Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-01-15

Livestock Market Report for 1906.
The past year in the local livestock
markets has been very satisfactory, on
the whole. The volume of business
done has compared favorably with
previous years. The receipts of cattle
and of veal calves have established new
high records, while sheep and hogs,
though in greater volume than during
1905, have been considerably less than
during q number of previous years.
The increase of cattle has been almost
wholly from the west, the receipts from
New England showing small decrease.
The increased supply Of veal calves for
the year, amounting to over 1000, in
dicates that there has been no falling off
in the New England livestock industry,
as almost all the veal calves coming to
the Brighton and Watertown markets
are raised in New England.
Some increase is noted in the receipts
of sheep and lambs, but the bulk of the
arrivals comes from the west, with
Canada becoming more prominent as a
shipper of sheep and lambs. Receipts
from Maine and Vermont have been con-
siderably In excess Of the figures for
1905, and there is some hope that the
industry may recover its former pres.
tige in the states.
Hogs have been in good supply
throughout the year. Most of the ship
ments are made directly to the large
slaughter houses, but there has been a
good supply at the yards.
Prices of all kinds Of stock have ruled
quite high. For a time the agitation
against the packing houses had q bad
effect on the market for beef cattle, par
ticularly for the poorer grades, the can
ners and bolognas. While prices Of
these poor cows are still somewhat be-
low the prices quoted q year ago, the
effect of the agitation has nearly pass.
ed away. The choice grades of cattle
are little higher than they were year
ago, and the demand for these seems to
have been improved by the inspection
law now in effect.
Hogs are decidedly higher than they
were at the beginning of the year.
The demand for hogs has been excel
lent, and there have been few times dur
ing the year when prices showed any
weakness.
Sheep and lambs are quoted some
what lower, and veal calves show prac-
tically no change. During the most of
the year the market for sheep and lambs
at the yards was merely nominal,
owing to the small receipts. Prices are
regulated by the receipts at the large
slaughter houses.
I1L x~oIn hoo hnar. cnn6
Fancy mixers sell at better prices than
a year ago, but the range on ordinary
COWS is lower. The hot weather during
the summer increased the demand for
milk, and there was decided scarcity.
This resulted in a good demand for
heavy mixers, which has not yet
ceased.
The export cattle business was seri-
ously damaged by the packing house
agitation. Foreign countries which had
been seeking an excuse to shut out our
beef, or to reduce the shipments, we're
quick to take advantage Of this oppor-
tunity. Some improvement Is noted, as
the foreign trade has found that 1t must
have the cattle from the United States,
and that the quality is excellent. There
was of course no charge against live
cattle.
Business at the yards has been great
ly hampered by the continual delay OF
trains. Prompt arrivals have been the
exception for some time past. This has
been due chiefly to the great volume OF
traffic which the railroads are handling,
causing congestion of freight in many
sections.
DELAYED trains mean loss in weight
and quality of stock. frequently neces-
stating concession in prices. Shippers
who get their stock to the yards early
have an advantage.
The market for horses, throughout
the year, has, in general, been a pros
porous one. Quotations during the
year have held remarkably steady, even
through the d Ill season. The market
showed but slight falling off in prices,
and readily regained its former level, as
trade once more became active. At no
time has the supply been In excess OF
the demand, and during the spring and
early summer, dealers experienced diff
Guilty in securing enough of the right
kind of horses to satisfy an urgent de-
mand, this being especially true, in fill
ing the orders for fresh country horses
to send out to the lumber camps, also in
supplying heavy drafts. Good drafts
and large, strong horses for mercantile
purposes have been in constant demand
during the year, selling readily, at good
prices. Purchasers are looking more
for first class horses than in years past,
consequently small seconds are in small
demand and move slowly, at low figures,
have ruled high in home trade, as we'll
as east, but during the past month quo
tations east have declined five to ten per
cent. The spring and fall trade of driv-
ing and family horses was excellent.
Good quality horses, of this class, sell at
good prices the season through, no
in value being noted by the
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