Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-05

hogs in the near future.
The demand for mileh cows has been
better during the past year, especially
for the best quality. Milk raisers have
shown a disposition to improve the
quality of their herds, thereby OBJ
tanning an equal quantity of milk from
a smaller number of cows. This has
been due in part to the high cost of
feed, and in part to the difficultys of
obtaining sufficient help. The item of
labor is much reduced through re-
duction in the number of cows, and
this is an important factor. Ordinary
COWS have been dull, with no change
in prices. the market ranging from
about $40 to $65. Good heavy mixers
have sold from $50 to $50, and choice
cows from $50 to s125, with extra
choice up to $3.50, and higher. Sup
plies have been ample, and at times
heavy, but a large majority of the
cows were of only fair grade. The
relation between the milk raisers and
the distributors have been better dur
ing the past year.
The Horse Market.
During the year 1918 there has been
steady volume of business in the
trading of horses, and prices have
ruled firm throughout the year, with
only slight, natural decline during the
dun season. Despite the predictions
that horses would not be in much de-
mand for commercial purposes now
that automobiles are in such universal
use for all kinds of ,teaming, the re-
ceipts of horses received and sold
about Boston have been far heavier
than during 1912. Although the de-
mand has been excellent, and sales
have been made at higher values, the
profits to the dealers have not al
ways been to their satisfaction, as
good horses of heavy weight are not
obtained as easily as formerly, and are
also only to be bought at higher pro-
portionate values. This is chiefly due
to the fact that throughout the rapidly
growing western farming districts,
whence come most of our supplies,
there has been a large and steadily
increasing demand for big horses, and
this has not only made it harder for
Eastern dealers to procure their horses,
but has made very decided advance
in the expense of placing fresh coun-
try horses on the market.
The trade of the year has been
largely in commercial horses the ur-
geney of the demand calling for horses
of 1400 to 1000 lbs. weight. The best
of these. the heavy draft horses, 1850
to 1900 lbs are considered the quickest
sellers on the market, and retail at
$3.50 to $500 each. Horses of the
best quality, but of lighter weight,
ranging from 1850 to 1850 lbs, are in
more plentiful supply. and sell from
$3.50 to $3.50; with some specially
choice horses within these weights
bringing somewhat higher figures.
Heavy wagon horses suitable for city
express and delivery teams are al
ways in continuous demand and sell
from $1I5 to $275. Farm chunks have
sold in larger amounts during the past
Year than ever before, and a great
many of them have been shipped to
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
The trade this year from the lumber
camps has been small as the weather
has not, as yet, made the hauling out
or logs possible, but what horses did
find an outlet in this way sold at high
figures: stout horses, of good weight
being required.
There has been a very large amount
of second hand horses changing hands
through the year, and some extra
good horses in good condition from
short service have been on the mar
ket and where quality, condition and
weight We're right, high values were
h y
ceived for fresh horses, as they had the
advantage of being we'll acclimated.
Although the effect on the trade of
commercial horses from the widely
developed use of business autos. for
farming trucks, express, and all other
kinds of teaming, has apparently been
slight, it has affected the trade in
harness classes to considerable ex-
tent, Sales have fallen off greatly for
the d-time family driver, for coach
horses and their type, but with the loss
of this trade, the sales of fancy road
sters, trotters. and speed horses, as
we'll as saddle horses, are numerous.
and we'll advertised sale of such
horses is sure to bring out a goodly
number of interested horse lovers.
On the whole the years business has
been prosperous, and the outlook Is
hopeful and encouraging, as the day
of the automobile is surely at its
height and they will not be likely to
eneroach farther against the horse
trade, which SO far has not by any
means been crowded to the wall.
Summary with Tables.
THE following ahles are a cum. -, :. ~. 81