The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1898-04-07
IN HUB MARKETS.
Product of the Dairy a Scarce
Article In the Country.

Likely to Continue Week or Two Longer
Effect Seen In Higher Prices, Even Or
binary Lots Being Held Stifiy- Large
supply of Eggs and Prices Normal.
Boston, April ct is quite number
Of years since the whole country has been
as bare of butter as it is at present and
il promises to continue so for a week OF
two longer. Still Boston buyers are very
conservative. and respond To the add
vance rather slowly. 1t Is hard to con-
vince them that there is d real scarcity.
and for this reason the distributing trade
is likely to run light during the week
The imperative law of supply and de-
mand must be obeyed, and those who
want the butter must pay what it is
worth in other places. The make in
creases slowly both in the east and the
west.
Receivers Of both western and northern
have been almost unanimous in quoting
20 cents az the ruling price for assorted
sizes. Fine western creamery in ash
was sold at Ply cents, and some fancy
lots We're held at 20 cents, but q to 2112
cents was considered a fair selling rate
for extras in ash tubs. Receivers We're
strong in their views and Indifferent
about urging sales, as their advices in
dicated light invoices for another week
at least. Fresh arrivals of New Hamp-
shire and Vermont creamery sold at -
cents in tubs, and 22h cents in boxes
and fancy makes of the latter were held
at 20 cents. For some of the boxes car
| ripd over from La Of IUaaly cap4e
accepted the quality not being of the
! best. There was considerable inquiry
for low grades but none Of any conse-
quence could be found. Very little stock
was offered a 16 or II cents, and most
of the ordinary lots were held at Is to 70
| cents. This is an unusual condition of
affairs for the close of the season.
Jobbers were in quandary. because
their customers were looking for lower
instead Of higher prices. They could
not offer their finest butter under % or
"A cents without a loss, and would have
to get rs cents for boxes After knowing
! just how the general situation is. grocers
may be willing to pay the advance, but
those who were around Monday We're
disposed to fight it as long as possible.
The receipts of butter for the week
| al a
weight of 105. 702 pounds, against 637 800
pounds the previous week and 7O4. SOC
pounds for the corresponding week las
year This shows an increase of nearl.
! 10000 pounds over the week previou.
ana slight gam over last year, but
considering the bare condition of the
market 1t is small supply. The ex-
ports of butter from Boston for the week
| "a tod
| pounds for the corresponding week last
! year.
There is nothing new to say about
cheese. The market is as slow as ever.
and buyers have pretty much their own
way Sales of best fan run along at S
to cents in lots as wanted. and common
TO good at BIZ to I cents Holders Of
really cholc" stock are not disposed to
make any further concessions but the
under grades can be bought at very low
prices.
There has been large supply of eggs
Ior several days past, and sales of good
10 cholce western have ranged from 10
10 lo12 cents. Yesterday most of the
business was at 10 to lOA cents. with an
occasional fancy selected lot at 10is
cents, Several of the fine marks arriv-
| iiB NaHlpt ne DOuPnt Tor less than lOla
cents. Eastern fresh rule at 1917 to II
cents, but as rule buyers are not will
ing to pay more for eastern than west
ern. The stock in cold storage Is now
l4,329 cases, about TO- 200 cases having
been put away last week. Receipts for
the week were 80. l79 cases.
Maple sugar and strip are in liberal
supply and move off slowly. Sugar
ranges from to 10 cents per pound
and strip from so to 20 cents per gallon
The weather is not favorable for the
distribution of grass seed, and trade is
hight. Prices are steady on the follow
ing basis. Red clover, to cents Der
pound; white clover, 10 to 10 cents. tim
othy, $3.50 to $3.50 per bushel, and red
top $3.50 to 81 per sack, and II to l. cents
per pound.
Tallow IS firm at the advance of 1.c.
Bulk 4Q4sc; tai low OIL 41G43c
New York, April 6.-Tanow steady
city 3 S-l6@3 5-S; country, 5-SQ3A, as
to quality.