, 1888-11-18
The Cattle Market.

Special Dispatch to the Leader.
CHICAGO. Nov. l7.-Buslness in the
cattle market is again slow aud ~unsatis-
factory on a basis of about last weeks
closing prices. The week opened with
very light offerings, which were chiefly
natives, and the fact that the range cattle
season is drawing to a close being forcibly
brought home to dealers they scrambled
around after stock in a lively fashion car
rylng prices up a strong zoe. The demand
was really not especially active but the
curtailed supply made 1t seem so and the
general quality of the cattle in the Yards
was not very good. An advance of lc per
pound in English markets had perhaps
something to do with the improvement
here, but not much, as the export move
ment is far from animated. The gain was
very general and embraced all cattle that
we're at all desirable, whether shipped
from the range or farm, and the scarcity
of rangers even pushed up the coarse and
common natives somewhat.
However, as the week advanced and the
fat stock show got fairly under way great
numbers of Western stock ~raisers we're
attracted from points near and remote.
As nearly all of them bring more or less
stock with them receipts of cattle, sheep
and hogs were greatly increased. Some
tunes a pass on account of stock during
tat stock show time costs several times as
much as a first.class passenger ticket
would, but country shippers are always on
hand ready to risk it.
Texans and rangers held up pretty
well, but the medium and common ma
tlves, the So. so (G$4.25 cattle, such as
had to compete with the rangers fell a
good 2Oc., wiping out all the early gain.
Only a few loads of prime natives have
been offered and they show no material
change in price. Shippers are fair buy
ers and so are local slaughterers. both
taking a good many rangers, as
well as numerous natives. No
shipping or dressed beef natives have had
to go below So. So, and on the other hand
very few have been sufficiently fine to
fetch above So. Steers averaging less
than 200 lbs. sell at SO. 35(9S4. so, and
those averaging 1000 to 1,4O0 lbs. bring
So. 50(9$ IS 25. The few good fat beeyes
offered command s.. 259$5. SO, but there
are no really choice animals coming in.
1t seems wonderful that feeders should
be so anxious to rush their cattle in be-
fore they are fat and then grumble be-
cause prices are no better. 1t is not so
very long ago that the best beeves we're
fetching up around Sc. Is. and they have
remained above &c. until the present time.
Rangers are in relatively better demand
than natives. Texas cows sell at 81. SOFA
81. so, with steers 50. I5(9$3. 20. Rang
ers from Wyoming, Montana Dako.a
and Colorado are freely bought 81. 500
1920.
On an average prices for range cattle
have been higher this year than in 1887,
and those who marketed early were espec-
Tally favored. Ranchmen have got rid of
most of their stock that cost higher prices
at a small profit, and having stocked up
with low priced young cattle and feed be-
ing plenty the business is in good shape.
Montana cattle have sold best, although
stock from Northern Wyoming being of
much better quality than last year has
brought good figures. Southern Wyo-
ming and Colorado shipments have not
improved much and consequently have
advanced less.
Good butchers stock-prime fat COWS
and rbeeyes-is fullyI5a-higher thanIast
week, and steady. Thin old cows. can
ming stock and rough stuff generally did
not share In the upturn at the opening of
the week, and is now selling about as. low
as any time.
Stockers and feeders are very dull.
There are of course a few transactions
from day to day, but the general trade is
in a decidedly unsatisfactory condition.