( XXV ) 
was better value than it liad been in fonner years, still leaving 
very great margin for farther improvement. It is only fair to add 
that this improvement was most noticeable while the management 
of the Market was under inquiry, and while Parliament was about 
to interfere with legislation. At the close of the year there was a 
manifest relapse, and this reacted on prices to a very large extent, 
especially in November and December. 
The course of prices was almost without incident of an unusual 
kind. The first three months of the year are always dull in Cork, 
from the fact that no first and very little of second quality is to be 
had on the Market. The season opens in April, and is in full 
swing from May to the end of October. The prices on the first 
day of each month of the year are given below. Firsts commencetl 
in April at 1463., and seconds on April 1 were 135^. These prices 
were never quoted a second time during the year, and the lowest 
prices were touched in the second week of Jtily, when firsts were 
quoted at 90^. for one day 1 10th), and seconds at 81«. the previous 
day. Until the end of August there was no advance of any im- 
portance. On August 27, 28, and 2£», the price advanced 13^., and 
continued to advance steadily tmtil the midiile of October. On 
October 13 the prices were 131«. for firsts and 119s. for seconds. 
<rontTary to all expectation, and almost to precedent, prices fell to 
lloa. for firsts and 103*. for seconds in November. TVhen quantity 
began to fall off, prices went up again, but transactions at present 
prices are very limited, and the stock of butter in Cork is alm<jst 
CoEK Brmrs Maeket Prices. 1884. 
Firsts. 
Seconds. 
Thirds. 
Fonrths. 
Saperfiue. 
Fine 
MUd. 
MilJ. 
•Taauary i . . 
129 
ICO 
i. 
i. 
1:6 
Febraary i 
132 
9; 
59 
" 
137 
March, i ,. 
140 
ic3 
62 
155 
April r 
85 
56 
120 
Ma J I 
122 
97 
84 
57 
ii3 
1=5 
June r 
97 
83 
-I 
59 
106 
95 
3i 
July I 
94 
83 
75 
64 
IC4 
94 
85 
AagtLit I .. 
92 
36 
77 
iij 
1=8 
102 
September i 
xi6 
104 
96 
79 
128 
ii3 
73 
October I .. 
124 
1(2 
93 
84 
138 
126 
114 
November i 
121 
112 
96 
87 
138 
119 
III 
December i 
104 
85 
77 
145 
123 
97 
FoEEi'iy BcTTEE. — This description includes more largely than 
heretofore all denominations of " butterine," &c., that arrive chiefly 
