( XXTII ) 
370,200 firkius against 370,080 for tho same period of 1872 ; but as 
1871 was one of the largest on record, the deficiency of 114 firkins 
is of no moment, and this market may fairly be described as pro- 
gressing in every respect. 
" FouEiGx Butter. — Januaiy commenced and finished with a 
heavj'- stock of foreign butter — say 20,000 packages at the public 
wharves, besides large quantities in private stores, a very large 
portion of it so inferior in quality that it was found to be almost 
impossible to force it into consumption for human food ; the result 
■was a wide range of prices at the beginning of the month. March 
commenced with a heavy stock of foreign butter, chiefly of inferior 
quality, and nearly unsaleable, 140s. to 150s. were selling prices for 
finest Normandy up to the 20th. Although the supplies of best 
Normandy's were not large in April, prices, in the face of an increase 
in the make of fine English gave way 5s., the first week in the 
month from 150s. to 145s., and the fourth week 124s. A large 
quantity of inferior foreign still lying nearly unsaleable. In June, 
the supply of foreign butter w^as a full average one; finest qualities 
preponderating. A large quantity of inferior still on hand. The 
supply of foreign butter in July was about the average ; in August 
with cooler weather the ariivals came to hand in better condition. 
In September, the market was heavily stocked with old inferior 
foreign, but there was less of that called adulterated coming forward. 
In October inferior qualities were not shipped as freely as last 
season — dealers being afraid of the Adulteration of Food Act. In 
December, supplies of best Normandy's fell off ; on the finest the 
demand was active, the chief rates for such varying from 134s. to 
140s. A good deal of the inferior qualities, many of them last 
season's shipments of repacks, &c., still lying here nearly unsaleable, 
although offered at little if anything above grease prices. 
" Cheese. — The variation in prices, throughout January, was 
very trifling ; fine qualities were scarce. Quotations for Cheddar 
were 70.s. to 84s., American, fine, 00s. to OGs. In February a great 
falling off in the arrivals of American cheese into Liverpool gave 
more confidence to holders. In March, really fine English Avas 
scarce, but there was a plentiful supply of second-rate qualities. 
The range in prices of Cheddar was from GOs. to 90s., Cheshire 
from 20s. to 04s. for common descriptions, and 70s. to 84s. for best. 
Arrivals of American during this month fell off very much. 
Throughout April quotations varied little ; really fine English still 
scarce. The asking rates for choice Cheddar 80s. to 90s. downward 
to GOs. for common. In consequence of small arrivals of American 
the moderate priced English were more easily disposed of. Ame- 
