Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-04

! Chicago. Feb. 4.-Comparative scar
city of arrivals brought about an ad-
vance today in the hog market.
For the present the crest of the
boom in hog values has been reached.
Tho market acts top-heavy. A dollar
advance in January in the face of rec
ord receipts was wholly unexpected.
Cattle values have declined mean
while. and the two markets are now on
a parity. That hogs are no longer
cheap is indicated by curtailment of
slauShtering by small local concerns
which have been credited with selling
the residue to packers.
Shipping demand has subsidized. and
the market may be expected to mark
time for a while, altho materially
higher prices are eventually considered
certain. Cattle trade Is no longer
hampered by cheap pork and is looking
up. Steers are being crowded on the
market as corn advances, however and
few are going into feed lots, indicat-
ing supply paucity during the tween
had-andgrass period.
Cattle.
Mos. OF the cattle offerings lacked
finish
Light receipts all around the market
circle and the stimulating influence Of
cold weather have been tonic infu-
ences this week. There were 10000 at
six points today. a ssasonable run. and
5000 more than reported a week ago.
The four day run this week at the
six western points is approximately
10000 against $4,000 last week and
$4,000 year ago. The four day local
supply is only about $1,000, against
$4,000 last week and 1000 year ago,
when the market was on a semi-fam-
inc basis. Curtailment of supply has
had healthy influence. disclosing the
fundamental strength OF the market
and demonstrating that killers are on
a hand-to- mouth basis.
Heavy cattle were slow, but there
was a demand for light stuff. espe-
ciai!y on the yearlins order. Cattle un-
der the IS line, which apparently did
not get the full strength OF the market
earlier in the week were wanted. Had
the entire supply been available early
the market might have had better ac-
rior.
The advance since last weeks low
spot has been irregular and uneven,
but is anywhere from % to 40 cents
per cwt. higher than the February top
last year
All the country needs to do evidently
is 10 repress it's impulse to order cars
on bulges as was done last month fol-
lowing the advance OF 75c1$l per cwt.
early in the year. Feeders, as a rule
are not disposed TO put on weight and
there Is a general feeling that cattle
sold at profit are we'll sold. The feed
situation and prospect is not reassur-
Ing. That Washington was badly at
sea on Its corn crop guesses is evident
and cost OF corn, IL steadily crawling
up. owing to reduction Of the Argentine
exportaole surplus. Not long ago corr.
traders were concerned over the pros
pect Of an export demand. but the fact
has developed that the united States
Will need every bushel OF commercial
corn available for domestic use. Corn
bought for May delivery at so cents
last fall was sold out yesterday above
50 cents and everybody realizes that
the price is going higher.
Sheep.
Buying held off as much as possible
from sheep and lambs.
The spread in prices between the
plain and best offerings was the wild
est OF the season. and country owners
would do we'll to remember that buy
ers have only small outlet for offer
ings below choice grade, while few
buyers want the plain stuff at any
price. In these days of high prices it
vii! pay owners to finish their holdings
before marketing them, as the premium
for best lots is substantial enough to
pay for the extra feed and trouble
which it takes to get them in that