640 



Provision Trade in October, [nov., 1908.] 



stocks of Canadian and States cheese at the end of the month in the three 

 principal distributing ports (London, Liverpool and Bristol) showed a decrease 

 of 5,000 boxes only as against the same time last year, whereas shipments 

 from Canada from ist May to 17th October to all ports show a decrease of 

 245,000 cheese against the corresponding period last y^ar. Advices from 

 Canada report that some of the factories in Eastern Ontario and Ottawa 

 Valley closed during the first week in October owing to the very small 

 quantity of milk they were receiving, there being so little grass. Others 

 which ran up to the 1 5th November last year, were closing, some on the 

 15th October, and the balance at the end of October. In some other 

 sections, factorymen turned, early in October, to butter making only. Mr. 

 J. A. Ruddick, Dairy Commissioner for the Canadian Department of Agri- 

 culture, reports, under date 14th October: — "The continued dry weather 

 has had a marked effect on the milk supply throughout the greater part of 

 Eastern Canada, and the result will be a considerable shortage in the 

 production of cheese." 



There has been a fair make of English cheese during October. Some 

 stopped early in the month, more especially in the west and south of 

 England, as the consumptive demand for milk continued good. It is 

 estimated that the make for the season will be about an average, but below 

 last year, when it was abnormal. It has been less in the west and south of 

 England, but that loss has been made up by an increased make in Cheshire. 

 Prices were about the same as last year for the corresponding period, except 

 for Cheshire, which was cheaper. 



Butter. — Dealers generally report a dull trade. The cotton strike in 

 Lancashire and widespread unemployment are said to be largely responsible 

 for the depression. The unseasonably mild weather has also affected the 

 consumption, especially of the lower grades. During the third week of the 

 month the first consignment of the new season's make of Australian arrived 

 and realized from 116s. to 122s. It totalled only 840 boxes of 56 lbs. each, 

 as there is always a good home demand for the earliest makes. The follow- 

 ing week a parcel arrived from New Zealand, probably partly winter make as 

 well as new season. Prices ranged from 120^. to 124.9. Cables from 

 Australia report splendid rains over a widespread area, and production 

 increasing rapidly. High prices are asked for the season's output, at which 

 English buyers demur, preferring to contract for near shipments only. 



The trade with Canada during the month has been small, prices being 

 above an export basis. What shipments there have been were mostly 

 summer-made lots, held in cold stores on the English buyer's account, to 

 be shipped out during October. It is anticipated that the Canadians will 

 require all the stock they now have in their country for their winter trade. 

 Shipments of butter from Canada from ist May to 17th October this year 

 show an increase of over 21,000 packages over the same period of 1907. 



The butter trade with the United States of America has been very small 

 during October, their prices being prohibitive. 



Eggs. — The month opened with a disappointing demand, and prices 

 favoured buyers. Later supplies were only moderate, and by the end of the 

 month there was a considerable shortage in the supply from the Continent, 

 causing prices to show a smart advance. Germany was reported to be 

 buying freely during the month. Prices for Canadian eggs keep above an 

 export basis. 



