XXXI ) 
DAIRY PRODUCE, 1887. 
The following remarks have appeared in the " Grocer " : — 
Irish Butter. — A good demand has mostly been experienced for this 
description of butter, as there are still some classes of consumers who will 
have this in preference to any other, and, in spite of severe foreign competi- 
tion, large quantities have been landed and delivered in London at relatively 
full rates. In the early months first ' Corks,' as usual, were not to be had, 
but seconds were quoted 127s. to 130s., thirds 104s. to 105s., and fourths 
89s. per cwt. New season's makes in April were offering at a considerable 
reduction, when firsts were sold at 107s., seconds at 102s., thii-ds at 80s., 
and fourths at 76s. ; but this was followed by a much heavier decline, when 
88s., 74s., 64s., and 56s. respectively became the current rates; and in June 
the lowest point of the year was touched, when first quality was realised at 
79s., second at 68s., third at 61s., and fourth at 52s. In accordance with 
the moves -in previous seasons, prices for Cork butter rose 12s. to 15s. per 
cwt. in July, and again rapidly advancing in August, were then ruling at 
118s. to 120s. for firsts, 114s. to 116s. for seconds, 106s. to 110s. for thirds, 
and 90s. to 97s. for fourths, being the best terms that were obtained since 
the commencement of 1887. Latterly the tendency has been in favour of 
the buyer, and in November sales were practicable only at 113s. for first 
Corks, at 100s. for seconds, at 95s. for thirds, and at 82s. for fourths. For 
a short time in December, 128s. was the top price for finest quality, and 117s. 
for seconds, but no firsts are now (January 1888) offering, and the third and 
fourth grades can be had at 94s. and 76s. per cwt. 
Foreign Butter. — The importations have nearly equalled those in 
1886, and heavier quantities are received from Denmark, France, and Ger- 
many, those from Holland having materially diminished, whilst from other 
countries the consignments have been small and irregular. The opening 
rates for Normandy butter last year were: — For baskets I06s. to 120s., 
firkins 108s. to 116s., and seconds 90s. to 96s.; but in March the finest 
quality fetched 116s. to 138s. per cwt., though other kinds were procurable 
at some concessions. However, in April, more weakness began to show 
itself, and shortly afterwards the following rates were accepted: — For 
baskets 100s. to 112s., firkins 96s. to 102s., and seconds 78s. to 84s. ; but the 
lowest figures were established in Jime, when butter in baskets was pur- 
chased at 92s. to 102s., in firkins at 88s. to 92s., and seconds at 74s. to 7 8s. 
After that there was a smart reaction of 10s. per cwt., which was thrice 
repeated in July, August, and September, and the total advance having since 
been fairly well maintained, the final rates in November and December were 
as under: — For baskets 112s. to 134s., firkins 112s. to 128s., and seconds 
110s, down to 96s. Danish butter has moved much in proportion, at first 
