1046 The Provision Trade in February, [mar., 19 10. 



be still further curtailed, our home-cured and Danish bacon being 

 proportionately cheaper. 



Arrivals of Canadian bacon show further decreases, the packers 

 having reduced their killings on account of the losses made by their 

 agents in England in selling on our markets. 



The scarcity of pigs in England continues to harass curers, and 

 high prices are being paid. In some districts conferences between 

 merchants and farmers are being arranged with a view to stimulate 

 the breeding of pigs in this country, and so relieving the situation. 



Butter. — As anticipated in the January review, the high prices 

 have not been maintained, and by the third week of February the 

 drop from top prices was 75. to 8s. per cwt. By the end of the month, 

 however, prices had again advanced several shillings. The advances 

 have each time checked the demand, and in the opinion of most 

 operators the market will not be sustained at these extreme values. 



Secondary butter continues scarce, and in consequence there is a 

 largely increased demand for margarine. Cable advices from both 

 Australia and New Zealand report favourable weather conditions, so 

 the large make continues. Advices from Canada report much firmer 

 markets, with some orders from Vancouver on the Montreal market, 

 brought about by the advance in England having diverted some ship- 

 ments from Australia and New Zealand intended for that market ; also 

 some dairy butter has been shipped over here at around 95s. c.i.f., 

 which was originally intended for home consumption. 



Prices remain abnormally high in America, fancy fresh realising 

 equal to 1535. c.i.f. per cwt., and stored lots sell at around 1465. c.i.f. 

 These prices are a little easier than those current in January. 



Cheese. — The demand has been disappointingly quiet throughout 

 the month, and prices show little change. The shipments and arrivals 

 from New Zealand continue large — in fact, about 50 per cent, in excess 

 of last year — which has doubtless prevented the advance desired for 

 Canadian makes, in order to enable importers to dispose of their 

 holdings at a profit. 



The shipments from Canada during the month have been in excess 

 of last year, and from May 1st, 1909, to February 17th, 1910, the 

 figures are 2,056,680 cheese, against 1,994,845 for the previous corre- 

 sponding period, or an increase of 61,835 cheese. Stocks on hand in 

 Canada are reported to be much below the average, and best lots 

 are held for 625.-635. In America prices remain about unchanged— say 

 about 835. per cwt. as top. 



At the end of the month the estimated stocks of Canadian cheese 

 at the three principal distributing centres (London, Liverpool, and 

 Bristol) were 221,000 boxes, against 194,000 boxes last year, and 

 185,000 boxes two years ago. 



There has been, a steady trade in English cheese, stocks on hand 

 being about the average for the time of year. The demand has been 

 mostly for fancy goods and the lower grades, the latter being wanted 

 through the few summer-made Canadians available. 



Eggs. — On account of the mild weather throughout the month, 

 prices have on the whole favoured buyers. New laid have been 

 marketed more freely, and prices have eased. The marKet in Canada 

 continues very firm, new laid bringing 33 cents easily. 



