St. Paul daily globe., 1884-04-21
PROVISIONS AT CHICAGO.
A Comprehensive Review of the Trade
for the Past Week.
Especial Telegram to the Globe


CHICAGO, April 19.-The market for hog
products attracted considerable attention
during the past week from the speculative
interest, vet the volume of business trans
acted was lighter. An unsettled feeling pre-
vailed during greater portion of the time,
and prices fluctuated considerable. The
speculative offerings were liberal early in the
week, and prices declined materially on the
leading descriptions. Toward the close
decidedly stronger feeling was developed
and prices partially rallied again, showing
considerable steadiness, though prices are
lower than one week ago. The shipping de-
mand was fair, and it is understood that buy
ers have accepted considerable product in
advance, which had been purchased on May
contracts, especially lard, short rib, sides
and hams The receipts of hogs were some
what larger, which attracted some attention,
especially from the speculative element The
market in general way is in very nervous
and sensitive condition, and changes in the
price of speculative articles are effected
by very slight influences, aud spec
ulative trading centered in contracts for
May, June and July delivery and operators
are transferring their contracts ahead as
much as possible. The receipts of product
were only fair and the shipments were mod
crate. The export movement still shows
gradual decrease compared with the returns
of last year. The outlook for a good supply
of hogs during the midsummer months is
regarded as more encouraging.
The foreign demand for hog products was
comparatively light and trading limited to
filing few orders for lard and special cuts
of bacon. Some property previously pur-
chased and accepted in contracts and is be
ing forwarded. Dispatches from the Liver
pool market showed no material change in
that quarter, and the continental markets
were SLOW Prices were reported unchanged
excepting for lard, which was IS. Sd. lower.
Manufacturers forwarded moderate quanti-
ties of the product to their agencies abroad.
The domestic demand for hog products
during the past week was only moderately
active, the irregularity in prices checking
business to some extent. The demand was
chiefly from parties who require product for
immediate wants. Orders from the south
were fair, but chiefly for small quantities
and mainly from interior points. Some of
the larger points accepted round lots on ma
turing contracts. Fair quantities of mess
pork, shoulders and sides were shipped to
that quarter.
Made with the Pacific coast market con-
tinues of a limited character, and the de
mand is mainly for special articles. Orders
from the lumber districts and Canada, show
a little improvement, yet they are still small.
The demand from the mining and agrcul-
tural districts of the northwest was light
Orders from the eastern markets were fair,
but trading was comparatively light as they
were generally limited to figures below the
views of sellers.
There was considerable trading in the mar
ket for mess pork during the past week, but
the feeling was unsettled and nervous, and
prices fuctuated frequently and within quite
q wide range. Offerings were free early and
a gradual reduction in prices of 50c@51 was
submitted to. Toward the close a firmer feel
ing prevailed and prices rallied 40@50c and
closed comparatively steady. The shipping
inquiry was fair, especially for small lots.
The receipts were light and ship
ments moderately large. Other
cuts of pork were in better demand and a
lalI DuSluC6S was IeDOTleu dG OUtNlIOC uCCllnP
on most descriptions. A good business was
reported in the lard market, but at very ir-
regular range Of prices. Spectators traded
rather freely and there was fair inquiry in
quiet way for shipment, including few
orders from abroad. Early in the week
an easier feeling prevailed owing
to rather free orders, and prices
gradually receded 30034c per
100 pounds. Within the past day or two
more strength was developed, and prices
rallied 15@20c and closed steady. The re-
ceipts from the interior were moderate and
the shipments considerably enlarged. The
movement and manufacture for the week
show decrease in the supply Of about 1000
tierces, and the stock ON hand may be esti-
mated at about 112, 900 tierces.
moderate business was transacted in the
market for beef products and prices ruled
easier for most descriptions. Offerings were
only fair, and the demand was chiefly for
small quantities. Foreign advices were
rather unfavorable to sellers and the eastern
markets were easier and stocks not very large
Beef hams were in fair demand and prices a
shade lower. Mess beef was quiet and prices
about 25c lower. Extra mess beef was in
moderate request in the way of filling small
orders, but prices were easier and 25c lower
Plate beef was in light demand, and prices
5O(075c lower. Extra plate beef was rather
quiet, and prices 50075c lower. Tallow was
in moderate demand and prices unchanged.