1 66 The Provision Trade in April, [may, 1910. 



English pigs are also cheaper. Curers could not make any headway 

 with their sales, and were forced to reduce prices to enable them to 

 come more into line with the market value of Danish and other 

 Continental goods. 



Cheese. — At the beginning of the month holders were very firm at 

 the advance in prices secured at the end of March, but the consumptive 

 demand continued very slow, and with the continued heavy arrivals of 

 New Zealand, merchants showed some anxiety to keep their stocks 

 moving, resulting in spot prices being is.-2S. per cwt. lower by ibe 

 end of the month. 



Canadian shippers offered new fodder makes over the cable at less 

 money, and by the end of the month, purchases could be made at 

 57s. c.i.f., but with first Government grade New Zealands being offered 

 on spot at around 595.-605., importers were not inclined to pay the 

 price demanded for fodder makes. The final shipments from New 

 Zealand now on the way are much in excess of last year. 



Advices from Canada report an early spring, with prospects of 

 plenty of grass, but on account of the large quantities of fresh cream 

 still being sent into the United States under the reduced tariff, it is 

 not anticipated that the early make of butter or cheese will be large. 

 Stocks of old cheese in Canada are now practically cleared, except 

 what may be required for home consumption. 



In the United States prices of fancy old makes remain unaltered, 

 say around 825., but fodder makes could be bought at around 625.-645. 

 The demand was poor. 



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

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

 Bristol) were 116,000 boxes, against 95,000 last year, and 134,000 two 

 years ago. 



There has been a fair demand for English cheese, and prices remained 

 steady, as, on account of the cold winds and especially cold nights, 

 there will be less early English and Scotch cheese manufactured. 



Butter. — Throughout the entire month the demand has been very 

 slow, the continued large weekly arrivals from Australia and New 

 Zealand being very much against the current high prices. 



Values were steady at the commencement of the month, but a slump 

 set in during the third week, and by the end of the month prices had 

 dropped 105. to 125. per cwt., and holders showed great anxiety to 

 reduce still further their stocks. On account of pasturage being very 

 backward on the Continent, supplies from that source are not large, 

 otherwise prices would show still further reductions. Secondary 

 qualities continue scarce, and in consequence, command relatively high 

 prices. 



There are no arrivals from Canada or the LInited States, prices being 

 far too high for export. In the middle of April, on account of extreme 

 scarcity in New York City, as high as 1665. per cwt. was being paid 

 for fancy selections. 



By the end of the month arrivals from Ireland were more free, but 

 below the average for the time of year. 



Eggs. — The production in England and Ireland has been large 

 during the month, but with the Continent busy pickling supplies for 

 the winter trade, and consequently smaller imports, prices have 

 remained fairly steady. 



