444 



The Provision Trade in July, [aug., 



Arrivals from some countries continue to show an increase over last 

 year, but they are still below the average of recent years. The demand 

 in America was good for all cured meats, that country having also 

 experienced very hot weather. In consequence the prices asked for 

 shipment were high, and importers considered them too dear, to 

 warrant their taking the risk of making purchases of any quantity 

 for August and September shipments. During July the prices for 

 American hogs fluctuated from $6.15 to $7.35, against $8.20 to $9.30 

 last year, and $7.20 to $8.25 two years ago. The quantities marketed 

 continue to increase. The arrivals from Canada were only moderate, 

 and prices kept steady until the end of the month, when they were a 

 little easier. 



English pigs were in moderate supply at about unchanged prices 

 on the month. 



Cheese. — ^The market during the past month was very puzzling to 

 dealers generally. There was a fair consumptive demand, and the 

 Canadian factorymen, being aware of the hot dry weather prevailing in 

 this country, and consequent shrinkage in the make of cheese, have 

 advanced their shipping prices, so that at the end of July as high as 

 605. c.i.f. was asked for fancy Belleville section goods. This price is 

 an unusually high one so early in the season for cheese made during the 

 month of July. 



The receipts of cheese into Montreal from May 1st to July i5ih 

 were 639,202 boxes, against 677,308 for the same period last year. 

 The estimated stocks of Canadian cheese in this country on July 31st 

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

 Bristol) were 214,000 boxes, against 274,000 at the same time last year, 

 and 216,000 two years ago. The stock of New Zealand cheese was 

 2,600 crates in London and Bristol, against 8,500 last year. In the 

 United States of America prices were around those current in Canada, 

 and a few desirable lots were exported. 



The dry weather has seriously curtailed the make of English cheese, 

 more especially in the west, where there have been longer periods 

 without rain. There was more marketed in Lancashire and Cheshire 

 than in any of the other cheese-making districts, but the quality was 

 irregular, and comparatively low prices were accepted in order to effect 

 a clearance. 



Butter. — There was a fair demand for this article, and with the 

 continued dry weather prices increased from 55. to 6s. per cwt. on the 

 month. 



Siberia is still experiencing very hot weather, and arrivals from 

 that country were less. Australians moved steadily out of cold stores 

 at advancing prices, the demand being mostly for best selections. New 

 Zealands were in small supply. Shipments continued to arrive from 

 Canada, but the quantities were not large, although in excess of the 

 last two years. From May ist to July 15th this year- the quantity 

 shipped to England and Scotland amounted to 25,198 packages, 

 against 5,216 last year, and 2,454 igog. The shipping price at the 

 end of the month was around 1125. c.i.f. United States butter was 

 above an export basis. Irish butter advanced steadily on the month. 

 On account of the hot weather* the make shrunk considerably; the 

 shortage is variously estimated at from 30 to 50 per cent. 



