The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1897-04-01
IN HUB MARK TS.
Butter Market Unsettled and
Prices Fluctuate.
Chees. Unchanged Eggs In Good supply
at Low Prices Onions scarce and High.
Old Vegetables Cheap New Maple sugar
Coming In.

Coming In.
Boston, March 3L-The butter market
is in an unsatisfactory condition There
has been a material advance in prices
in the West, but although receipts con-
tinue to run light here ii is difficult to
sell at much over last weeks rates.
Buyers are very much opposed to follow
ing any advance 50 late in the season.
because they know that the make is
steadily increasing, and that prices will
be lower just as soon as there is the
least surplus.
Trade with jobbers and retailers is
light, and 1t is claimed that it will be
difficult to get any higher prices from
the consumers. Therefore. a rise now
means a loss to dealers. and il naturally
will be resisted as much as possible.
Still our market cannot stand still while
all others are rising, and small buyers
must be prepared to pay little more
than last week for the same class of
goods.
For finest lots of Vermont and New
Hampshire 2112 to % cents WAS obtained,
but buyers were slow 10 pay the OUTSIDE
figure except in small way. Tubs in
assorted sizes sold fully as high as boxes,
and in some instances the tubs were
preferred at the same price.
Extra Western moved off pretty well
at 20 to 81 cents. and receivers talked
of getting higher rate for later arrivals.
A few special makes which have popu-
lar reputation sold about even with
Northern.
There was considerable inquiry for
choice limitations and the few offered
brought full prices, say l6 to II cents,
but most of the fresh ladies was not
worth over y cents. Fresh Northern
dairy was in fair demand. and small
lots sold at Is cents, hut the general run
was not worth over II to Is cents. No
cold storage stock Of any consequence
was offered
There Is no change to note In the
cheese market. Demand continues
moderate, and sales run along in lots
as wanted at u to 12l2 cents for best
fall make. Holders are confident that
stock will clean UP at full prices, as 1t
is steadily decreasing and cannot be re-
placed by new for some time to come
There has been fair business in eggs
during the week, but no excitement.
In fact, the market has been rather
tame for the season and prices have run
along without material change Choice
Western have been selling at 10l4 tol0lo
cents. the outside for selected lots for
cold storage. Southern sold mostly at
10 cents, and Eastern at 10la to II
cents.
Onions have been the great attrac-
ton of the week. Supplies dropped off
several days ago and the small stock
here is in few hands. There has been
an advance of about 81 In week, al
though for some time previous they
were gradually gathering strength No
relief is expected until foreign supplies
come along about the middle of April.
Beans continue plentiful and no i'm
provement in prices can be reported
Choice marrow pea and mediums are
offered freely ut IS to 30 cents per hushc'
New Maple sugar is arriving freely
and demand is light. For best L cents
a pound is a top price and good dea'
will have to be sold lower There wa
a large quantity carried over from last
year Syrup is in liberal supply and
selling slowly at 60 to Is cents per gallon
for new and 30 to IS cents for old.
Grass seed is meeting with fair de
mand and prices are steady. Dealers
quote as follows: Timothy, I.45 to
S1.70 per bushel; red top, Is to 81 per
sack; clean red top. Is to Is cents pei
pound: alsyke clover, 81 to II cents;
red clover, ~ to 10 cents; white clover,
IA to 16 cents per pound.