Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-09
A REVIEW OF TRADE.
Butter Substitutes Knocking Out the
Genuine Article.
HIDES AND LEATHER VERY QUIET.
Condition of Country Roads Prevents Sup
ply Of Grain.
HOG PRODUCTS ARE ON TIE DECLINE
OFFICE OF PrTTsBURG DISPATCH, I
SATURDAY. December 2, 1889.

OFFICE OF PrTTsBURG DISPATCH,
SATURDAY. December z, 1889.
Demand for choice grades of domestic and
Swiss cheese is steadily improving and
prices are hardening. It is only an ex-
eeptional cheese factory that is now in
operation, and stock will be for the most
part in the hands of dealers. There is little
doubt of an early advance all along the line. It
is also true Of creamery. but choice grades are
very firm and the drift is toward higher prices.
Country butter drsgs, and the reason as given
by dealers is that butterine is being handled
here once again in large quantities. Some say
that not less than four carloads of butterine
are shipped from Chicago to this city every
week. One firm is reported to have received
three carloads this week.
Very Large Consumption.
These figures imply consumption of 100, 900
pounds and over every week. Fines and i'm
prisonments have evidentlylost their terror to q
multitude Of retail grocers Upon inquiry it
was ascertained that the rates Of butterine to
the jobber are II to 15c and that retail prices
are ~ to SOC. varying according to the state
ment of one Of our merchants, According to
the elasticity of conscience belonging to the
tradesman."
1t is claimed that the law forbidding the sale
of butterine is much more respected in the
eastern than western part OF the State. A
Chicago manufacturer, who was before Con-
gressional committee of investigation year or
more ago in answer to a query, SAID that est
ern Pennsylvania furnished their best custom.
Cereals Show an Improved Tone.
We note an improved tone to markets in the
past week particularly for corn and oats. Sup
ply has not been up to demand for some days.
md nd fron dfr,nr FOUR nm
hlled. The condition of country roads has
prevented farmers from getting stuff to mar
kets. The first appearance Of cold weather
will no doubt relieve the scarcity.
Flour is quiet. Our jobbers are carrying
heavy stocks, having laid in large supplies in
anticipation of an advance in freight rates be-
tween here and Chicago which did not come.
An advance of 5 cents per barrel between
Minneapolis and Chicago, went into effect on
the 10th of November.
Hog Products All Declining.
The low price of hogs-the lowest for many
years-has brought reduction in the price of
large hams breakfast bacon and lard. The
ruling rates for the best selected packing hogs
at Chicago have varied very little from a range
of S3 65@3 70 the week past. At East Liberty
the run has not been 50 heavy this week as last
and prices are shade stronger. There is
scarcely room for a further decline in hog
products. as prices have been for some time
down to hard pan. Margins are so narrow that
IN some lines Of provisions packers claim that
they are wiped out altogether.
Leather and Hides.
The season is now here when the leather
trade is at its quietest, and no improvement is
looked for until after the holidays Allegheny
tanners report stock to be accumulating and
markets weak. Retailers are in the habit Of
carrying light stocks at this time of the year,
preparatory to posting books. Hence manu-
facturers are forced to carry heavier loads than
usual in the month of December. While there
is no reduction in the prices of harness leather,
present rates are hardly justified IN the light
of the Eastern outlook. The demand for calf
skins is better than it has been for some
months past, but there are no signs Of an ad-
vance. The feeling is that prices are down
to bedrock, and that there cannot be any
change for the worse.
December cured hides were reduced Nc in
the past week, for the reason that winter hides
depreciate in quality. Heavy steer hides are
steady, but light weights go very slow. There
has been no time since the war when calf skins
and light hides touched as low figures as dur
ing the past few months. And with the present
prices Of live stock there are no signs of i'm
provement in sight, certainly none for month
to come.
Prices In Detail.
Following are prices, as furnished by James
Gallery & Son: