( XXII ) 
held firmly ; Cheshire varied in price from 50s. to 86s. ; Cheddar 
from 60s. to 90s. ; best American commencing at 54s. to 56s., and 
closing at 58s. to 60s. The general prices for best Cheshire in the 
month of October varied from 74s. to 80s. ; Cheddar varied in like 
manner — best, 84s. to 90s. ; for American there was a good demand 
at steadily advancing prices — best, 64s. to 66s. In the month of 
November fine English cheese held firmly; best Cheshire, 78s. to 
86s. ; best Cheddai - , 86s. to 94s. In the month of December fine 
English was scarce, and firmly held ; best Cheddar, 88s. to 94s. ; 
best Cheshire, 80s. to 88s. ; for American, prices varied little. 
Cork Butter Market. — " During the early months of the year 
the business of this market was, of course, rather restricted, the 
real work of the season commencing in April, when the new grass- 
butter comes to hand, and the supplies become large and increase 
rapidly. Prices then opened at what would formerly have been 
thought the high figures of 160s. and 152s. for firsts and seconds; 
but these rates have of late years become the rule and not the 
exception. However, by the latter end of May they had fallen 
to 123s., 114s., and 107s., for first, second, and third qualities 
respectively ; and this was the lowest point of the year. Any 
further fall was then checked by the great drought which set in, 
and which continued throughout the summer. The result was that 
from that time until the present the quotations showed (varied by 
very trifling fluctuations) one continued and gradual advance, so 
that the prices at the close of 1876 were almost the highest for the 
season. The receipts of butter to the market, notwithstanding the 
drought, contrasted favourably with those of 1875 (which latter 
were the heaviest of any year on record), the total of each being — 
1875, 433,281 firkins; 1876, 389,000 firkins." 
