, 1885-03-22
STEADY BUT QUIET.
The Weeks Business at the
Chicago Yards.
Stockers and Feeders Handled
by the Spectators.
COuntrymen Afraid to Buy
at the Prices.
From our speeIal correspondent.

CHICAGO, March 2O.-Ihe cattle mar
ket during the past week has been steady
with prices fairly up to previous quota
tons.
At the start receipts came in freely on
account of the recent advance, and the
demand falling to exhibit any cores
ponding improvement, buyers were in
clined to hold back. Exporters were dis
couraged from operating by a reported
decline of &c per pound in Liverpool, the
best price offered in that market for
choice American steers being 13lc
dressed. Sellers. however. were firm in
heirrefusal to make any concessions .andas
New York markets seemed to, be on the
up grade. trade gradually grew more ac-
tive. A notable feature was the inquiry
and prices paid for light, slick little steers.
For fat cattle the demand came mostly
from the dressed beef trade, many ship
pers claiming that their orders were lin
tied below the market. No prime
beeves were offered.
Cows and mixed lots were moderately
offered and frst-class butchers stock,
such as fat COWS and heifers good enough
to ship or to be used by the dressed beef
and fancy shop trade, continued to com
mand high prices. Canning stock was
steady, and bulls were slow, especially
%stillers and big heavy animals. No Texas
cattle came in on account Of the strike.
Stockers and feeders were l0@l5c of,
with the bulk Of tho trading between
spectators. So many young cattle had
been sent out during the preceding week
that country buyers were not at all
anxious.
As the week advanced there was nc
marked change either in the character Of
the demand or in prices. The light sup
plies favored strength, but the demand
was not very sharp, and save in scattered
instances, holders were unable to get any
advance. The best lots received did not
grade better than good, and there
were few answering u that descrip-
ton compared to tie medium lots
cromprising the bulk. Dressed beei
operators did a fair share Of the buying
and there was a limited inquiry for ex'
port cattle, though the purchases for En-
glish markets were small.
The butchering and canning trade wa
fairly active, with daily supplies small
Pricys ruled about unchanged, though
buyers made a number Of attempts t,
depress the market.
Stockers and feeders were in goo
demand, Numerous buyers were pres
ent, and there was a sufficiently activI
competition to keep prices firm for every
thing except the poorer sorts.
As the week drew to a close salesmeI
thought that on general principles the
ought to have an advance, and they aske'
accordingly. Fresh receipts were light
though the total arrivals for the weeI
were only slightly less than those Of thu
week before. There was a good demand
from the refrigerator men, and
very fair inquiry from the shipper
of live cattle, but the latte
did not appear to have much confdenc
in the Eastern trade. A good deal o
fat stock from the eastern states is goinl
forward and western shippers are com
PEELED L act with caution. 1t will be
hoovc countrymen to send supplies alonI
regularly and without attempting to tax,
advantage of imaginary or real improve
ments in the trade at intervals. On tn
whole, the market here was without mate
rial change. There was a large amour
Of business done at comparatively goo
prices.
Owing to light receipts and a well sui
tanned demand, butchers stock was actiy
and slightly higher, though very inferic
COWS came in abundantly and sold at yer
low prices. The demand for bulls, also
was not very strong, especially for heav
ones.
In stockers and feeders a good deal Q
business was done, but it took buyers an
sellers a long while to agree on terms
Many countrymen were here looking ft
young cattle, but were afraid to take hol
at present prices.
Closing sales range as follows;
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