The Somerset reporter., 1898-03-17
IN HUB MARKETS.
Receivers Of Butter Disposed
to Show Backbone.

Of-Rate Dropped by JObbers-Igg
Prices Struck Steady, but Not Very
Remuneratiye Basis.
Boston, March l6.-The quality OF this
heeks receipts shows a decided change
Tor the better in butter. Very little
last week, and the supply since has bsen
only moderate, SO that receivers can
afford to show a little backbone, but
they cannot wholly check the downward
tendency. The New York and western
markets have dropped one cent during
the week, and our dealers will probably
have to follow suit, though there Is
likely TO be demand enough for all the
good butter that comes to hand this
week. Most of the desirable old stock
being out of the way, dealers are now
forced to use the new make, and this will
materially increase it's consumption
The quality of butter needed for the full
wants of the trade each week is not less
than 5000 pounds, and so far the re-
ceipts have run considerably under this
amount Therefore. no radical decline
can be expected here until we have much
larger supplies.
The finest lot of Vermont and New
Hampshire creamery sold to a moderate
extent at q cents for assorted tubs, and
2l1a cents for boxes, but buyers did not
want to pay over Il cents for any kind
OF package, and thought they ought to
get tubs at 2015 cents. Sellers were
willing to concede half cent decline
from last week, while buyers wanted a
cent off. A quotation of 201a to y cents
may be given for tubs and q to PLY
cents for boxes. The proportion of
boxes to tubs this week is not as larH
as last week. Western receivers are
willing to concede a decline of one cent
on most of their receipts, and are sell
ing best creamery in assorted spruce
tubs at 20 cents, and ash tubs at 1917
cents. Some of the fancy makes for
which there are regular customers ruled
half a cent higher but generally speak
ing 20 cents was the top price.
Offerings of the best held butter We're
made at Is cents, and this is now the
top for what remains. As the stock is
pretty we'll picked over, holders will prob
ably be disposed to let ii 60 at a lower
rates
Jobbers have accepted the situation,
and have dropped their rates about one
cent right through. They are now meet
ing the wants of their customers at
Y and 70 cents, with "a cents for fine
boxes. On this basis there is a fair
distribution, and the volume of trade
is perhaps as large as could be expected
on falling market.
The receipts of butter for the week
were 1922 tubs and IA, ZIG boxes. a total
of 624,66 pounds, against S.. .233 pounds
the previous week and 6l2, ZIG pounds for
the corresponding week last year Last
weeks receipts did not come up to ex-
rectations, but they are on the increase
this week and will probably make a
larger showing. The exports of butter
from Boston for the week were IS. .S2g
pounds, against 22.235 pounds for the
corresponding week last year.
The statement of the Quincy Cold
Storage company for the week is as fol-
lows: Put in, none: taken out. 3711
tubs; stock, 8221 tubs, against S629 tubs
same time last year For the CORE
spending week last year 1854 tubs were
taken out and nothing put In.
There has been a slow trade in cheese.
and prices have favored buyers all the
week. Holders are considerably dis
couraged, and have been selling early
made stock at very low prices. say 5H
to cents per pound. The best northern
rail- has been selling in round lots for
to S1a cents, and in a small way at
cents. Dealers are Of the opinion that
factory men should not make any foder
cheese this year. as 1t is not wanted. and
will tend to further depress the market
Ihere has been good business In eggs
the past week. and prices seem to hav.
struck steady basis. For the best
western II cents was the ruling price
special marks were held at Tx cents
with some sales, but most buyers con
sidered II cents the top, and some lots
were bought at 10% cents. Southern
sold mostly at 1012 cents. Eastern fresh
ruled at II to 1113 cents and some fame,
marks held higher.
The bean market has been quiet anc
easy, and choice marrow pea sold this
week at s1.10 to SLIP per bushel. Me.
dunn are in light supply and held al
$1,15. Other kinds unchanged.
The potato situation has not changed
during the week. The best eastern
hebrons are hard to sell at over Is cents
while western green mountains com
mand So to IS cents. All kinds of old
vegetables are dull. Apples slow and
weak
The grass seed trade starts off well
but at very low prices. Dealers quote
wholesale lots as follows: Red clover
to cents per pound; white clover. il
to l3 cents per pound; timothy. s1.bo tc
Sl,S0 per bushel, and red top 80. so to s.
per sack, and II to 10 cents per pound.
New maple sugar and syrup have ar
rived and selling fairly. Old sugar and