The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-14
PORK PACKING IN THE WEST.



tUinclnnati Price Current. January 81
In accordance with our custom for many
years we herewith submit to the public a
statement showing the total number OF hogs
packed In the West for the first half Of the
winter season, compared with corresponding
time last year, and estimates for the present
season to the close, compared with the final
returns for last winters packing.
Our returns from interior points are not go
full In number as we could desire, owing
probably to the lateness at which our inqui-
ries were mailed last week. Some half dozen
Of the reports were deficient In the estimate
for the season, which we have flied out ac-
cording to our Judgment. 30 as 10 make the
tables complete. The accompanying tables
embrace returns from 1877 interior points.
which last year packed rs per cent Of all the
packing outside Of the six large cities. A
considerable number Of reports OF minor Inn
portance are omitted.
The general tenor of our advices Ia that the
heys have been mark eted early this season
on account OF the low D rices, and the prospect
that they would not increase In yaluC enough
to pay for the corn which they would con
sumo. Many points where hogs were plenty
year ago are now destitute Of stock which
can be prepared Tor market during the winter
packing season.
The reports are numerous that there ia
large increase In packing by farmers. who
being dissatisfied with the prices which they
could obtain for hogs, have slaughtered and
cured them 1T home That such Is the natural
result OF low prices Is attested by mast ex-
perience; low prices always stimulates home
packing, and high prices bring nearly ali the
hogs 10 market.
Regarding the supply Of hogs for summer
packing, our reports very, decidedly Indicate
few points in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri. and
Kansas report a small Increase: a few more
points say about the same; but the majority
none at all, or % to rs per cent less. In Iowa,
Illinois, Wisconsin. Nebraska and Minnesota,
the reports are little more favorable for
moderate summer supply. but even In these
States the indications are that It Will be much
less than last year. Most OF the expressions
are that corn ia relatively higher than pork,
and that 1t does not pay to feed hogs. there
fore farmers are making little or no prepara-
lions to fatten hogs for summer marketing.
There are complaints that the excessively
Sod weather has caused the loss OF many
young pigs, especially where deep snow has
prevailed. and fears are expressed that this
vii be so general as to materially reduces the
basis OF future supplies. Whether there ID
eufiicient ground for this or not. one thing Is
certain, and that is that less care Is exercised
% produce and preserve anything when It Is
cheap than when 1t can be made to yield q
good profit. The conclusion seems to be ire
ysstible that the supply OF summer hogs will
not equal last year, but, on the contrary, will
oemuch less.
At the six large cities the packing to date
{eaches S.545,o00 hogs, against 2, 490, 900 last
pear, an Increase of 1,055,000. At Cincinnati
me Increase Is $4,000: weight supposed to be
Hn or twelve pounds lighter than last year,
SnQ lard relatively large decrease. The
prevailing opinion among packers seems to
mulcate that the total number for the season
M nay not reach over &C, 900 head OF Cincinnati.
1a ,S would 6e $4,000 Ia excess o. last winter .