191 1.] The Provision Trade in February. 1045 



Prices in America are now several shillings above those current 

 here, and in consequence cables report a curtailment in shipments to 

 this country. American hogs have again fluctuated considerably dur- 

 ing the month, ranging from $6.65 to $7.85, against $8.10 to $9.35 

 last year, and $5.80 to $6.80 two years ago. The Canadian packers 

 still complain of the small number of hogs available. 



Sales have recently been made of New Zealand carcasses of pigs, 

 averaging from 120 to 170 lb., to be shipped during April and May 

 at $%d. per lb., delivered English ports. These should reach here during 

 June and July, and after they are cured the bacon will cost about 60s. 

 per cwt. 



English pigs have been more plentiful, but in some districts an 

 advanced price was secured for bacon pigs at the end of the month. 



Cheese. — The general trade has been disappointing. Deliveries of 

 the Canadian article from public warehouses have been of fair volume, 

 but there has been a lack of fresh business, these deliveries being on 

 contracts made some time previously. 



The demand for New Zealand makes has not been as good as 

 dealers wished and hoped for, and although some holders have been 

 willing to meet buyers slightly in prices, orders have been small. It 

 is now expected that the make in that country this season will not 

 exceed that of last year. Recent cables report that the hot and dry 

 weather in that country is decreasing the production both of cheese 

 and butter. 



Prices of cheese have fallen in the United States ; best goods can 

 now be bought at prices equal to 705. per cwt., delivered in England. 

 The stocks in Canada are now small, and are being held for more 

 money than importers will at present pay; say around 59s. to 605. c.i.f. 

 All descriptions of English cheese are getting into small compass, and 

 dealers are somewhat firmer in their ideas. 



The stocks of Canadian cheese at the three principal distributing 

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

 210,000 boxes, against 221,000 last year, and 194,000 two years ago. 

 Also the stocks of New Zealand in London were 27,000 crates (two 

 cheeses in a crate), against 28,000 last year; in Bristol, 5,000 crates, 

 last year 3,500 crates. 



Butter. — In spite of the determined efforts of those largely in- 

 terested to lift prices of best Colonial butter, the heavy arrivals have 

 spoilt their chances of success, and on the month prices show little 

 change ; if anything, they are slightly in favour of buyers. At the 

 end of the month values were 10s. to 155. per cwt. below those current 

 at the same time last year. 



The first arrivals from the United States for this season reached 

 •us during the month, the prices for summer-made creameries being 

 about 935. c.i.f., which is a big reduction on the prices current in 

 the U.S.A. Even this price is too high to admit of much business 

 being done, in competition with fancy fresh New Zealands at 1035. to 

 105s. c.i.f. 



Eggs. — There has been an unusual scarcity of all descriptions, the 

 preserved stocks having been cleared earlier than usual, and the 

 severe weather on the Continent, having curtailed supplies from that 

 source, induced higher prices than usual. 



