Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-05-25
Trade Tame and Slow, How.
ever, Butcher Stuff Showing
Most Activity
HOG PRICES TAKE A TUMBLE
They Were Fully Fifteen Cents
Lower in Most Grades Than Sat-
urday's Close - Considerable .Activ-
ity Late, Which Brought No Ad.
vance =. Sheep Market Slow.

Chicago, May 25.-Cattle receipts
were comparatively light, and lacked
quality, altho prices were strong TO 10
cents higher. Trade was tame and
slow. Butcher stuff showed the most
activity.
It is evidently the intention of kill
ers to hold the market for the medium
and plain grades down now that they
have smashed prices largely 50@65c
from high time two weeks ago and are
getting some yearlings 75@S5c lower.
They have long claimed that these
classes were selling relatively too close
to the top grade and the arrival of
liberal supplies of Texas cattle and
close proximity Of the native grass fed
marketing season would seem likely to
keep the market for these down to
present levels if not forcing a still low
err range.
The spread in prices has Widened
considerably and promises to continue
wide for the next few weeks. Further
declines for the medium and plain
classes will prove no surprise to the
trade but there is strong belief in the
stability of future demand.
Hogs.
Hog receipts were far beyond the
highest expectations, and consequently
prices tumbled and were Fully Is cents
below Saturdays close in most grades.
There was considerable activity dis
played late in the day, but this brought
about little or no advance in values.
Supply has been light because corn
planting has been in full swing, but IN
many sections this work is practically
done and an expanded hog movement
is logical.
Nothing looks bullish about the
summer hog market to me-" said
Charles Cooper, chief buyer for the
National Packing Company. 'The hogs
we have been getting In such profusion
lately do not mean premature market
ing of the accumulation of the corn
planting period, but the belated ar
rival of stuff that would have showed
up in April but for the cultivation of
the &c idea in the country Now that
this has proved false stock is being
cashed Despite the light April run,
March and April receipts at Chicago
were $4,000 in excess of last year, the
May supply will De close to that OF
1907, and if we do not get nearly $780,
900 hogs In June am no guesser. AS
a matter of fact, hogs are not scarce
in the country and next fall, after we
have received as many in the west as
came last summer, nobody will attempt
to take the affirmative side Of that
proposition"
Sheep.
Sheep were slow, with but little
change in prices.
If shippers exercise caution early this
week the market will have chance to
get out Of the rut. Unequal dlstribu-
ton is the complaint that needs cur
ing. Liquidation has been on free
scale everywhere while Texas has been
crowding grass sheep onto the market.
Owners have taken the worst punish
ment of the season, if not in trade
history. The bargain counter has been
heaped high. Something of the same
kind will doubtless happen this week
unless some caution is exercised. The
same run as last week evenly dis
tributed will probably demonstrate that
bottom has been reached.