The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-18
BUTTER PRICES
SHOOT UPWARD
CREAMERY EXTRAS ADVANCE
$1.5O PER 6O-LB TUB.
Other Grades Also Follow Closely in
Proportion-Eggs Steady, but a De-
cline Possible-Lower Prices Needed
to Increase the Movement-Poultry
Comparatively Scarce.

1t was an off day in commission row this
week when butter did not show advance Of
greater or less proportions. The supply has
been under the call at all times, and receivers
have taken advantage of every opportunity to
crowd up asking prices and make good to the
shipper. Local buyers who are notorious for
going into house and loudly asking If they
had any fine butter have been noticed stepping
in and asking in meek way Have you any
butter this mornng?" Some buyers didn't even
ask to a fryer because their patrons wanted
butter and they couldn't afford to be over
particular That's why all grades show sym
pathetic advance with tops. Dealers bought
everything. Low grades commonly known as
packing stock are selling above summer prices
on extras and there does not seem to be
enough in sight at present prices But there IS
likely to be change in the situation as soon
US warmer weather increases the production and
1t behooves the country buyer and maker TO
keep their goods moving and let the other Tel
low father the loss when the slump comes, as II
certainly must sooner or later. Creamery extras
quotable at 41ac a year ago today ana
values are more than likely to resume their
normal level with a suddenness that will cause
some figures to be necessary on the other SIDE
Of the ledger.
The fact has been quite strongly proven that
oggs are not as necessary on the common table
as butter. Consumers place price limit on
eggs. and when it goes over that inquire the
-tobber and the retailer quickly feel the ralilne
off in the demand. This is why extremely cold
weather long drawn out has not affected eggs
1t has butter. To be sure, general conditions
have been backed up by comparatively higher
markets east but there seems to be Sene-
gambian in the woodpile somewhere there, as
they are not getting the amount Of goods that
ought naturally to be attracted that way, and
no one hereabouts considers it good business
Judgment to forward stock there expecting u
get the prices sent out. The local market was
quoted at 1Sc a year ago today on the pest
quality, and last winter was fully as severe as
this. Storage eggs were also cleaned up FULLY
well as now.
A fair outside jobbing call has been the case
this week for low-priced cheese, but other
wise the market has been on a quiet basis. NC
price changes have developed, and all lndlca
tions point to steady market until new-made
goods begin arriving more freely.
Poultry has been scarce, and storage supplies
have had to be drawn on quite heavily FresL
dressed stock has advanced sharply and quota
tons are up to a point where butchers not
catering to what Is called the best trade DO moi
carry stock, but buy when they have orders t.
FILL This has caused a small volume Of bust
ness, and will likely rule until values seek
more reasonable basis from the consumers poin
OF view. The advance has been on all lines Of
poultry and the week closes with the marke
virtually bare Of fresh dressed.
Veal has sold we'll, but the demand has no
been active enough to force up the market
Extra fancy calves will occasionally bring bet
ter than quotations from particular buyers. Nut
ton and lambs steady. Hogs are about TIT
most active line on the list, the price range
making them the popular meat Rabbits arr
steady. Moderate receipts are advisable should
the weather turn warmer Fish are coming NOR
freely and mostly frozen. Pickerel are lower
Outside Of a lower range on bananas and 5Ot
advance per barrel on some varieties of apples
the fruit market shows no change. The banana
trade ought to show a big increase. as they arr
staple thruout the northwest. The call fo
apples Is increasing. as many dealers find the1
stocks put away in the fall getting low. Severa
varieties IRE out of market and quotations haV
been withdrawn.
Old vegetables are on a quotably steady basi
and rule quiet. New, crisp green stock is Il
good supply considering the demand altho tn
market Is bare of green and wax beans. Tn
frost thruout the south did not do serious dam
age, and plenty be forwarded as soon a
wanted and shippers say at fairly reasonabl
prices.