Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-02-21
MARKET SHOWS A RALLY ON
CLOSING DAY OF WEEK, RE-
cEIPTs BEING LIGHT.
CATTLE MARKETS LITTLE
MORE THAN NOMINAL
Approach Of Lenten Season Tending to
Restrict Arrivals--Prices on Better
Basis Than at Weeks Beginning
Most Of Sheep and Lamb Offerings
Consigned Directly to Packers.

Chicago, Feb. 21.-Hog prices showed
rally today. Arrivals We're moderate.
The price range continues very mar
row for the great bulk Of the offerings,
only rough and undesirable stuff, most
ly in small lots, going below $3.50,
while 1855 was practical top late.
While Chicago's receipts this week
decreased materially, shipments were
few hundred larger than a week ago
and 1000 larger than a year ago.
Eleven markets received $4,000 hogs.
or 1900 less than last Friday, 1900
more than a year ago and 5000 more
than two years ago. Total thus far
this week $4,000, or $1,000 less than
same period last week, $4,000 less than
like time last year and $4,000 less than
corresponding five days two years ago.
Total for 1914 to date 3.97S.O00. or 49,
600 less than same period 1913 and
$4,000 less than corresponding time
1912.
Cattle.
There was hardly more than a
nominal market for cattle.
Opening of the Lenten season next
"Wednesday may have some influence in
restraining beef demand, but Lenten
abstinence from meat diet has not seri-
ously hurt the trade in recent years.
and this year, with a known shortage
of fat beeves over the country. it is al
most certain that no serious deprecia
of VII ha chn fn,, r, a
choice to prime steers. New top for
the year the past week, $3.50 for 1.461
to 1855 pound beeves, stood highest en-
record for February, against 1925 for
February top in 1913 and 50 in 1912
while the trade is looking ahead to still
higher top prices within the next few
weeks. A very sharp appreciation in
tops, however, will necessitate higher
cost of best cuts of beef, and consum
ers' willingness to pay advances will
necessarily be given a strong test if the
market for prime goods shows much
further rise.
Eastward a lot of cattle are in the
making. many of them Canadians,
which were put in early last fall, and
a good share of them We're 900 to 1000
pound grades when put on feed. Ideal
experienced all winter, and lot of this
eastern fed stuff is already running into
the markets, while the arrival of grow
ing numbers OF Argentine. chilled and
frozen beef quarters at seaboard is, OF
course, a factor to be reckoned with as
certain to have at least sentimental
influence in holding in restraint any
strong bullish action in the lower quail
ity native steers.
Weight has had lot OF preference
from both the killers and shippers this
week. but heavy beeves to command
choice quality. Still there has been a
much better general outlet for all de-
cent to good steers since the mid week
session, altho the start Of that trade
showed downward price tendencies. IL
was bluff on killers part. however.
and local buyers have declared since
purchases cost them 10m15 cents more
money than Monday.
The trade naturally locks for fair
~ generous run here at the start next
week, as result of the newly developed
strength in the market, and some esti-
mates Friday were placed as high as
ditions over liberal share Of the
middle west. enabling strong weight
gains in feed yards, should have influ-
ence in checking any further heavy
liquidation Of short-fed steers. Corn
working cheaper in cost should also
prove another incentive for finishing
steers, part cularly as long as the mar
ket is showing some genuine endeavor
n ;y,
weeks.
Sheep.
Most Of the sheep and lambs wen,
direct to packers.
After ope ming the week under the
handicap of an unexpectedly and un-
warrantedly heavy Monday run under
which lamb values slumped Is to %
cents and sheep weakened slightly, the
market has since given a good account
Of Itself. working strong to higher on
every subsequent session. Best lambs
close steady to strong with best time
early last Friday. full dime higher than
the close that day while intermediate
grades are 10 to Is cents higher than
week ago and feeders stronger. Sheep
and yearlngs are Is to % cents high
er tina n the close last week and doing a
price performance predicted in these
columns weeks ago. The spread be-
tween handy yearlings and lambs is
much more narrow than common and
aged muttoEs are selling closer to
lambs than at any time in recent years
Scarcity Of prime heavy aged ewes has
put them practically on a price parity
with choice aged wethers and all eve
stock is selling, relatively, better than
wethers, tho the latter are not numer-
Gus