Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-05-27
Pork Packing and Provisions.


The returns for the week show no en-
| largement in the Western packing, the total
| being 100. coo hogs against l95, 600 the pre-
| ccding week and 800, 900 last year-making
| a total of 2,390,00O since March l, against
| 2Gl5, 600 last year, 4 decrease of 10, 600 for
| the week and 225, goo for the season, COM
pared with last year. With this large fall
ing off in number of hogs in current pack
ing operations, there is also very decided
decrease in average weight. There is con-
siderable of yariableness as to quality of
! the marketings: in some instances the re-
turns indicate an improvement over the re-
cent past, and in others decline. In the
larger markets the quality has been change
able, some days better than others, but no
general tendency to increased average
weight IS yet indicated. Prices have re-
ceded during the week, closing about 10
cents per 100 pounds lower than week ago
on the average for places operating. In the
provision trade nothing especially notable
has occurred.
THE current demand for product has
been fair, but not large, there being mani
fest more or less of belief on the part of
receivers in the consuming sections that
prices are likely to be lower in the near
future, and this has led to some cur
tailment in orders. Exports of products
for the week were moderate, falling con-
siderably short of sponding week last
year, more particularly in bacon. Senti-
ment concerning the future develops in
accordance with the view which the oper-
ator takes-if he holds up for special con-
sideration the large stocks of product, and
reasons that enlarged supplies of hogs are
now or nearly due, and gives little heed to
the prospective great and continuous short
age in current marketings compared with
last year, he satisfies himself that the po-
sition justifes lower prices.
ION the other hand, the trader who rec
ognized fully the chances for great reduc-
ton IN the marketable supply of hogs and
in the average weight throughout all the
remainder OF the season, looks upon current
values as not high in any reasonable view
or comparison, regards with Indifference
the evidences of unusually large supplies
of products now and inevitable for weeks
and months to come or undertakes the
probable influence of such supplies upon
values, and calculates that products should
be on parity with corn at its unusual po-
sition regardless of any other bearings,
will be sure TO count with confidence not
only upon maintenance OF values. but rad
zeal improvement not long TO be delayed.
The situation is peculiar and unusual, and
the outcome, not unlikely, will be sur
prise or disappointment TO the majority
of operators in not meeting the expectations
of one class with reference TO q decline or
of the other concerning the anticipated ad-
vance.
There is no demand to be expected. COM
bined with any decrease in manufacture
likely to occur to justify the view that
stocks at the end of October will be other
wise than hberal-while the reduction in
the stocks of product will be continuous
and large, and this fact will naturally prove
helpful in maintaining courage and values
Compared with week ago closing prices at
Chicago for July delivery show decline OF
S. cents on pork, l2A cents per 100 pounds