1909.] The Provision Trade in April. 167 



$6*50 to $7'6o, against $5'io to $6*05 for the corresponding month last 

 year* 



The demand for English and Irish bacon has been good at remunera- 

 tive prices. Pigs were in moderate supply only, at hardening prices. 



Cheese. — The consumptive demand has improved during the month, 

 but has not come up to expectations, the prices obtainable being prac- 

 tically unchanged throughout. Arrivals from New Zealand have con- 

 tinued to be in excess of previous years, but, on account of the quality, 

 Canadians have been taken in preference at the higher prices demanded. 

 Coloured, on account of its continued scarcity, commands a better price 

 than white. 



Canada is now cleared of almost all last season's make. A recent 

 issue of the Montreal Trade Bulletin states that production in 

 Canada has decreased considerably during the past two years, the exports 

 for the current season up to April 8th being 2,055,817 boxes, as com- 

 pared with 2,294,866 boxes and 2,556,514 boxes for the corresponding 

 periods in 1908 and 1907. There has been, therefore, a total shrinkage 

 of 500,697 boxes in two years. " Some doubts are expressed as to 

 whether the production of the coming season will not show a further 

 decrease, as we hear of complaints in some districts of farmers being 

 compelled to sell their cows for slaughtering purposes last fall, owing 

 to the high price of feed. It is generally admitted, however, that the 

 cows wintered well, and are showing up this spring in much better 

 condition than at this time last year." 



The estimated stocks of Canadian cheese at the three principal dis- 

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

 month were 95,000 cheese, against 134,000 at the same time last year, 

 and 128,000 two years ago. This reduction in stocks should lead to an 

 advance in prices, but large shipments are on passage from New Zealand, 

 which will have a steadying influence. 



There has been a fair trade in English cheese at, in some cases, 

 slightly higher prices, the stocks being about the average for the time 

 of year. A few new fodder makes have been on offer. 



Butter. — All dealers in this article have experienced another trying 

 month's trade, and, although prices show further small reductions, buyers 

 refuse to operate beyond their immediate requirements, and then only 

 for the finest selections. There are also numerous complaints as to the 

 quality of the recent arrivals from both Australia and New Zealand, 

 attributed in the former case to the dry weather, and in the latter to 

 the luxuriant rank grass eaten by the cattle. 



London merchants are reported to have lost heavily on all their 

 contracts this season with the Colonial factorymen, the butter realising 

 for months past many shillings per hundredweight below the minimum 

 prices guaranteed. 



Stocks have been considerably reduced in Canada, the lower prices 

 having increased the home consumption. During the month butter has 

 been selling in Montreal and Toronto at equivalent to yd. to Sd. per lb. 

 less than at the same time last year, when famine prices were reached 

 on account of the scarcity. 



Egg s - — The Easter demand was up to the average, and trade has 

 been fair throughout the month. Prices are lower on the month, and 

 some pickling is in progress. 



