, 1885-05-24
OUR GREAT INDUSTRY.
The Cattle Market as Reported
From Chicago.
The Market Weak During the
Past Week.
Shipments We're Heavy, But
No Great Demand.
Cattle and Beef.

SdbbAO dAo oCCA-
Special Dispatch to The LRADRR,
CHICAGO, May 23.-The cattle market
during the past week has been generally
weak and lower. At the start the out
look was rather blue. The heavy supplies
were a strong bear argument to begin
with, and the weakness was helped along
by reported declines at New York and
Liverpool The demand from shippers
and exporters, under these circumstances,
was naturally slow, and many buyers held
back in anticipation of even more liberal
receipts later on. Dressed beef men,
however, took hold briskly, and the de-
cline averaged only about l0c, while some
lots which exactly suited the wants of
buyers, sold at steady rates. Very few
choice beeves were offered, and the aver
age quality was not nearly as good as
during the previous week. Fat, light and
medium weight cattle sold relatively much
better than the heavier sorts.
Cows and mixed lots also were weaker.
There was very little competition among
butchers, and offerings were large, being
increased at the start by the arrival of a
fair number of grass Texans. Fat cow
and heifers about held their own, but
other descriptions sold a little cheaper
than at the close of the previous week.
Stockers and feeders were plenty. Few
country buyers were here. however, and
as recent losses had made local speculators
shy, business in this branch of the market
was sluggish. Hence ordinary lots were
much neglected, though fancy young cat
tie were in fairly good demand.
As the week advanced there was no
material change in the market for ship
ping stock. Supplies were heavy but
there was not the big increase that had
been expected, and merchants managed
to dispose of most of their consignments
at fully steady rates There were no fancy
cattle in the pens, but good fat animals
were plenty and some small sales showed
a slight advance. Heavy grades and
poor, undesirable lots were hard to move
ever at shaded rates. Some choice Kan
sas steers fetched $50 and a few of the
right sort would have brought 8. S0@5. 90
and possible $500. Some corn ted Tex
ans averaging l,195 pounds went at
$5.15.
The situation of the market for butch
ers' stock was essentially the same as be-
| fore. The demand from butchers was ac-
tive and while Gamers were inclined to
consider prices too high, the moderate of
ferings kept values steady
The stocker and feeder trade remained
inactive. Yard dealers were well supplied
and timid about loading up any more.
Values ranged about steady, but trade was
slow as the country buyers who were here
considered the prices too high.
Toward the close of the week shipping
stock sagged off again. New York was
lower and the western markets reported
supplies and weaker prices. Buyers here
appeared determined to get better cattle
to better advantage than before, and they
succeeded in forcing decline at 5@1Oc.
Good to choice droves, however, including
handy, light cattle, were easily disposed Of
at scarcely any reduction. The volume Of
business was large and the movement
generally satisfactory all around
Butchers stock was in moderate sup
ply, and the demand being fairly good,
the market was steady. In some instan.
ces choice cows and heifers which have
been selling very well of late, commanded
stronger prices. Only a few good fat
mixed lots were offered, and they wer,
quickly taken. Ginning stock was plenti
full. and emaciated, baggy, skinny OLD
cows sold at low figures.
The market for common to fair yoInl
cattle was comparatively dull and lifeless
Trade was very slow and prices about l5'
lower on all except a few fancy youDl
animals.