New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-26
EXPOPTS or PROVISIONS.

The official return Of exports of provisions
is OF especial interest, because this class CT *
ports is the third in importance, and 1t Is still
declining as i. has been for nearly il year.
Unreasonable regulations by foreign Govern
ments it will be remembered, caused the
beginning of a decline, and though Mr.. Blaines
sharp protest when he was Secretary OF State
has had some effect, 1t took time Tor foreign
authorities to become convinced of the JUS tness
of his claims. The great cause Of decrease in
exports OF provisions, however, was the pro-
longed drouth last year, which materially d-
minished the supply of cattle and hogs. Feed
ing became too expensive, in many places
animals could not get food or water some We're
actually starved, and very many were killed
to save the cost Of win,ering them. Fresh beef
became scarce and very high, as consumers in
New FORK have known. The number OF hogs
packed declined largely, and dairy products
were especially affected. This season there
has been a more hopeful feeling. and ,he num-
Der Of animals has increased, but it will take
some time for the supply to become as large
rs it was. The difference in exports of pro-
visions this year. therefore, is mainly due to
the prolonged droutb last fail.
Tho decline in dairy products has been rel
atiyely very large. The value Of butter cx-
ported during the three months ending July
81 was $l4G,2i6, against Sl,27o023 for the
same months last year, the average export
price having risen from III cents in 1881 to
1913 cents in $50 The value oil cheese OK
yortcd has been $l,GG1,OJ3, against
SO, 1914, 1873 for the same months last year, and
the average export price has only advanced
from 1914 cents to 1913 cents. Lard is the only
important article OF which exports have in
creased, and the gain, from 81, 701,112 in July
1851, to $500 ,23S i'll July, lSS2 has been
~ spite OF an advance in average export
price from Ill cents 20 II + cents per pound
In tall0w there has been loss rs to July ui
$4,000; in pork n loss of $4,000; in
fresh beef il loss OF $597, 900 III salt beef
loss of $ll3, 900 in hams a loss of 81 ,GO0
and in bacon n loss Of 81 ,1l3,00O.
From these figures for July, and for dairy pro-
ducts for three months, it appears that Che chief
cause of a decline in exports is one which cannot
be j., medlately removed, namely, the decrease
in number of cattle in consequence of last years
drouih. Scarcity here, and high prices due
mainly to natural but III part also 10 speculative
causes, have been much more ellicacious
in preventing exports of provisions than any
hostile action of foreign Governments The
aggregate value Of provisions and dairy pro-
ducts exported during the past seven months
has been sos, 462,714 in 1852, against
$s2,7II,7l4 in 1881, ard the decline, though
smaller than in bfeadstuhs OF in cotton, has
beer important enough TO have an effect on the
rate of exchange. moreover, though n cOnsd
cradle Improvement may he expected ut once
in the movement of breadstuiis, and after
another month in cotton, the exports of pro-
visions are likely to remain comparatively
light for some months 10 come.