cannot fatten hogs more than to give a limited supply of lard. The returns 

 made to this department indicate that the demand for butter has been every- 

 where in excess of the supply; and it must, therefore, be obvious that lard will 

 reach the highest possible price compatible with but a limited consumption. 



This view is taken by those engaged in the provision trade. The New York 

 Price Current of November 14 says: "There has been an active movement in 

 new mess pork, mainly on speculation and for future delivery ; and with light 

 arrivals, prices have advanced 50 cents : other descriptions have also been in good 

 demand for consumption and export, at slightly improved prices." The Cin- 

 cinnati Price Current of the 11th says: " New mess pork is held at $17 50. 

 The belief is that hut few hogs will he jit to make mess fork, and hence the 

 speculative feeling in that article here and elsewhere." Hogs Avere then selling 

 at the latter city at $5 75 to $5 90, averaging under 200 lbs., and those avera- 

 ging 200 lbs. and upwards, at $6 to $6 25. The provision trade seems to be 

 active at Chicago and other points. 



The fattening cattle. — Our tables show in these four great fattening States 

 a like falling off in the number of fattening cattle. In Illinois — by far the 

 greatest cattle-fattening State in the Union on account of its immense corn 

 crop, a State that supplies the New York market with most of its spring beef — 

 the number of cattle is seven-tenths, or thirty per cent., less than last year. 

 The condition of the cattle is some better than that of the hogs, for the fall 

 pastures were good in many places, but cut short by drought in some parts. 

 In Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, it is eight-tenths, or twenty per cent. beloAv an 

 average condition, but in Illinois but ten per cent, below it. The scarcity of 

 good corn in these States must give unsatisfactory beef cattle, and the yield of 

 tallow will be short. 



The efforts of jnovisions, i^c. — domestic consumption. — The exports from 

 the animal production of the United States, including such manufsictures from 

 it as butter, cheese, candles, soap, leather, boots and shoes, are as follows : 



1856 $21,41.1,900 



1857 20,593,413 



16.58 19,946,411 



1859 17,602,413 



1860 24,666,798 



1861 27,715,392 



1862 42,288,916 



The amount of this exportation is pretty equally divided between the hogs 

 and cattle ; but of the sale of beef and pork, bacon, and lard, the amount is 

 largely in favor of the hogs. 



It is difficult to present the relative amounts consumed in the foreign and 

 home markets, for want of statistical information. But the following statement 

 of the estimated hog product for 1860, and the place of its sales, will present a 

 general idea of them : 

 The estimated amount of pork, in that year, which entered into 



the commerce of the country, was, in pounds 523, 358, 800 



Of which were exported as follows : 



Bacon, pounds 25, 844, 610 



Lard, pounds 40, 289, 519 



Pork, barrels, pounds 20, 231, 900 



Pork, tierces, pounds 542, 976 



86, 909, 005 



Leaving for domestic consumption 436, 449, 795 



Of this the southern States consumed 184, 386, 409. 



Consumed in the eastern, western, and middle States, pounds . . 2b'2, 063, 386 



