C XXI ) 
consequence of the extreme heat. After once this autumn advance 
bad ceased, till supplies began to drop off in December, there was 
no great change in prices of fine butter. The usual advance in 
October did not take place this year, partly because prices were 
already high and partly because buyers on this side did not go 
into stock this winter as in former years. The Cork prices now 
at the close of the j-ear stand at figures which make each quality 
good value, and will serve as a useful check on the inclination to 
force foreign butters to extravagant prices. AVe learn that fur 
many years there has not been so veiy little butter held in the 
farmers' hands as now, nor so little stock held by Cork exporters. 
The good prices available all the year induced farmers to sell ac- 
cording as it was made, and the experience of last year frightened 
many merchants from putting in stock. A great scarcity of Cork 
butter may be looked for this winter. 
The unusual occurrence of a " strike " in the Cork butter market 
was one of the closing events of the year, and though it lasted less 
than a week it did the market great barm, as it diverted a good 
many orders elsewhere, and caused a heavy fall in prices at a 
season when they should naturally advance. The market ends 
this year, as it has done for some years past, financially em- 
barrassed, notwithstanding its immense annual revenue. 
Cork Botter. — The sale has been greatly lessened by some of 
the shippers, who have been sending travellers round to call on 
retailers in this country, offering to sell them small quantities at 
the same prices asked for large quantities here. The beginning of 
January first qualities were offered for sale here at 141s. to 143s. ; 
at the end of the month they were 140s. to 148s. Quotations then 
ceased for them until the beginning of the new season's brands in 
May. The range in the prices of seconds was great, varying 
according to the freshness, some being sent from country dealers 
for resale in this market. Quotations for seconds in January 
varied from 136s. to 144s. ; earlj^ in February, from 115s. to 144s. ; 
at the end of the month, 115s. to 138s.; early in March, 112s. to 
185s.; at the end of the month, 90s. to 125s. ; early in April, 80s. 
to 135s.; new, the third week in April, 122s. to 124s., the last 
week, 106s. TJiirds, the first week in January, Ills, to 113s., then 
for the remainder of the month, 103s. to Ills.; in February they 
varied from 103s. to 110s.; March, 77s. to 100s.; April, 70s. to 
100s., early in the month, and new at the latter end, 84s. to 85s. 
In the beginning of May firsts were 136s., at the end of the month, 
106s. ; June, began 106s. to 107s., the last week, 112s. to 113s. ; in 
July they varied from 115s. to 120s.; August, 118s. to 121s.; 
September, 121s.; October, 121s. to 125s.; early in November, 
