( XIX ) 
London markets, and an active demand for it from our northern 
markets, all was cleared oif fast as to hand ; quotations for beat 
Normandys ranging from 144>. to 156s. There was a steady- 
demand for American. In February the arrivals were large, a 
great portion of them were of second-rate and inferior qualities. 
Supplies of foreign butter in March were considerably above ave- 
rage ones. In April supplies continued to arrive in excess of those 
usual at this period of the year, but the demand was such as to 
clear all off fast as to hand. In May, best Normandys began at 
130s. to 110s.; at the end of the month, 112s. to 120s., the lowest 
price throughout the season : the want of rain and the fear of short 
crops then began to be felt. In France the want of rain was felt 
in June, and advancing prices was the result. In the early part 
of July the supplies were -heavy, but became lighter towards the 
end ; the heat of the weather rendered it difficult to bring it here 
in good condition, both importers and the trade were afraid to hold 
quantity. Supplies of foreign butter in August were large, and a con- 
siderable portion of these were second-rate and inferior. The supplies 
of foreign butter in September were not quite so heavy, and there 
was a large proportion of second-rate and inferior amongst them ; 
these descriptions were pressed at irregular rates, but finest held 
steadily. In October the supplies for this period of the year con- 
tinued large ; a great portion, however, was of very middling 
quality. For November supplies were large — say, including the 
out-ports, over 150,000 packages — a considerable portion consisted 
of doubtful qualities, the sale of which was anxiously pressed at 
seemingly low prices. In December the supplies were unnaturally 
large for the season, and a great deal of foreign butter of doubtful 
character was received, causing a wide range in prices. 
Cheese. — In January holders of fine English were very firm, 
and, as usual there was a wide range in prices. In February there 
was also a firm market for all fine qualities, many of the buyers 
for country towns paying higher prices for fine English than those 
quoted in the London market. There was a steady demand for 
best qualities of American. In March the market was firm, closing 
at the highest quotations, and really fine English was scarce. In 
April the market was firm : there was a difficulty in obtaining a 
quantity of really fine English, and good useful parcels were "in 
better demand. In May the best English held steadily, scarcely 
any variation in price ; the demand for American, although not what 
is termed active, was sufiicient to clear off nearly all the old. By 
June the shortness of the grass led the makers of English to expect 
a smaller make than usual, a firm market for fine was thus caused. 
B 2 
