The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17
WEAKNESS RULES
ON BUTTER LIST
PRICES BEING SHADED ON TOP
AND MEDIUM GRADES.
Strong Prices Looked For on Turkeys,
Ducks and Geese-Eggs Weak on
Anything Not Grading Strictly Fresh
Oranges Show Further Declines in
Price-Lemons Rule Lower.

While quotations stifi continue an un-
changed basis, the entire butter list, with the
single exception of packing stocks, shows more
less weakness. AS matter of fact, the de-
mand for butter has been unusually slow during
the week, and stocks show an accumulation,
altho not of serious proportions as yet. The
great bulk Of buyers have pursued a very con-
servative policy the past ten days, and local
stocks of fresh goods have not been kept at
low basis as Is usually the case. Some re-
ceivers have considered it the better policy TO
shade asking prices half cent in order to sell
and keep from under surplus. Storage goods
have cut an important figure In the butter
movement. so long as June dairies OF the bet
ter grades can be picked up Mt ID cents. fresh
makes bound to suffer, and the market can
not get back to normal tone until these lines
out of the way. Most Of the storage goods
offered from out-of-town points. local hold
ings cleaning up outside Of few lines thirty
days ago. Packing stock buyers still buying
freely, and are keeping the market cleaned up on
this grade of goods. Rolls and prints are arriV-
ing In generous quantities. but are mostly IN pad
shape, showing poor handling before shipping
and will not bring top prices.
New laid eggs very scarce commodity,
and show a healthy advance for the week The
fresh held article Is largely in evidence and not
being in favor with the trade is weak and
lower in price. Current receipts are frequently
running so poor to show loss of eight to ten
dozen rots to the case, and it usually takes from
three to ten to make up one case or
reilly sweet, full, merchantable eggs. Storage
stock Is preferred by a vast majority or re-
would be cleaned up nicely before the new year
comes In.
Cheese is firm, but unchanged in price, The
demand is active on small lot orders, but job
bling movement Is unimportant. The supply or
well-cured brick goods is heavier, but values are
we'll sustained.
The outlook for poultry for the holiday trade
Is still unsettled Receipts so far this week
have been under the call, and slightly better
figure than quotations has been secured at times
selections. But average arrivals do not
grade fancy. and after fancy bird or two has
been selected from a barrel the balance sag
back to the choice grade, and Will not bring
above Ia to 10 cents From dislnterested point
of view 1t looks as tho the early arrivals would
bring best prices, the case year ago.
Stock coming in after the demand Is over runs
long chances Of meeting with slow sale and
slumping prices. The New Years Day call is
never large enough to cut any important Inquire
IN cleaning up late arrivals on Christmas Day.
Chickens coming In very freely, and the de-
mand 10 not large enough to hold stocks down to
reasonable limits. Prices are therefore likely
to ease of still further. Ducks and geese are
good sellers and will bring stronger prices
should the supply Of turkeys prove Inadequate
Live stock is not wanted, except by a very
small proportion Of buyers and dressed stock
should be shipped exclusively, If possible, tc
bring best results.
No auotable change has developed on dressed
meats Trade has been just fair, and receipts
not excessive, allowing dealers to maintain
steady range Of prices. The call has been IL
excess OF arrivals on rabbits. and values show
coming in, selling at Toe per dozen. p.
Supply Is liberal on both green and yellow dried
peas, and values have been forced down on tor
grades
Potatoes, onions and cabbage show no price
changes. Trade Is quiet on large lots, and NJ
immediate improvement is looked for In thu
situation. Green vegetables firm, and goot
supply Is promised for the holiday trade.
A decline all oranges except seedlings Il
reported. Supplies liberal on all sizes AM
there Is certainly no EXCUSE for dealers not har
ing a good showing Of this fruit this year, tn
price Is very low. Lemons are also lower o.
both fancy and choice. Trade In apples is fair
but not what it should be for the week befor
Christmas. The supply is generous. quality fine
and prices very reasonable Some few yarietie
are about out of market.
The banana market has settled back to nor
NAL conditions. 1t Is reported that asking price
at receiving points 1Oc per 100 higher, S
that no cheap bananas seem to be in sight Their
are fair offerings Of Malaga grapes, but Cataw
has about over with. Pineapples are fine
but values are fairly high. owing to express
charges. Cranberries are a shade lower on som
varieties. The demand has not been activ
enough to develop the advance expected. Swee
potatoes are firm, with moderate offerings. Net
York pears about cleaned up, the balanc
remaining bringing SIS for fancy stock.