798 The Provision Trade in December, [jan., 1909. 



in the buyers' favour. The prices realised for imported lots were very 

 unsatisfactory to merchants, resulting either in a loss or only just 

 covering the cost. English farmers continued to make cheese during the 

 mild open weather of the first three weeks of the month. In the West 

 of England a large number of Caerphillies have been on offer, but the 

 quality has been more or less irregular, and the prices show a wide 

 range, some of medium quality at Highbridge market being sold as low 

 as 305. to 35s. per cwt. 



Very little business has been done in Canadian cheese, the holders in 

 Canada preferring to keep their stocks for better prices, which, in their 

 opinion, will be realised early in the New Year. Arrivals from New 

 Zealand have been moderate, but there are some large shipments now 

 on passage. The shipments from Montreal for the season of navigation 

 in 1908 were 1,785,696 cheese, against 1,973,417 in the previous season. 

 Stocks of Canadian at the end of the month, at the three principal 

 distributing centres (London, Bristol, and Liverpool), amounted to 

 368,000 cheese, against 350,000 at the same time last year, and 459,000 

 two years ago. 



Butter. — The prevalence of mild weather during most of the month, 

 with large imports and a larger home make than usual for the time 

 of year, caused buyers to operate very sparingly, and prices generally 

 were in their favour. The colder weather at the end of the month, with 

 consequently improved demand, caused prices to harden, and some 

 merchants now look for a steady improvement in prices. Some large 

 shipments are now on passage from New Zealand and Australia, but 

 the quantities are not excessive for the time of year. The shipments 

 from Canada and the United States for the month were almost nil, as 

 their home prices are above a competition basis. Shipments for the 

 season of navigation from Montreal for 1908 were 93,416 packages, 

 against 66,773 for the season 1907. 



Eggs. — There has been a fair trade throughout the month, and at 

 no time has there been any accumulation of imported parcels, so that 

 all lots have been cleared in a fresh condition. After the Christmas 

 demand was filled, prices eased somewhat, but the trade generally has 

 been healthy. The mild weather caused a fair supply of English to be 

 on offer for the time of year. 



