The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-31
"HOG AND HOMINY."
WHAT THE WEST WILL PRODUCE OF BOTH-A
FAIR CROP OF CORN, But DECREASE IN
HOGS,
From the New York Bulletin.

| from the New York Bulletin
| Reports from two hundred and fourteen
points IN illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa
Missouri, Ohio and Indiana, the great con
and hog producing States, seem to confirm
opinions previously published indicating 8
decrease in hogs, and fair crop OF corn.
the majority OF instances the number OF hogs
reported is considerably less than at this time
last year, as confirmed by the official reports
Of the several State auditors. There is but
| little doubt as to there being fewer hogs il
| the country than at this time last season. Ii
| almost all sections of the country hogs are re-
ported 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 estimates,
will be fair one; but as there is very little OF
last years corn now on hand, and as the mar
than in 1873, it seems probable that the farm
ers will sell their hogs early in the season,
in order to realize better value for their corn.
Last year the price of hogs at Chicago
ranged from So so to 81 on the first of No.
vember, to 81 62l to SIS IS at the close Of
February, and the result was safe price for
product, at which shippers early and specu-
lators later, took hold tree. This year, how
ever, 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 immediate necessities of trade,
both home and and foreign summer curing
has been more extensively carried on this sea-
son 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 larger extent than usual, while
there has also been 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
Was at first the only cut inquired for, but
Of late Stafordshire, Cumberlands and Street
lords have been in demand. This shows con-
,lusively that the number of hogs cut during
he summer has been greater than last year,
md that the balance since the returns OF the
Government statistical bureaus report was
made up was less in proportion than for last |
7ear, or for former years. So far statistics en-
Ible us to judge OF the course Of the future |
market; but, as we have often remarked be-
ore, statistics are getting, year by year, to be
ess relied upon by the mercantile communi-
y, because they have so often and almost
failed them Of late years. No
tronger illustration of this fact is needed
han the statistical position of the provision
market year ago, which Enthusiastically point
d to low, or, at least, not high prices. This
vas accepted by the trade generally, early in
he season, to be the situation, and yet specu-
ators took hold of the whole crop later, and
arried it successfully through at the highest
oint known for years. And no one seems
ct able to account fully for this apparently
condition Of affairs. Clearly, sta
sites failed. The causes of these changes
re in constantly changing currents of trade
nd different modes of business, to which
lust be added the speculative or non-specu-
tive disposition of the trade itself during
fferent periods In view of these facts, the
revision trade is standing aloof, and the
lestion Of future prices is still as doubtful
ever"