1909.] The Provision Trade in March. 79 



gs. and under at the same time last year. The prospects for English 

 breeders are for high prices for some time to come. 



Cheese. — The month's trading has been disappointing, although 

 an improvement has been shown on the demand experienced during 

 the preceding month. The continued cold weather, more especially 

 during the early part of the month, has doubtless affected the con- 

 sumption, in addition to the high prices current, which have caused 

 dealers to act very cautiously in making their purchases. On account 

 of scarcity, coloured Canadians have realised 2s. to 45. per cwt. more 

 than white. Advices from Canada report that most of the stock held 

 there for British account has now been shipped, and a fair demand 

 from their home trade is clearing up all available lots. 



The Canadian exporters report an unsatisfactory season's trade, 

 from a profit standpoint; those who have paid expenses and come out 

 without loss on the year's business consider themselves fortunate. 

 The farmers have again had a prosperous time owing to a high range 

 of prices throughout the season. 



The estimated stocks of Canadian cheese at the three principal 

 distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and Bristol) at the end of the 

 month were 137,000 boxes, against 153,000 last year, and 205,000 two 

 years ago. 



The arrivals from New Zealand have been free, and from the 

 beginning of the season show an increase over last year of about 

 20 per cent. The present stock in London is about 16,000 New 

 Zealand cheeses more than twelve months ago. 



There has been a fair trade in English makes throughout the 

 month, with the stocks reported to be about the average. 



Butter. — D.ealers in this article have had to contend with dragging 

 markets all the month. During the first few days the forecast of 

 those best able to judge was for an increased demand, on account of 

 the low prices prevailing, making butter proportionately cheap in 

 comparison with all other dairy and hog products. Unfortunately for 

 the wholesale trade the improvement in the demand and consequent 

 rise in prices, which was looked for, has not taken place; in fact, 

 the reverse has happened, as on some markets purchases could be 

 made at the close of the month at from 45. to 65. per cwt. under the 

 prices asked a week or two previously. This, of course, means serious 

 losses to those who contracted early in the season for regular 

 deliveries. 



In Canada stocks of fancy creameries are in small compass, and 

 are all wanted for the home trade, but they hold more summer makes 

 than they require, and some parcels have been consigned, during the 

 past month, to English houses for sale; but they come to a bad 

 market, as best goods being obtainable at such low prices, the demand 

 is very limited for the earlier makes. 



Prices continue to rule very high in America, in fact, States butter 

 is still being shipped back, and better returns have been made, even 

 after paying the freight back to that country, than could have been 

 obtained here. 



Egg s - — The trade has been fairly satisfactory all the month. The 

 cold weather, especially on the Continent, has curtailed the production, 

 so that, with a steady demand and no accumulation of stock, prices 

 have been maintained on an even basis. 



