, 1878-02-09
The Future of Cattle Prices.

4
The following, from Griiiith's Chicago Lire
Stock Reporter, evidently written with care,
possesses great interest for cattle growers:
! Now that the spring season seens so near
at hand-nearer perhaps than it is, owing to
! the extreme mildneSs of the winter-increas-
/ ing interest is felt In the future OF cattle
/ VIII prices be higher or lower than they are
now, are the questions of the hour, and viii
| probably so remain until it has been answer,
| ed by the revelations which shall then be
made We have, however, never seen a
greater unanimity of opinion upon the SUBJ
| ject in this market than exists to-day. We
| have vet to hear of one of our dealers
either a buyer or seller-who is looking for
even present prices to be sustained, for any
grade of cattle excepting stochers and feed
ers. In regard to these the opinion is held
! that there viii, in the spring season, be an
active demand and especially SO should ii be
an early and favorable one for grass 1t is
| Thought that the supply of stock cattle In the
west is at the best small, hence that there
will be an active competition such as may
serve to bring stock and fat cattle nearer to-
gether in price than may be relished by farm
ers, who for months formerly have been law
ishly feeding their corn to stock We have,
within few days, heard experienced and
good men express their belief that choice
fat cattle, such rs are now selling at 81 p
as 80, win in little while not exceed 81,
and that medium grades viii fall from what
may be supposed their present low values, III
similar and further degree is the better
grades.
Whether these views be realized or Iot,
We cannot tell but this is clear; that the
tendency of the cattle market Is to-day, as
it has been for weeks past, downward. The
comparatively high and extreme prices which
for years past have been pad for hogs, has
made fresh pork a sort of luxury, which
could only be enjoyed by the more wealthy :;
but now that it is the cheapest fresh meat IN
market, consumers have made change Of
base, and 10 such an extent, tina: the demand
for beef has materially fallen oh, and the
demand fer pork product more than doubled.
A few years since, when the speculative life
of the country ran high, but few among rs
cared for a few cents per pound IN purchas-
ing supplies for the table; now, however, all
has changed Instead of plenty and excess,
there is a privation and poverty largely IN
termingled among our rural and city popu-
lations, and therefore an anxiety displayed
to make every cent 90 as far as 1t can. We
may further state as an active cause OF the
present weakness and depression in our beef
| cattle trade, the radical changes which have
taken pace within few years IN slaughter
Ing and preparing it for the market. Dur
ing the past year an enormous number OF
| cattle were slaughtered in the west, for the
purpose of preparing canned and eorned
beef. which can to-day be had cooked and
ready for the table at very nearly the same
if not a lower, price than it can be pur-
chased fresh from the butcher. 1t Is true
| that large quantities of these meats are ex-
| ported TO other countries, but We must not
overlook the fact that our eastern cities are
| also using this largely, nor can We help The
conclusion that to the influences now referred
to NAV be attributed much of the depression
| which for some time past has been reported
from New York and all our eastern markets
OF course, all sorts of excuses are alleged as
the active causes-mild weather, or ram, or
large receipts; but We fancy We see through
them all the shadow of restricted demand
plainly outlined. Whatever views western
cattle dealers hold upon this subject, We may
not know; bGt any way. 1t Is to be hoped
that they will rot run the risk of contract
ing cattle for futures upon the quotations OF
the market to-day. Indeed. TO our view,
there has not for years been a poorer time
for specalating, either in beef or pork