Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-11-17

HOG CONTRACTS.

We are yet unable TO give any i'm
portant transactions in ibis line. A few
purchases have been made by one of our
packers on the Missouri river, but thus
far nothing has been done that can be
takenas fair opening for the Market
The purchases To which we alude com.
prises some $500 10 5000 head, n Dor.
ton of which were bought some weeks
eince. 1000 head delivered in the
neighbOrhood of Rocheporte at So so
gross, and 200 from the same vicinity
delivered here a. SO 80 rat. The hogs
OF the last lot average 400 pound, or
over. The prevailing opinion among
packers at present is, that the ma rket
will open in ten days or two weeks. and
at prices ranging from SO rs to 81 25.
The bes, and most desirable lots they
think will be bought al 81 to 81 25.
The opening price last season was SIS
20 to $5 SO, an! only a few of the first
; ready for market Dough, at these prices
This season the probability is that 81 to
% % will be The starting rates, showing
difference in the two seasons of 81 TO
81 so per hundred pounds in The open.
ing CSt Louis Intel.
Contracts for hogs are slow and hard
to make. Mr.. Corey has just contract.
ed Tor 1900 head, delivered early, at
90 rs to 81 90. The packers will no,
offer over 90 SO to 81 O0--the latter for
No. article.
A drorer passed through our city with
so head Of hogs, day or two since, for
which he demanded - SO. He ship
ped them TO 81. Louis. where, doubtless
he sold them for "a O0--ihe same rs Of
fered here.
Several drovers and hog dealers have
come into the city to contract, but as yei
they cannot come IN terms--lhey de.
manding % % 10 SIS 90. The packers
lost considerable last year. and in pres
ent circumstances they are very wary.
The price of packing material is very
greatly enhanced this season, over lasl
year. Labor IS higher by 20 per cent
Salt SO per cent. higher, cooperage a,
least 20 per cent. advance, while freight.
on the river are even 80 per cent. more
than at this time last year. The pack
ers complain, also, that money is hard to
obtain a,sihe East. and at higher interest
than heretofore. These things taken
into account. must operate To some ex
tent against the pork grower, as well as
the pork eater.
We are still of the opinion iha, about
"a 90 will be the opening price tor good
hogs--and they may run up To So 90,
but present appearances are against tina,
result. ST. Louis buyer was in our
market last evening, offering 81 90, de-
livered in that cisy--equal 10 50 80 de
liver d in Atom Alton Courier, llth.
Hoo KILLING PRnspEcrs.--The re.
ceipts Of hogs, as yet, for packing have
been light. not exceeding 5000 head
Messrs. jackson, Hull a. Co, Of the
limited number Of hogs yesterday and
the day previous, and have killed. thus
far, $500. with 1900 head 10 the pens
Tie other packers have moi yet CON-
menced, though all ready. but are wait
ing cooler weather.
Prices. we are constrained 20 say, are
dropping, and we hear of no sales, the
farmers generally demanding cents net,
which is shove the views o. buyer. In
Cincinnati yesterday The market was fiat,
with but few buyers at cents. An in-
creased business is anticipated this sea-
son. the number OF hogs being estimated
al over 800. 900 Lou. Cour.