, 1884-03-18
CHICAGO CATTLE.
Review of Last Weeks Market
Rates.
The Ruling Prices of Graded
Sheep.
Quotations by Telegraph of
Yesterdays Sales.


Especial Correspondence Democratic Leader.
CHICAGO, March 1.-THE cattle market
rules dull but steady. There is a little
better inquiry for export grades, and as
the suitable offerings are few the market
for that class is firm but with an average
supply prices would undoubtedly rule
lower, as exporters have been heavy los
ers lately. Advices from abroad continue
adverse to any active movement. Within
the last few days prices of cattle have de-
clined cent, the latest quotation for best
American steers being 10 cents per III,
dressed; hence, Notwithstanding the re-
cent decided drop in ocean freights, the
prices at which fat cattle are selling here
would seem to leave no margin for profit
to exporters. The foreign sheep market
is also depressed, prices being l cent lower
than a week ago, with best quoted at II
cents.
AT the opening of the week with com
paratively moderate receipts, statesmen, as
a rule were inclined to take n hopeful
view, and hold cattle at higher prices.
Buyers, however, were decidedly on the
other side of the fencel The market
was, therefore, uneven, in some instances
stronger and in others weaker, but on the
whole there was not much change. Ira
ding was rather slow, but a large volume of
business was done. Exporters were
mostly out of the market, as the decline
in prices abroad did not meet with a CORE
spending reduction in this city, and con
sequently no disappointment was mani
tested over the absence of fancy heavy
export beeves.
In the market for COWS and mixed cat
tie there was no material change as com
pared with the close of last week. Good
grades were in demand, butchers and
canner being active buyers. Prices were,
on the whole, about steady.
Stockers and feeders were dull and
heavy. There was on hand a heavy accu-
mutation of stock which sellers, of course
were a%nxions to unload even at 400 so
cents from prices at the close of last week,
but buyers were scarce and held back for
a still further decline in values.
As the week advanced the smallness of
supplies enabled sellers to have things
pretty much their own way and although
the demand was not very active, prices for
shipping and ~butchering beeves were
about l0(Gl5 cents higher. Fancy heavy
steers were nominally unchanged but
none of that kind of cattle came forward,
exporters claiming that at present prices
there is little or no profit for them. Dress
ed beef buyers were fair purchasers, and
a good many light and medium grades of
steers, as well as some Texans, and mum
erous lots of good fat cows fell into their
hands, prices ruling stronger all around.
Shippers of live cattle generally wanted
good, fat steers of medium weights, and
the supplies of the best grades were hardly
up to the requirements of that branch of
the trade.
Butchers stock continued steady with
a good demand for steers from the city
trade and Gamers taking all the poor lots.
Stockers and feeders were not easily
moved at former prices, but they were
not to be had at any important decline.
The supply continued accommodating and
the trade was slow.
Toward the close of the week receipts
showed a marked increase. The demand
was small and the market was exceeding
dull. Bids for shipping cattle were l5(G
% cents lower and the trade was very un-
satisfactory to statesmen. Fat, blocky,
cattle met with a fair demand and did not
suffer as much as rough and thin grades.
The general market, however, was weak
and sales averaged 100 Is cents lower.
Quotations were from So. OO(@6. 30 though
few cattle got above 800 and not many
went below $40.
Little change was noted of the market
for butchers stuff. There was an active
demand, and, the supply being only mod.
crate, prices ruled steady. Cows sold at
an extreme range of 81. 05@5 !. 90, the bulk
going at SO. 1905. Sales of bulls ranged
SO. 5OCG5. so for inferior to choice. Steers
brought s.. GOA 80.
The market for stockers and feeders was
sluggish but without much change. Buy.
ers were more plentiful but they were not,
disposed to advance rates any. Stocker
sold at 81. OO(94.9O and feeders at SAFE
@5.25,
In the sheep market receipts have some,
what increased toward the end of the
week, while the demand is weaker. Low
grade sheep were badly neglected, West
ern sheep are 25cents lower than at tn,
close of last week, while the general de
cline is l5(@2O cents. Sales ranged iron
SO. 400 800 for inferior to choice grade
but the bulk changes hands at about
S.. 20.
Mondays Telegraphic Report.