The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-03-09

Poultry stock EasN--t'ood Lenten De
mand For Fish.
Boston. March S.-The butter market
maintains a steady tone on really fine
fresh arrivals, which are kept sold up,
but large portion of the receipts are
still more or less defective, and conces
sions have to be made to effect sales.
Fresh supplies have not increased as fast
as was expected. and for this reason
sellers can afford to be pretty stiff on
desirable stock. but the season Is get
ting late and an increased make is eX-
pected in all the dairy sections.
Buyers naturally look for an easier
market from this time forward. and any
tendency to increased strength will be
resisted, but tlsre is some talk of stiffen
ing up on the high grades because there
is a shortage of certain fancy makes.
What this will result In remains to be
seen, but nothing except an absolute
scarcity would warrant an advance al
this time of year. The western markets
are cent lower than last week.
Prices are somewhat irregular. Re
ceivers who have control of certain fancy
makes are disposed to hold out for an ex-
LLSLlS plitGS say VEINS e1ih cciiiN
buyers paid this for small lots to fill
special ORDERS but the general selling
rate for extra Vermont and New Hamp
shire fresh creamery is q cents, in as
sorted size tubs. If the quality is not
well up to extra lower rate has TO be
accepted and some pretty good lots are
sold at 201b cents. Boxes are in better
demand than last week. the finest quail
ity taken by buyers at % cents. Prints
sell at about .le same figure, the ac-
cumulations of the previous two weeks
having been worked off.
For most of the western creamery of
fered 81 cents is an extreme price, and
only certain wel-known brands bring
this figure. After passing the finest
quality prices take a wide range, say
from Is to 10 cents.
Increased strength has developed in
the cheese market under the influence Of
the small stocks and better demand.
Sales were made last week at IL to 112l
cents, but this week holders of fine Sep
TENDER and october northern will not
offer under T. cents, and some are ask
ing l2l2 cents for twins. The cheapest
summer stock on the market is now held
at TO- cents. and there is not much to
be got under IL cents The Liverpool
price has been advanced to 80 shillings
the first change in several weeks. Small
stocks are reported at all points, and still
higher prices are expected.
The egg market, Is fairly steady, with
a good demand at "a to 25 cents. Re
ceipts were 1857 cases, the largest since
the cold spell, but all were wanted and
readily cleaned up. A further decline
may be expected when supplies increase.
but the consumption Is increasing and
all receipts for some time to come will
find a ready sale. All the eggs now ar
irving are of first-rate quality, no mat
ter where they come from.
Beans are tirmer, and are selling at
decidedly stronger prices, a result of
the recent sales out of this market to
actually go west. Car load lots, pea and
medium, $1.35QL37h; yellow eyes. $l.55
0160; red kidneys, $1.S5@190 California,
small white. $1.9Oa2; Lima. sc per Id.
jobbing 10c more.
The flour market has been ruling quiet
for several days. There has not been
sufficient excitement in wheat to in
fuence the buying of flour, while the
general weather conditions of the coun-
II nave DNtil SUN dS " BiliS u iA'i
down to about normal basis. Flour
prices have shown very little change for
several days. Mill shipment prices on
spring wheat patents are at S4Gt4.50.
Trade committee prices are: Spring
wheat clears. $315@365; patents, S4Q
AIS; winter wheat clears, $540di.
straights. $3.G0N41G. patents, $390Q445.
Cornmeal is a little frmer than cary
In the week. Oatmeal and the cereals
have been considerably advanced in
prices within few days
Corn has been we'll sustained of late,
under a big cash demand in the west
with a decidedly better demand for en-
port Here the corn market is quiet and
about steady.
Oats have continued in quiet request
with the offerings rather small. and
hence the market has not inclined to
any considerable fluctuations. Buyers
desiring oats have taken their require
ments at current rates. but trade has
continued quiet.
Hay is reported scarce in very choice
grades, with the market firm. Ordinary
and low grade are rather poorly sus-
tanned. Straw has remained quiet and
about steady. Millfeed seems to be a
little easier: Hay, $SW14; fancy jobbnE
lots. $l5d17; rye straw. seas.
The pork and lard markets rule quiet
with little change. Prices are about
steady Boston packers have kept up
fair kill of hogs, the total for the v eek
amounting to about $4,000; preceding
week, 35,S00; same week a year ago
40, 600. There has been a fair move
ment of pork products into export, but
not what 1t would have been but for
the fact of the recently delayed ship
ments reaching the European markets
in the midst of Lent. a better export
demand is expected as soon as Lent is
over. For the week Boston packers ex.
ported pork provisions to about the
value of S2l6 900; preceding week. $205, 600
same week year ago, $l45,000
The beef market has been quiet nearly
all the week. and prices are easier at the
close. with prospects OF better trade.
The supply of beef being received In
this market continues below the average,
and this alone should Indicate a firmer
market. For the week the arrivals were
144 cars for Boston and SIS cars for eN-
port, a total of 229 cars; preceding week
1876 cars for Boston and 1876 cars for ex-
port, total of 271 cars; same week a
year ago. 1875 cars for Boston and 10
cars for export, a total of 245 cars.
The mutton market has ruled rather
dull, with a full supply and rather easy
prices Veals have also ruled easy
Lambs, 6p71ac Brighton fancy, 76sc
inuttons, 5ia06Ac; Brighton and fancy
rnuttons safe, vesls, 7Q9e; fancy Br!gh-