Evening times-Republican., 1914-02-18

Chicago, Feb. 1S.-The supply OF hogs
was lighter today and values advanced.
Chicago received $500 more hogs
Tuesday than year ago. while the
five leading outside western markets
had 5000. Eleven markets received
total or $1,000, or 1000 less than a
week ago. and 5000 less than yea:
ago. Arrivals in the east were small
er than a week ago, Buffalo and Fits
burgh getting combined total of only
5000.
The first two days of this week the
eleven points had 10000 less than
week ago and 1900 less than a year
ago.
Total for 1914 to date. all 900, or
l31 900 less than same period 1913 and
$4,000 less than corresponding time
1912.
Cattle.
Weather conditions hindered the
trade in cattle.
Price tendency under existing con-
ditions is to widen. The trade is get
ting relatively few choice finished
heavy and handy-w weight steers, and de-
mand for them shows force enough 10
hold prices up to best levels for weeks
past. Still. the crop above $500 now
is smallest in a long time past. and
there was particularly a scant quota
of sales above that price on Monday.
while a larger supply sold below $500
than on any market in months past.
A big proportion Of the sixtyday
fed stuff had to go on Monday below
$500, and killers got a lot Of fairly de-
cent warmed-up light steers down 10
$3.50 and lower. They bought at ss.25
pretty good killer kind. which had
been fed a considerable crop of corn.
No small number Of 1880 TO 1850
pound steers sold around $500 and
lower. tho 1t was chiefly the lighter
weights which went below the $500
line, and killers contend tina. these
short carcass makers are still elativeiy
high. as figured against the good
dressing steers they are buying around
ss.503s75.
Cold weather has caused some little
rejuvenation OF beef demand. as indi-
Gated by little uplift in wholesale
prices for some cuts in the local trade.
but the Lenten season will open in an
other week and killers are not hopeful
Of continued strength in beef trade.
Lent is factor to be reckoned with. Of
course, in figuring probable demand
for beef, and especially this year.
when the eastern markets are getting
chilled and frozen quarters from Ar
gentina. While 1t is a fact that no
great amount OF the South American
beef has been unloaded at seaboard,
and the shipments in the last two
weeks equaled only 800 head, that
crop, Of course took the place Of like
amount OF beef from local quarters
which otherwise would have found de-
mand there. Western markets are get
ting no very generous runs. tho Kan
sas City arrivals are showing some
better quality than recently particular
ly those from Kansas feed yards. and
the southwestern fed stuff, which will
begin moving earlier this year than
last, must be reckoned upon as fac
tor likely 10 affect demand for the
middle quality steers in the local trade
AT Chicago the two days' run this
week stood 2s,60o, against 2460s
week ago 27.Sss a year ago, while six
markets have had 81 900 for two days,
against $1,000 a week ago and $4,000
year ago.
Cheaper corn in many sections is
failing to induce feeders to hold the
middle and lower quality steers, but
cashing them on downgoing market
which shows around 50-cent decline
from high point month ago on a big
portion Of the common and medium
TO pretty good steers, is not considered
good logic now, since any material
strengthening Of beef demand, which
ought TO come with continuance of colo
weather, would call for a rebound of
values.
Sheep.
Sheep and lambs were more numer-
Gus than expected.
The trade is for the most part ex-
pectant of a somewhat better acting
lamb market the remainder of the
week. as supply now available from
nearby feed stations is light and the
Monday decline is expected to dis
courage at interior points.