The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-30
The Hog and Corn Crop.

Reports from 2lf points in Illinois.
Kansas. Nebraska, Iowa Missouri, Ohio
and Indiana, the great Corn and Hog
producing States. seem To confirm op.n-
ions previously published iHdicaing
decrease in Hog and fair crop of Corn.
In the majority OF instances the num-
Der Of Hogs reported is 5nsiderably
less than al this time last year, as con-
iirmed by the official reports Of the sew
eral State Auditors. There is but little
doubt a 10 there being fewer Hogs IN
the country than at this time last sea-
son. In almost all sections of the com
try Hogs are reported in poor condition,
owing TO the scarcity of old Corn. In
Canada it is also said there will be a
slight falling off in the number.
The Corn crop, according to latest es-
Inmates, will be a fair one; but a. there
Is very little of last years Corn, now on
hand, and as the market price is fully
100 per cent. higher than in 1873, it
seems probable that the farmers will sell
their Hogs early in the season, in order
to realize better value for their Corn.
Last year the price of Hogs at Chica-
go ranged from So 80 to S4 on the 1st of
Novemter, to 81 G24 to s. IS at the
close of February, and the result was a
early and Spectators later, took hold
free. This year, however, we shall
doubtless commence packing at much
higher rates, and as the country is bare
of stock, the new crop will doubtless be
largely drawn upon to supply the imme-
diate necessities of trade, both home and
foreign. Summer curing has been more
extensively carried on this season than
ever before, and especially in the West,
and the product has generally given
much better satisfaction than Winter
cured stocks. Owing to the scarcity of
Winter Meats, the Southern trade has
taken the ice-cured to a larger extent
than usual, while there has also been a
large amount Of old and damaged Bacon
reshipped from Liverpool and sent
South, which has completely cleared
both Europe and America of old crop.
Long clear WIS at first the only cut in
quired for, but Of late Staffordshire,
Cumberlands and Stretfords have been
in demand. This shows conclusively
that the number of Hogs cuts during
the Summer has been greater than last
year, and that the balance since the re-
turns of the Government Statistical
Bureaus report was made up was less
in proportion than for last year or for
former years. 80 far statistics enable
Us to judge of the course of the future
m 'rket; but, as we have often remarked
te'ore, statistics are getting, year by
year, to be less relied upon by the mer-
camille community, because they have
50 often and almost invariably failed
them of late years. No stronger illus
tration OF this fact is needed than the
statistical position of the Provision mar
ket year ago, which unmistakably
pointed to low, or at least not high
prices. This was accepted by the trade
generally EARLY early in the season to
be the situation, and yet spectators took
hold Of the whole crop later and carried
it successfully through at the highest
point known for years. And no one
seems yet able to account fully for this
apparently anomalous condition of af-
fairs. Clearly, statistics failed. The
causes Of these changes are in constant
changing currents Of trade and different
modes Of business, to which must be ad
ded the speculative or non-speculative
disposition Of the trade 1itself during
different periods. In view of these facts,
the Provision trade are standing aloof,
and the question of future prices ia still
as doubtful as ever.-[New York Bull
letin.