St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-04-20
THE BOSTON MARKETS.

Boston, April 19.-Receipts of butter
increased considerably last week. and
there was more than enough to supply
the demand. Since the opening of this
week they show falling off. The de-
cline of / cent in New York was the only
excuse for drop here, and as the make
Of butter in the state is Increasing 1t
may be wise to ease off little. but at
present nobody can see any cause for
much of decline. OF course, 1t Is well
understood that the season for steady
increase in the supply of butter Is near
Mt hand, and that the present scarcity
cannot last much longer, but there Is no
indication any surplus this week. IL
the demand were as brisk as 1t was a
week ago the market would soon be
cleared, but IL buyers persist in holding
off, or take only small lots, 1t is hard to
say what the result will be. 1t Is criti-
cal time for everybody in the batter
business, and sudden changes must be
expected.
After so long a period Of inaction and
weakness 1t Is pleasing to be able to re-
port some Improvement in the cheese
situation. There has been more demand
for few days past for fine fall make,
and sales can be made at n to " cent
higher than a week ago.
Vermont and New Hampshire lots in
assorted sizes could be bought at 21h
cents, and perhaps at 81 cents If buyers
were very ofiish. For best boxes % cents
was the top. Most of the receivers said
that q to 21h cents was fair quotation
for tubs, but that they might not be able
to return more than 81 cents for round
lots. Although 221s cents was given as
an outside price last week, very few
trade sales were made at over % cents.
Northern New York creamery is in bet
ter supply, and it is quoted at about FL
cents. Most of the western receivers
who sell upon the market put their price
down to 81 cents for the same class of
Goods that they got 211h to % cents last
week. Sales were rather light, but west
ern receipts showed little or no increase,
and holders did not see any reason to
force business at any further concession.
Low and medium grades continued in
light supply and prices ruled about the
same as last week. A range of from is
to 10 cents may be given for the bulk Of
the offerings. There Is really no cheap
butter on the market, and very little is
expected for some time, as 1t Is being
bought up in the west by the "sterliz-
ers." Jobbers had no change to make In
their prices, for the good reason that they
did not insist on an advance last week
in keeping with the rise in wholesale lots.
They were supplying the wants Of their
customers at % to "a cents for finest in
tubs and "a to 25 in boxes. The reaction
may cause grocers to expect some con-
cessions, but 1t is doubtful If there will
be much change until the receipts in
crease.
The receipts of butter for the week
were 1904 tubs and 81 ,299 boxes, total
of S792O6 pounds against 705, 7O2 pounds
the previous week and 759, 761 pounds the
corresponding week last year. Here we
have material increase over the we t,
previous and last year, and the tot; |
amount comes very near the estimated
weekly consumption. The statement {
the Quincy Market Cold Storage COM
pany for the week is as follows: Put in,
none; taken out, 1854 tubs; stock, 13 j
tubs, against 1882 tubs same time last
year.
There continues to be good trade in
eggs. and prices are fairly steady. Sales
of western were at 10 to 10A cents for
good to choice. and at 10k cents for spec
ial marks. Some receivers are asking
1O% to II cents for selected lots and what
are not sold are put into cold storage.
Eastern choice rule at 10H to II cents,
but in large way eastern will not COM
mand more than western. Southern sell
at about 10 cents. Receipts last week
aggregated 5O,54O cases, the largest qua,
tity for one week on record. The stoc X
in cold storage on Saturday was 81, 439
cases, against IS, 1877 cases same time last
year.
There is very little change to note in
beans. Marrow pea are selling at 81. 05
to $1.10 per bushel Other kinds are
steady and quiet. Potatoes run along
at about same prices as last week, east
ern hebrons selling at rs to rs cents and
green mountains at IS to IS cents. Sup
plies of southern vegetables are steadily
increasing.
The fine weather has made more de-
mand for grass seed, and dealers are
expecting a good business during the