Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-03-23
FAVORABLE MARKET
FOR HOG Sellers
DEMAND FAIRLY ACTIVE AND
PRICES STEADY AS WEEKS
TRADING OPENS.
STRENGTH DEVELOPS
IN CATTLE DIVISION
Spread in Prices Between Primes and
Mediums Expected to Narrow
Choice Sheep and Lambs Not Num-
erous Among Days offerinss-Re.
vie" ef Market Conditions,

Chicago. March 23-Demand for hogs
today was fairly active and prices
steady.
Last weeks receipts at 136.500 about
reached expectations and while 1850
larger than previous week, il will be
remembered the combined total for tie
first two weeks of this month were the
TWO smallest succeeding weeks since
last July, which is not saying much for
this weeks total.
total Of i42, 900 hogs at the eleven
markets last week stood Sc, 5000 larger
than previous week, which was small
est combined total since last Septem-
Der. This weeks total. however, was
$1,000 larger than year ago. when
the total was smallest for the first if
teen weeks of 1913. The eleven mar
kets the past week received $4,000
NOR than the seven-year average for
the corresponding week since 1907.
For 1914 to date eleven markets re-
ceived 5,1S2 600 being smallest since
1911, comparing with same period in
previous years. Figures for 1914 thus
far stand 1880 smaller than a year
ago, lao. 900 smaller than q year aSo
and $4,000 smaller than the average
total for the same period since 1907.
The weeks estimated average
wight OF hogs at a36 pounds increased
pounds over previous week and nine
pounds over first week of this month.
there being steady increase since
second week of February when the
average was 221 pounds.
The average weight last week was
thirty-one pounds heavier than the
second week OF last November. being
within two pounds OF corresponding
week a year ago when 1t was 23S
pounds. and nineteen pounds heavier
than corresponding week OF 1912. but
It is foregone conclusion that the
weight will continue TO increase for
some weeks to come.
Cattle.
Strength developed in the cattle
market
Beef consumption IS short all over
the country. due to high retail costs
and the Industrial depression, while the
increasing imports of Argentine beef
quarters have acted as strong bear
ish factor in the trade for medium and
common grade corn belt steers. The
past week there were loaded at Buenos
Ayres atotal Of $50. Gao quarters OF beef
which will land in the New York mar
ket three weeks hence, this being the
heaviest weeks output TO date from
the South Am erican houses. and makes
a total of $4,000 quarters loaded from
Argentina direct to the United States
since Jan. /. exclusive of chilled and
frozen stuff which was reshipped from
Liverpool.
Argentine product has been scattered
pretty much over the eastern territory
of late because OF the deworalized beef
trade in New York. though reaction
in demand in that quarter would mean
less Of il for the interior points and a
broader outlet for Chicago beef. Penn
svlvania districts have taken little beef
from here for some weeks past. due TO
marketing OF liberal quota Of the
hcn,e-fed stuff, and this slump in ship
ping demand was, Of course, a factor
in breaking prices locally.
That the trade can mend little fur
Their on the good 70 choice beeves is
general belief. but there is strong prob
ability Of widening price spread pre-
vailing if Argentine competition con-
tinues 10 grow as 1t has in recent
weeks. The South American beef is
competing only against cattle OF class
such as sell now below $3.50 and at
that the imported product IS minus the
good taste Of the home grown beef
Sheep.
Choice sheep and lambs were not
numerous.
Adv;ces from Colorado are 10 the
effect that loading for this weeks mar
ket has not been heavier than that for
the week just closed. and tho feed sta :
lions around Chicago. where shearing
operations have been going on merrllE'
still held a considerable hummer
enough of il is not now ready TO
come. il is believed, to ward off the
probability Of run OF price smashing
nroporticns. Dressed mutton trade
might be a lot better. but II ought 70
improve after this weeks hshter
slaughter.