XXIX ) 
DAIRY PRODUCE, 1888. 
The following remarks have appeared in the Grocer : — - 
BuTTEK. — The unusual plentifulness of butter duriug 1888 has been due 
to the luxuriant growth of grass which has been seen in all parts of the 
kingdom, as well as on the Continent. In the early autumn the pastures 
were as green as they were in the spring, and the malie of English Butter 
has, in consequence, been so encouraged and extended month after month, 
that iu several of the home counties the bulk of consumers' wants have been 
supplied from local dairies and farms, instead of being satisfied by the ship- 
ments from places abroad. 
The trade has by this means been less dependent on foreign supplies, 
which have arrived much more freely from Denmark than anywhere else, 
and prices have, as a rule, tended strongly in a downward direction. It 
was chiefly in the first quarter of the year, when there was a scarcity of 
finest dairies, and the French and Danish descriptions were quoted between 
120s. and 140s., that the value ranged at all high, as it soon afterwards 
began to fall, till in the summer months Normandy was sold at 86*-. to 100s., 
Danish at 82s. to 94s., and Dutch (or Frlesland) at 70s. to 78s. ; and 
although a considerable rise subsequently took place, the current rates since 
then, excepting for Danish, have ruled, on the average, 10s. to 20s. per cwt, 
below those in 1887. 
Ikish Butter was also remarkably cheap during the greater part of the 
year ; in May the lowest prices were — for first " Corks," 74s., seconds 60s., 
thirds 57s., and fourths 48s. f. o. b. On these figures, however, there has 
since been a gradual advance of between 40s. and 50s. per cwt. 
Faotoey Butters, both Irish and Foreign, have also come in for a fair 
share of attention, and where quality and condition, and not price, have 
been the great desiderata, they have given entire satisfaction. 
Maegaeine. — In spite of the new Act which was directed against the 
article, Margarine has maintained its hold upon the public, having been 
dealt in almost as largely as in 1887, and certainly more extensively than 
in 1886, if the general importations into this country are to be taken as any 
criterion ; and comparatively full prices have been obtained, especially for the 
finer sorts of " mixtures," which could be bought with confidence lor their 
uniform excellence when it was not certain whether " piu'e '' butter would 
retain its sweetness and consistency in all temperatures alike. 
