The Somerset reporter., 1899-02-16
IN HUB MARKETS.
Butter and Eggs Are In Very
Short Supply,

Boston. Feb. 1.-THE extrem ely cold
weather Of the past few days and the
severe snoWstorm OF Monday have upset
all calculations in regard to supplies Of
butter and prices have taken a strong
upward turn Advances OF to cents
are reported at various points and buy
ers here have 10 pay at least cents more
than last week. How long this condition
of affairs viii last II is hard to tell. as the
make must have been considerably cur
tailed In all the dairy districts
Trade was very light. and hardly
enough business was done to establish
values. but the market was short of fresh
stock and there will probab bly, be enough
demand during the remainder of the
week to enable receivers to obtain very
full prices. Buyers, however, will nat
urally be cautious on a market like the
present. and will operate only TO supply
their most pressing wants. 1t Is alto
gether an abnormal situation, and a
sudden change may be expected any day
The general asking prices for finest
fresh creamery were 20 to "a cents, in
eluding western and northern, but there
were not many sales at over 20 cents
New Hampshire had failed TO arrive. AMI
receivers did not have the goods to offer
For most OF the western In hand % cents
was full rate, and few sales were
made ON that basis. Still, as a rule,
values were to large extent nominal,
with the tendency in favor OF sellers
The storm does not seem to have had
any effect on the cheese market The
supply continues to be ample for the de
mand. and buyers have been taking lots
as wanted at II 10 11l2 cents. This covers
the best fall In large and small sizes.
Sales, fair to good at 8 to 10 cents Hold
ers continue strong and confident in their
views and are not disposed to force bust
ness at the least eOnceS sions, notwith-
standing that trade Is not fully up TO ex-
pectation.
EGGS have been more directly affected
by the cold and stormy weather than
any other article of produce Receipts
last week were light and all were cleaned
up, except the lots held under orders from
shippers. On Monday very few were re-
ceived, and yesterday the market was
almost bare of offerings. Sales of fresh
western on Monday were made at Is to
at rs to 80 cents, the market closing firm
at 80 cents for best marks. Advices from
all shipping points indicated very small
supplies, and the scarcity may continue
during the remainder of the week It is
many years since the conditions were
anything like the pre sent. Held eggs
were sold " sterday at Is cents, but the
stock on Saturday as reduced to about
750 cases and il has very little bearing
on the genera market.
Beans are brlaer. The New York
market Is hr.ner. and buyers have been
looking thiS nai'ket over for lots to
ship ia THAI direction. It is also noted
that beans are beire shipped from Mich
igan west. nGieh ~ a very unusual
feature.
Under the fluctuations in wheat, as
well as the extremely winterish wealth
er. the demand for Hour has been very
slack of late. Buyers have been tab
ing their actual wants. which wants
have doubtless been somewhat reduc, /
by the fact of a duh grocery trade.
The report of a consolidation of the
great Touring interests OF the north
west. under a capitalization of $780,
positive sources that so far as the three
great Minneapolis milling concerns are
concerned, there IS no truth in the re-
port.
Mill shipment prices on -four are little
changed at from $40 to $3.50. Trade
committee prices: Spring wheat. clears.
s310Q3.75; patents. s410G475; winter
wheat, clears, S340Q 800. straiglts. S3G5
"a; patents. S4q4.4O
The meal and cereals market are quiet.
with little change.
Corn is steady The market was
weak, but of late the position has been
stronger, possibly entirely in sympathy
with wheat.
Oats have Shown more hrfances
within ii couple OF days, after declining
somewhat
The hay market is quiet. with prices
rather easy. except on best owing To a
full supply OF rather inferior quality
Straw is steady Millfeed is frmer
Hay, $sml4: fancy jobbing lots, S15C16.
rye straw, Sga16: oat straw, seas.
The pork market Is decidedly firmer
on fresh. owing TO the fact of hogs being
delayed by the cold Gather. Fresh ribs
are advanced 10 S12c, and spare ribs to
4Q5c. Lard is firm. Barrel pork and
hams are steady. Boston packers have
killed fewer hogs for the week. doubt
less owing 10 the delay in receipts from
cold weather. The total kill FOR the week
was about &c, 600 preceding week. 80 900
same week a year ago, 4b, 900. The ex-
port trade in Boston packed pork pro
visions continues good, the total value
for the week having been about 3233. 900.