has frequently been found in Shropshire, many instances being quoted in Forrest's Fauna of Shropshire," several quite close to Oswestry. I J. H. OW-EN,

The Pi-ess Association learns that the Peters who is responsible for sending hundreds of men and women to be executed in Moscow is the same Peters who was suspected of being concerned with the Houndsditch murders in December, 1910, and the Sydney Street Affair in JIIoI\1.¡aI", 181J.

GLEANINGS. WET WEATHER HARVESTING. I In view of the unfavourable harvest weather 811. present prevailiniIl the later districts, the Food Production Department desire again to urge the adoption of every possible means of preventing or reducing loss, and point OUt that one. of the best and simplest safeguards in in- clement weather is a well-built, s-ook, and in these days of inexperienced labour the import- ance of securing this cannot be too strongly em- PhAaised. As a rule, a gtook should consist of not more than ten sheaves. Taking one slilaf under each ami, the looker should jab them down smartly, facing each other, and with the butt ends from 18in. to 2ft. apart. Pressing them firmly inwards at the bands, he should bring the heads together so as to produce as sharp a ridge as possible. The first pair always forms the centre of the stock, and stands upright; the suc- ceeding pairs should be placed alternately on each aide of the first, and lean a li"iile towards them. The end of the stook should face the prevailing wind, so as to allow a current of air through, and also to diminish wind pressure. The usual direction is south-west and north-east, an aspect which also secures the beat distribution of sunshine. After rain or wind, fallen sheaves should be carefully set up. Where stooks have remained exposed to wet weather for a consider- able time it may be necessary to move them, but caro should be taken not to expose utidameged portions of the sheaf. In extreme cases sheavea may have to be opened out to dry. 11ICHAELMAS REFLECTIONS. I Michaelmas is approaching (says the Mark Lane Express "), and with it's advent, the restrict- ed space in county papers is largely taken up by advertibeinents awiouncii-ig farm sales and the dis- posal by auction of stock and implements. Most of the advertisements inform tilie public that the occupied is either retirinfz from business, or else the sale is being held in consequence ef the farm beinc sold. The former circumstances are quite as they should be. It is a fitting end to long years of labour that a man should retire from business ami pass the rest of his life in leisure, and there never was such a good time as this for giving up: but what about the man who, per- haps in the prime of life, is having a dispersal llÙe in consequence of his farm being sold over his head. This is one of the glaring illustrations of the insecurity of tenure about which farmers for generations have complained, and while the Corn Production Act makes it possible for a man who ie farming badly to be turned out bag and baggage, it does not offer corresponding security for the man who is farming well, and inci de nit. ally, is improving the value of his landlord's pro- perty. The demand. for farms to-day is keenj and we wond&r how many of the men who are having dispersal sales this Michaelmas, owing to their farms being sold, would have done this if they could have secured suitable holdings to go to. WHAT BECOMES OF THE TWOPENCE? Di nll:the increase in the price of beef, the Stockbreeder" says it would be inter,oestf,- inw to know exactly how the increase to the ex- teat of twopence is disributed. and in the &b- sence of A fuller statement than that yet issued the Food Controller must be prepared for sharp criticism from those who see but a. small share coming their way. There is still, here and there, dissatisfaction with grading, but the alternative proposal-a dead-weight system—only arouses the antagonism of the producer. There are well- grounded objechoneto committing the English cattle trade to sell by caroase weight, dhief amongst which is the almost inevitable confusion that would MT.ae. while we have no wish to meet  future competition in a free market in this way. L The butcher is quite a sound judge of the bullock on the hoof, and when we get away from the pernicious plan of grading all cla sses of meat in one category he will have ample scope for his iudgment. Meanwhile, there is dissatisfaction with the old meat prices as applied to the new conditions, notably the rise in the price of fodder and the oonsiderable, advance in wages. If' pro- dnotion is to be maintained under prevailing con- ditions it is advisable to recognise that, the feeder's coeta have men since the late Lord Rhond-da. was compelled to abandon a ridiculous scale.