The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-03-18
IN HUB MARKETS.
Receivers of Butter Disposed
to Show Backbone.

Of-Rate Dropped by JObbers Egg
Prices Struck a Steady, but Not Very
Remunerative Basis.
Boston, March 16.-The quality of this
weeks receipts shows a decided change
for the better in butter. Very little
desirable stock was carried over from
last week, and the supply since has been
only moderate, so that receivers can
afford to show 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 stoch
being out of the way, dealers are now
| forced to use the new make, and this will
materially increase its consumption
The quality of butter needed for the full
wants of the trade each week is not less
| than 900, 600 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 81 cents for assorted tubs, and
! 2112 cents for boxes, but buyers did not
want to pay over Il cents for any kind
of a package, and thought they ought to
get tubs at 201a cents. Sellers were
willing to concede half a cent decline
from last week, while buyers wanted a
cent off. A quotation of 2012 to p cents
may be given for tubs and Il to 211a
cents for boxes. The proportion OF
boxes to tubs this week is not as Lara,
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 1914
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 were
made at Is cents, and this is now the
top for what remains. AS the stock is
pretty well picked over, holders will prob
ably be disposed to let it go at lower
rate.
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
% and % 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 a falling market.
The receipts of butter for the week
were 1922 tubs and a. 716 boxes, a total
of 624, $50 pounds, against SCI, 233 pounds
the previous week and 612, ZIG pounds for
the corresponding week last year. Last
weeks receipts did not come up to ex-
pectations, 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, 1913
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, 1921 tubs, against 1929 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 53s
to cents per pound. The best northern
fall has been selling in round lots for
to So cents and in a small way at
cents. Dealers are of the opinion that
factory men should not make any foder
cheese this icy
will tend to further depress the market.
There has been good business in eggs
the past week, and prices seem to have
struck a steady basis. For the best
western IL cents was the ruling price.
Special marks were held at liz cents
with some sales, but most buyers CON
sloered IL cents the top, and some lots
were bought at 10% cents. Southern
sold mostly at 101a cents. Eastern fresh
ruled at IL to liz cents, and some fancy
marks held higher
The bean market has been quiet and
easy ana choice marrow pea sold this
week at $1.10 to SLIP per bushel. Me-
dlum are In light supply and held at
S.15. Other kinds unchanged.
The potato situation has not changed
during the week. The best eastern
hebrons are hard to sell at over rs cents,
while western green mountains com
mand S5 to 8S 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
6 to cents per pound; white clover 10
to 10 cents per pound; timothy, $3.50 TO
$3.50 per bushel, and red top. $3.50 to "a
per sack, and II to 10 cents per pound
New maple sugar and syrup have ar
rived and selling fairly. Old sugar and
syrup dull.
BOSTON PRODUCE MARKET.
Potatoes-Potatoes are in full supply,
except that fancy rose for seed is