Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-11-01
From the Cincinnati Gazette.l
THE PORK TRADE.

period when active operations VIII COM
mence, a glance at the present position
of the business, and its future prospects
will not be without interest, especially
as it is branch of trade in which not
only producers and packers. but also
almost every class of mercantile men,
are concerned directly or indirectly.
Hog products enter largely into the food
of mankind in every nation, and the
products Of the United States have gen
orally furnished sufficient for home con-
sumption, and very considerable sur
plus for export. In point Of ofimportance
therefore, hogs are next to breadstufis
in farm products, and this season the
importance of the trade is largely en-
hanced by the extraordinary high pri-
ces that prevail. In the first place,
producers and the country at large are
interested, because, if a foreign demand
should be experienced at present high
rates, provisions would serve to grea-
ter extent than in any former year, the
place of gold, in settling our balance
with foreign countries. In the next
place, consumers are interested, because,
if present prices are sustained every
description of meat must rule high
throughout the year; and last. but not
least, packers are interested, because, if
prices are not sustained for the manufac-
tured articles, heavy losses will be en-
countered on the purchases already
made and to be made during the early
part of the season. As the course of
prices for products will be governed by
the supply and demand. we will direct
our inquiries, first and chiefly, to these
two points. e.
As to supply, the general impression
is, that the number of hogs in the West
will fall short of last year, when the
packing was twenty-five per cent. def
cient as compared with the previous
season. This supposition is based on
the following ground: In almost every
hog producing State, the corn crop OF
1854 was largely short, and the stock of
hogs was consequently not kSPt up. so
that the number in the country at this
time is not sufficient to make a crop
equal to last years packing. notwith-
standing the present super-abundant
supply of corn. Then, in addition to
this, there is known to be large def
cheney in the supply of old products that
will 90 over into the new season. Thus,
a deficiency in supplies, sufficient, it is
supposed, to justify the rates that are
now being paid for hogs, is figured up
by operators. Were the hypothesis
upon which these conclusions are based
reliable beyond any reasonable doubt,
the result of the business would be GER
tainly satisfactory, but this cannot be
said to be the case. ....
| 1t is unquestionably true that the
number of hogs in the country at this
time is largely deficient as compared
with last year; but it being also true
that only small proportion of the hogs
actually produced, go into the hands Of
packers, it may well be questioned
whether the present heavy crop of corn
and the high prices that prevail for hogs
will not operate to very large extent
towards making up the deficiency that
exists in numbers, so far as regards the
packing business, and also to so increase
the weight as to more than annihilate the
anticipated falling off. Experience, we
believe, has fully established the fact
that high prices for corn, and low prices
for hogs, prevailing at the same time,
have never failed to result in a short
packing of the latter, regardless of the
number of hogs in the country; and low
priced corn and high priced hogs have
in most cases produced the opposite re-
suit. The latter, therefore, is the main
point to which attention should be direc-
ted in determining the probable extent
of the crop, for Notwithstanding the de-
6ciency in number admitted in the coun-
try, the circumstances referred to above
may produce. not only full crop. but
an excess. Let us then compare the
prices of corn and hogs at this date for
two years:
Hogs per 100 lbs. net S4 90 Sc rs
New corn per bushel 60 So
Last season the tendency in the price
Of hogs was downward, while corn ten
ded upwards, and at this time corn is
heavy and hogs is firm. We find, there
fore, class of circumstances in exis-
tence that are well calculated to increase
the packing. Those engaged in the trade
can readily see, we presume, how this
may be done. Out of ten or twelve
million hogs produced annually in the
Western and Southern States, not much
over three millions enter into the reports
of packers. Circumstances, therefore,
such as high or low prices of hogs, an
abundance or scarcity of corn, tend to
increase or diminish stocks, and this is
done by farmers exerting themselves to
feed, or neglecting to prepare their
stock for market; or selling closely, or
retaining full supplies for domestic con-
sumption. If all the farmers in the
Western States were to contribute or
withhold one or two hogs each, to or
from the usual supply, this alone would
make difference of half million OF
hogs in the number packed
With the foregoing view of matters,
it is evident that the antieipations of a
short crop are by no means sure to be
realized. but, on the contrary. we regard
] II as hiohlv nrohahle unless a sudden