, 1888-11-04
DOWN AGAIN,
The Cattle Market Dull and
Irregular,
With Good Rangers in Fair
Demand.
Heavy Shipments the Cause of
Low Prices.
Special pIspatch to TIE LEADER.

NiN>"N Dh'H1'Nh he Ih-ADEN.
CHICAGO, Nov. 3.-Good range cattle,
Texans and medium natives are l5925c
lower than a week ago, and trade is dull,
irregular and unsatisfactory. Prime ma
tlves are pretty nearly holding their own,
but sales are no longer made as high as
So, as fine beeves as any one could want
being obtainable at around $40. Very
little stock is offered hat is good enough
to bring even So, and all classes of buyers
continue to give most of their attention to
rangers. Eastman's buyers were entirely
out Of the market until very near the close
OF the week, and several other big ship
pers bought only from hand to mouth.
Eastern markets are not in a condition
calculated to inspire shippers with a de-
sire to purchase, and the export trade is
seriously checked by the bad foreign mar
kets and by the decline in American beef
abroad. Latest private cables quote re-
trigerated beef in British markets dull at
a scant 7t(97@c per pound, which is as
low as 1t has been at any time this year,
while the steamer engaged in the meat
carrying trade are not making their usual
regular time. Some recent shipments Of
American cattle to British markets have
lost as high as l5c per head for the ex-
porters.
Rangers are selling relatively the best
In the Chicago market, but many Texans
are going low owing to their poor quality,
and not a few Westerns are common and
cheap. Good rangers are making only
about So. 800 90 against 81. 0O(04.I5
last week, and the best Texans are selling
as low as S 2.65(92. So. According to a
prominent commission house the pros
poets are now that there are about 1907
600 Westerns and Texans to come for
ward in the next four weeks and not much
improvement in prices can therefore be
expected. 1t is certainly evident that the
number OF range cattle to be marketed
has been underestimated, and there is lit
tie use trying to guess at the result.
Those who have made up their minds to
dispose OF a certain number of cattle will
ship Anyway, while others may hold over
until another year or ship and take their
chances. Under these circumstances it J. is
OF course impossible to get anything like
fair prices for the ordinary run of natives.
Still, with all this, it should be noted that
lllCCS diC ulBueT ludn Il year ago Tor
everything except common canner and
light stockers which are so low as to
scarcely pay expenses and hides. Prime
cattle are fully 75c higher than a year
ago.
Dressed beef men are supplying their
wants at $2.6594. IS, chiefly at $4. 200
$50, while Eastern shippers pay $3.50
5.25, the bulk of their purchases being at
So. 7504.50. Montana, Wyoming and
Colorado steers sell chiefly at 81. S5(G4.25
aud average $50 to | $50 pounds. Texas
steers, 50. 10000 c.
Native COWS and thin bulls are down to
the lowest figures of the year. More COM
mon canning COWS have sold this week at
$l.25(9l so than for any corresponding
period this year, and anything above 50
seems a big price for good lots.
Stockers and feeders continue dull, with
the ordinary DAYS sales not above eight
or ten carloads. There are no Eastern
orders and Western farmers must be buy
ing their feeders elsewhere. Prices for
fair to good stockers, too, are down to low
water mark.