The Somerset reporter., 1897-10-14
IN HUB MARKETS..
A Dull and Very Unsatisfactory
State of Butter Market.

Grocers Using Cold Storage Stocks and
Acting Independently of the Receivers
of Fresh supplies-Potatoes In Large
Supply and Hard to Sell.
Boston, Oct. 13.-There has been a dull
md unsatisfactory butter, market for
a week past. The few buyers that were
around took small lots at about last
weeks prices, but aside from these very
little business was done Cold storage
stock was in fair demand, but even this
kind was not selling as freely as a week
ago. The hot weather seemed to have
taken all the life out of the market, and
both buyers and sellers were Indifferent,
the latter because they knew il would
be useless to try to enforce sales at any
reasonable price. The supply of strictly
fine fresh made creamery is small
enough to make holders feel that II will
be wanted later, and some of it has been
put away for future use but this is
rather risky business while there is so
much coed June stock waiting for pur-
chasers A better demand, however,
must soon spring up.
974 tubs and 20, 347 boxes. total of S97, =
705 pounds, against 9iJ725 pounds the
previous week and s7O,946 pounds for
the corresponding week last year. This
shows a falling off as compared with the
previous week, but an increase as com
pared with last year. The cold storage
statement for the week is as follows:
Put in 1888 tubs. taken out O,234 tubs.
stock 1854 tubs. against 1S5,67S tubs
same time last year. For the corre-
spending week last year 1921 tubs were
put in and 10, 733 tubs taken out.
In the absence of sales, emily nominal
prices can be given for Wholesale lots
of fresh butter. The best makes of
Vermont. New Hampshire and New
York creamery in tubs were held at
% cents, and sales in a small way were
made at that price, but it was evident
that concessions of half cent would
have to be made in order to place round
lots Boxes were plentiful and slow Of
sale at 2212 to % cents In fact buyers
were not willing to pay over p cents.
The market may, therefore, be quoted
at 2112 to % cents for best Northern in
tubs, and at % to 23 cents in boxes. For
the bulk of the Western fresh creamery
on the market 2l cents was a full SELL
ing price. Occasional fancy lots in as
sorted size spruce tubs brought 21i2 to
q cents, but only in a small way.
Buyers seemed to be Indifferent to the
cost price in the West, and receivers who
refused to concede to the views OF the
buyers are forced to hold their goods
June stock lis taken in preference, and,
while this butter can be obtained at
Is to 20 cents, the fresh made goods at
cents more will have to wait This
state of affairs may not continue very
long, as the Northern fresh make viii
be curtailed as soon as the cold weather
sets in and the West Virginia cream
cries will have more control of the mar
ket, but the future Is doubtful.
There has been a moderate johbing
trade the past few dIys, but it has not
| been general Some dealers report a
good movement while others complain
of very small orders The range of
prices is from % to 70 cents, including
tubs and boxes, hut they find II very
hard to get fair margin Of proht on fine
fresh goods, and have to work in as
much held stock IL they can. GruCers
are also using UP their stocks of cold
storage butter, and for this reason they
are somewhat independent of the re
cevers of fresh stock. All these matters
taken together explain Why the Boston
market on fresh creamery is the lowest
in the country at present
There continues To be a dull sale for
cheese. and prices are without change
Sales of choice run along at to 10 cents
in lots as wanted, and it is hard to get a
bid for large lots at an cents. Receivers
are pretty firm on the finest Septem-
bers and hold them for a better market
The egg market has ruled fairly
steady for several days past, but prices
take IA wide range as the quality of the
receipts varies considerably. The bulk
of the western range from 16 to Il cents
but choice selected Michigan command
Is cents. Eastern fresh sold at Is to q
cents with a much higher range for
fancy new aid. Refrigerator stock "A
to Is cents, The stock in cold storage or
Saturday was 6S 256 cases, against 81, ,07l
cases same tifur last year
Beans have been slow, with an easier
tendency in prices Choice marrow peas
are down To Sl.10. and mediums to 81 IL
per bushcl yellow eyes and red kid
large supply and hard to sell at tbs
depots at over 20 cents per bushef
Apples are plentiful and meeting with
a good sale at fairly steady prices
The peach season Is about over. Pears
plums, grapes and cranberries continue
in good supply.