Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-11-21
New York Provision Trade.

The New York Bulletin of the 18th inst. thus
reviews the provision trade:
A somewhat dull and uncertain tone has again
prevailed on nearly all articles Of the hog pro-
duct during the past week and the market has
developed few really new points In tact, Oper-
atOrs do not appear to have any very definite OBJ
ject in view, but merely work along as necessity
may compel and await quietly the outcropping
of some new stimulus to give the market a little
life. So far as the legitimate call is concerned,
there does not appear TO be much wanted on
home account, and though exporters are buying
a few lots on spot, and contracting to a fair ex-
tent for future, this outlet Is not by any means in
proportion to the amounts offering, aud fails TO
have a strengthening effect. Indeed, values
have in some cases been slightly modified in or
der TO keep buyers from Withdrawing. There
has been some speculative feeling, but It
slight, and we think unusually 50 for the season,
operators in this line having had some experience
last year of quite a costly nature feeling rather
timid about further ventures for the present, and
no one having an inclination to invest heavily
until the probable value OF the coming crop shows
itself rather more plainly. In fact, the value of
this crop is the point upon which every thing
hinges Just at present, and the PROBABILITY that
figures must rule low undoubtedly serves to re-
taTd business to great extent, as goods are held
off the market and every possible chance taken
in hopes of gaining somewhat better terms than
buyers now seem disposed to submit TO. Packers
have been so long accustomed to full prices, and
to a fair control of the position by having most
of the yearly product cut and packed within
period OF three or four months, and then subse
Qucntly dealt out IN such quantities as they
might see tit, that even after the experience of
last season they can hardly see the necessity OF
keeping terms easy in order to preserve their only
salvation, the foreign outlet, while an attempt to
hold back supplies could scarcely alarm export
ers except in the case Of prospective small
crop, as the increasing fayOrs shown ice house
goods and the yearly additions made to the pack
ers engaged in this branch of the business indi-
cate the probability OF supply all the year round
and always fresh and desirable. Some few weeks
ago there was very general impression here
that packers were determined TO put their goods
upon sale cheap not only to influence the price
of hogs, but in order that the market might more
readily find its proper level, but some Of the re-
cent movements would seem to indicate partial
departure from this policy, and wherever an at
tempt has been made to increase the cost there
has been an almost immediate check to the de-
mand, while, on the other hand, comparatively
free offering and evident disposition to allow easy
terms, not, Of course, some of the unreasonable
bids few buyers insist upon making. Sales
have been very fair and nearly all i'll such shape
"a 10 make il almost certain that the supplies
contracted for will he taken out of the country.
There is no war in Europe at present to eat and
waste large amounts Of stock, we have a cOnsid-
cradle amount Of old crop on hand, and an IN
doubted large crop coming forward, and the for
eign consumption must be stimulated and en-
cOuraged. Low prices and sure margins for shi p
pers, from the outset, seem to he the only thing
to effect this end at the present