The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-19
The Pork Trade.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The communication in yesterdays HERALD from
the editor of the Cincinnati Pice Cmarent sug-
gests word of defence in behalf Of the correspond
ent who, through your columns Of April 10, pointed
out some sngularities in conn ecton with tho
statistics of the hog crop. The truth of tlos,
criticisms the editor fully admits; but complains
that attention was not also directed to MS many
more alterations that existed in the Price Cuiyenf,
and charges untarness.
There exists no ground for this complaint nor for
the charge, as we propose to show from the Price
Current ITSELF which fully shows the fairness of
the correspondent statement. The Price Current
OF list May, 1901, contains what the editor terms
the "rcvised statement" being an enumeration of
the packing at each point, amounting in the aggrs-
gate for the entire season of 1850 and 1851, to
,3SZ, So7 hogs assuring the public that reliance
could be placed on that statement, 60 with safety''
Now turn to the Price Current of February %,
1852, and the hog crop is therein set down for
1850 and 1851, at I.457 1896 Here is difference
of l24629 hogs. The Price Current then proceeds
to show how short the present crop is by institute
ing comparison with tho packing Of last year.
and assumes the crop of 1850 and 1861 to have
been ,457 1896. 1t is matter of seine concern to
the trade. to know which of the editors tables is
was deceived by the Picc Current tables last
year, or is deceived now. The only point at issue
between the editor ard the correspondent, is con-
hned as to when the deception took place.
Intentional deception is by no means charge |, in
TINS exhibition OF facts, which should also ircluio
the additional fact that the Price Current of May
Il, 1901, assured its readers that the average
weight per hog was IS5 pounds for the season of
1850 and 1851 while in aluding to the same season,
IT IS stated that the average 1875 pounds This is
published in the Price Current tables of February
%. 1852. These errors lead the trade astray.
We propose to show now, by the EDITORS own
version. that, by assuming he does, in the Price
Current of February 25 1862, that the packing Of
lS505l was greater than he declared it to be in
May Il, 1851, he has fallen into In his
communication to the HERALD, the editor informs
yea q
per cent short of last yearbasng his declaration
his revised statistics Let this be tested by the facts
before u.s. Take, for example, the receipts for lard
at New Orleans and we find by the New Orleans Price
Current, of April 81 1852 that the receipts to that
date are III 656 barrels and tierces, and l23,S77
kegs, against receipts to same date in 1851, of
iOl3o2 barrels and tiercee and liz, SOL kegs show
ing an excess of receipts for this year The entire
receipts of the year ending September, 1851, were
1850 barrels and tierces, and Isl ,93l kegs-so
that we are within 1891 barrels, and 2S504 kegs
Of the entire receipts Of last year-and this juss
about one weeks ordinary receipts. And New Or
leans is the point that the editor gives in his
communication, sufficient reasons why she will not
receive her usual proportion of the packing. Hs
tells us that g the East will receive greater
amount of provisions. through the several channels
OF communication between The East and West, than
in any previous season'-thus fully substantiatinc
what the correspondent affirmed, viz, that ths
amount of provisions held back in the West was
large.
Now. with the positive receipts already at New
Orleans, and the prospective receipts, via canals.
we may be permitted to 6 discredit, ut this lat,
day." the statements that the present crop is
eighteen per cent less than the previous one. IL
may be suggested that, for the time being, thu
trade watch the development of the crop by tho
actual receipts rather than rely upon any one,
statistics.
As this is matter Of some public concern, may
VIC ask place for it ia your widespread journal
With great respect, your friend and
New YORK, May 5, 1852. SUBSCRIBER.