170 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Mat, 
Commercial Matters— Market Prices. 
The following condensed, comprehensive tables, care- 
fully prepared specialty for the American Agriculturist, 
show at a glance the transactions for the month ending 
April 14, 1863, and for the corresponding month last year : 
1. TRANSACTIONS AT TUE KEW-TOBK MARKETS. 
Heceipts. Flour. Wlteat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
20days;Iosm'tli.m090 502.5(10 013.0(10 00.500 153,000 77.000 
23days/(K<m'tll.l31.000 89,000 9X3,000 23.000 41,000 109,000 
Sales. Flour. Wheat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
i&. Comparison with same period at this time last year 
Receipts. Flour. meat. Corn. Bye. Barley. Oats. 
93 days 1S08.... 1)8.000 202.500 913.000 00.500 153.000 77.000 
21 days 1887.... 154,000 159,000 141,000 3,800 54,000 51,000 
26 days 1867 278,000 I.OfO.OOO 2,014,1100 590,000 709,000 
3. Exports from New York, Jan. 1 to April 14: 
Flour. Wlieat. Corn. Rye. Oats. 
205.515 815,889 2.303.940 148.832 24,407 
1S65 353,290 155,701 129,749 
141 
24,302 
-1 . Slock of grain in store at New York : 
Wheat, Corn, Rye, Barley, Oats, Malt, 
1868. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. bush. 
Apr. 13 686,630 1,228.259 8,270 13.235 801.199 
Mar. 10 1,175.155 1,719.^5! 43,542 46.014 1.701.212 34,102 
Kel). 11 1,507.(170 1,7(15.3^0 HUH 93.1135 2.131.101 05.2::; 
Jan. 13 1,617,413 1,431,553 180,330 161,313 2,379,120 60.3-0 
186T. 
Dec. 11 1,804.215 I.il.i3.fi94 202,9(0 392.M5 "..199.563 83.445 
Nov. 12 911.120 1,951.7(16 131.513 361.05:1 5.216.752 52,155 
(let. 1.5 167953 907.661 7,300 32,793 800,897 57.077 
Sept. 10 1211.532 1.154.892 500 9.370 1.35.737 61.50S 
Am. 13..... 90.171 863,724 32.785 12.376 29,340 4S.632 
duly 15 245.5119 160.780 06,980 21.59) 506,71V! 31.70) 
dune 11 578270 217,976 117.257 69.613 879.-65 16.311 
May 15 731,330 261,095 186,101 115,700 008,494 10,461 
Current wholesale Prices. 
March 14. April 14. 
Price of Gold l.i") 138^ 
Floor— Super to Extra Statef S 83 (.ill 00 $ 9 00 ell 25 
suiter to Extra Southern. .. 9 80 (315 00 9 75 (-15 00 
Extra Western 9 90 ®!5 50 9 80 (3,15 50 
Extra, Genesee 1110 a 14 50 1130 ®14 25 
Superfine Western s 90 @ 9 60 9 00 a 950 
Eye Floor 7 65 @ 9 60 7 50 ® 9 60 
CORN Meal 5 75 (To 6 25 5 55 (3 6 55 
Wheat— All kinds of White. 5 85 ©8 50 2 90 @ 3 35 
All kinds of lied and Amber. 2 30 m 2 85 2 30 (({5 90 
-Tclloiv 153 @ 1 SS 155 (3 127 
- Western . 
Nominal. Nominal. 
Eye 1 90 (3 1 88 1 87 (3 1 94 
Oiclev 5 05 (3 5 40 5 00 (3 2 35 
Hat— Bale 9 100 B 105 (3 155 75 (3 1 30 
Loose 115 (3 160 80 ® 1 40 
Std.hv, 'cliiull 95 (3 115 00 ® 80 
C'urr .((-Middlings, 9 lb .... S4\^ 26 31 ® 329; 
JIops-Ci.-,. ■ '07 . "(. R, 15 ® 60 10 ® 55 
Feathebs— Live Geese, 9 a. 75 ® 90 75 ® 90 
SEKD-l'lover, is lb 1SK® 14Ji 9^(3 10',' 
Timothy. %) bushel.. 2 75 ® 8 00 2 30 @ 2 50 
Flax, 9 bushel 2 75 (3 2 85 2 60 ® 5 80 
SrOAli-Ilrou II, 9 H> 10^(3 1SX 10 ® 13"^ 
Molasses, Cuba, $ gal ...... 3! a 55 37 ® 55 
Coffee— Kio,(Goldprice)S lb 125C® 18 13X® isx 
TOBai , Kentucky, &c„ Sib. 7 (3 24 8 @ 24 
Seed Leaf, ¥» lb 4 ® 65 5® 50 
Wool-Do luetic Fierce, %» B. 40 ® 60 40 @ 60 
Domestic, pulled, 9 B 28 @ 48 28 ® 47 
California, unwashed, 18 ® 32 20 @ S3 
Tai.I5.vv. 9 lb 11W 11X 12J<® 12^ 
Beef— PI 
. . 20 no (021 00 21 en a "'i 
1 14 00 (350 09 15 00 (350 50 
l..\r.n. 111 i.arreis.plb ll-\''3 16 17 (3 is 
Hl-ri-ER— Western, *• tt. 83 (3 50 18 (=j 42H 
State, ¥ K. 47 @ 60 SO @ 53 
CHEESE 9 ® 16X 9 ® 16J( 
Beaks— 9 bnsliel 5 50 (3 5 80 5 65 a 6 10 
Peas— Canada. 9 bushel 1 55 @ — 1 55 @ — 
Koos— Fresh. T' dozen 58 (3 31 22 (3 24 
PODITRY— Fowls, 9 B 18 ® 20 20 ® 55 
Turkeys, ?!It. SO @ 25 22 a 25 
Potatoes— 9 bhl 3 75 @ 5 CO 3 75 a 4 75 
Apples—* barrel. 4(0 <3 9 00 5 00 a 00 
Cranberries, V barrel 7 00 ® 9 50 7 00 @10 00 
Gold has been very moderately dealt in, since our last, 
closing at 13S?^ . . . Breadstufl's have been in good demand, 
as a rule, hut quite variable in price. The offerings of 
the leading articles have been moderate. The flour and 
wheat market closed strong and buoyant, on a reduced 
supply, and improved inquiry. Prime parcels of spring 
wheat have become scarce here ; they are wanted by both 
millers and shippers, and are on the advance. Winter 
wheat is in very meagre stock, and held above the views 
of purchasers. Corn has been quoted much firmer within 
the closing week, on a good home and export trade. 
Oats have also been firm and active, within the last half 
of the month. Eye and Barley are very scarce and quiet. 
A brisk business has been transacted in Provisions ; 
hog products have advanced materially, ou an active 
home, speculative, and export demand. Beef has also 
improved materially in price. Butter and cheese have 
been quoted easier, on a better supply Cotton has again 
advanced very sharply, on unusually heavy transactions, 
closing firmly at extreme figures... Wool has attracted 
much less attention, and has favored buyers Hay has 
been less active and much cheaper. Straw has also de- 
clined Hops and Seeds have been slow of sale at re- 
duced figures. ...Tobacco has been steady, but inactive, 
>ew York liive StocU JCarltets.— 
week ending. Beeves. Coics. Calves. Sheep. Stcine. Toi'l 
March 16 4,325 116 1,180 19.015 11,220 55,836 
March 53 3,941 84 1.255 14,713 13.S06 32.-09 
March 30 4.847 175 1.621 10.105 19.2-1 12.892 
April 6 4.514 152 1.9"7 15.879 12.5-1 .... , 
April 13 5.811 152 2,271 20.071 12,583 40.330 
Total in fire Weeks.... 52,933 679 8,537 86,206 69,470 187,497 
do/oi-preri'>!(.s4T!(«A'S.lS,31S 307 2,625 86,87.5 42,573 159,095 
Beeves. Cotes. Calres. Sheep. Sirine. 
Average perWeek 8.583 130 1647 17,211 13,890 
do do last Month. 4,579 77 656 21,719 10,013 
do do prev's Month. 5,107 SI 611 24,104 11,353 
Average per Week, 1S67. 5.514 64 1.320 22,154 20.605 
do. do. do. 1S66 5,748 94 1.200 20.000 13,100 
do. do. do. 1S65 ... 5,555 118 1.500 16.091 11,023 
do. do. do. 1301 5,161 145 1,511 15,315 12,076 
do. do. do. 1S63 5,150 129 094 9,941 21.070 
Total in 1S67 293,832 3,309 69.911 1.174.154 1,102.643 
Total ill 1866 298.880 4.885 62.420 l.lllli.oim 872,11110 
Total m 1865 270,271 6,161 77,991 .330,730 573.197 
Total in 1S04 267.619 7.003 75,021 732.162 609.270 
Total ill 1863 ...504,091 6,470 35,705 519,316 1,101,617 
The above table gives the weekly receipts for the four 
weeks ending April G, the total number of all kinds for 
each 5veek, also the number of each kind for the four 
3veeks, as 5vell as the sum of all kinds for the month. 
During the Lenten Season there is usually a small run 
of stock, but this year the numbers have been unusually 
small, and prices at least loliTUc. higher than for the same 
Eeasou last year. The average weekly number of beeves 
for the past month has only been 4.407, or 1 .137 less than 
the weekly average for last year, and the market is dull. 
At the time we close our report, April 11th, there is a bet- 
ter feeling manifest, both with sellers and buyers, for it is 
expected that when Lent ends, the demand for beef will 
increase. Drovers are aware of this, and large lots are 
looked for. Stock men assert, however, that few good 
cattle are to he had, and predict a continued light run. 
One thingwhich tends to keep prices up is the fact that 
very little commission business is done. Many drovers 
and feeders who formerly came to market with their 
stock, and had them sold on commission, now seldom 
come ; most of the cattle are bought up on the road, or as 
Foon as they arrive, by large dealers, and are held by them 
at high prices. To show how this tends to concentration 
in trade, we mention, that out of 4,514 head in market last 
week. 1,125 were held by three individuals or firms. It is 
difficult to conjecture what will be the future condition of 
the market if this state of things continues.. Beef.— The 
number of beef cattle in market this month was still less 
than last month, and prices for fair beef have been at 
least lc. per lb. higher, though not so many head 
were sold at the highest figures. The market has 
been pretty even as to quality, but the size of the ani- 
mals varied greatly. There was really no "prime" beef 
to be had. The few head that sold for 20c. were not 
equal to those bought in for Washington's Birthday or 
for Christmas, and do not deserve special mention. The 
following list gives the range of prices, average price, 
and the figures at which the largest lots were sold: 
Mar. 16th ranged 15@19e. Av. 17c. Large sales 16 ®18 
do 23d do 13X®19c. do V,',e. do do 16 @1S« 
do 30th do 14(3l9i'. do 17'<c. do do 16X@18 
April 6th do 14@20c. do 17X@lSc. do do 1" @19 
It will be seen by comparing the above with the prices 
given last month, that no sales were made as low. by 2c. 
per lb., as some then given. Low priced beef became 
gradually higher ; there have been very few really poor 
cattle for sale, and with the exception of the few head 
that went at 20c. the market 3vas very even. Sales were 
made rather slowly, and many days the market would 
drag until late in the afternoon, the butchers often going 
home in the hope that to-morrow would be better for 
them, but after all they had to be content with few cattle 
and small profits Milcli Cows.— Cows have been 
more plenty, and some weeks rather glutted the market. 
We have no change to report from the prices paid last 
mouth. It is seldom a cow brings over $100, and a fair 
animal may be had for $S0 ; $00 to $S0 is a good price for 
an ordinary cow ; $90, if she have a good calf with her ; 
while inferior milkers are hard to dispose of at $4000 $50. 
. . .Veal Calves.— Calves have come in more abundant- 
ly this month, both hog-dressed and alive. The market 
for them has been a little dull, and prices lower than last 
quoted. The scarcity of beef helps their sale somewhat, 
and the market is generally cleaned out. Prime live 
calves are worth 12!4©13c. ; from this, prices run down 
to lie. and 10c, and if less than this they are generally 
si.ld by the head. "Hog-dressed" calves have a wide 
range, both in quality and price ; a good one will bring 
10c. per lb., and so on down to 9c. per lb., and e3'en 7c. 
forpoor ones, while "Bobs" go by the carcass \-ery cheap. 
. . . Sheep.— The decrease in the sheep trade has been 
quite marked, probably due to the near approach of shear- 
ing time, many prefering to sell after the " clip." Some 
feeders, taking advantage of the warm days, have kept the 
fleeces, and sent the sheep to market quite naked ; they 
sold a little under the market. A few spring lambs were 
in last week, but of course were small : a lot of ten 
head sold for $7 each. Very superior sheep sold as 
high as 10@10; ',c. per Jo., while smaller ones brought S^ 
@9c. One lot of very large, fat sheep brought the owner 
$10 a head, and many 3vhole droves averaged $10, $11. 
and $12 each, These are very high prices Swine. — 
Hogs have been more plenty, with quite a decline in 
price. Western dressed come in less abundantly, and 
live hogs sell steadily. There is a falling off in the price 
of at least iaOTlc. per lb. on live hogs, and fine fat animals 
may be bought now for 9^@9 1 2C. per Th.; smaller ones 
for y l 2<(?;9c. per lb. live weight. Some ear loads of really 
prime hogs, very fat, brought 1055 10' «c, the week ending 
March 23d. and at closing our report. April 11th, the same 
quality may be had for 9? 8 c. per lb. The market looks 
dull and heaiwat present and is still on the decline, many 
thousand head remaining over 'from day to day unsold. 
containing a great variety of Items, including many 
good Hints and Hugg,stions which uv throw into smaller 
type and condensed form, for want of space elsewhere. 
Mow to Remit :— Cheeks on >ew. 
Vork Banks or Bankers are best for large sums ; 
made payable to the order of Orange Jmlil &: Co. 
Post-OfHee Money Orders may be obtain- 
ed at nearly every county seat, in all the cities, and in 
many of the large towns. We consider them perfectly 
safe, and the best means of remitting fifty dollars or less, 
as thousands have been sent lo us without any loss. 
Registered Letters, under die uewsystem, 
which went Into effect June 1st, are a very safe- 
means of sending small sums of money where P. O. Mon- 
ey Orders cannot be easily obtained. Observe, the Jleg- 
istry fee, a^ well as postage, must be paid in stamps at. 
the oflice where the letter is mailed, or it will be liable 
to he sent to the Dead Letter Office. Buy and affix tlur 
stamps both for )>ostage and registry, put in the money and 
seal the letter in the presence of the postmaster, and fake his- 
receipt for it. Letters sent in this way to us are at our risk. 
Xo Subscribers.— Change of Ad-- 
dress. — When the address of a subscriber to the Agri- 
culturist is to be changed, notice should be sent us three 
weeks before the paper for the month following the 
change will be due, in order that we may have time to 
make the address right before the wrappers are written. 
If the notice is not sent in time, one number of the 
paper goes to the old address, before the change can be 
made. Subscribers will please to notice tiiis request. 
Premiums for Everybody Now.— 
Special attention is asked to the Publishers 1 proposals on 
pages 103 and 109. A single subscriber, sent this month. 
will secure a valuable work free, and the offer will extend 
beyond this month to those too distant to respond within 
that time. It will be noted, also, that the general pre- 
miums arc still continued, and those who have lists par- 
tially made up can complete them any time before the end 
of June. Many new lists 3vere started and completed dur- 
ing last May. There are certainly many excellent articles 
in the Table of Premiums which are abundantly worthy 
the small effort required to obtain them. Many more per- 
sons have secured premiums this year than in any former 
year, and the work need not slacken at all now. Indeed, 
this is a very favorable season for it— just the time when 
people feel the need of information most keenly. 
Hostage Only 3 Cents per Quarter. 
— Complaints have come to us tiiat some Postmasters 
charge 20 to 36 cents per year. The legal postage ou the 
A griculturist is only 3 cents per quarter, or 12 cents a 
year, if paid in advance where the paper is received, on 
papers or magazines, issued monthly, and not weighing 
over 4 ounces. The law is so simple and explicit on this 
point that no one able to manage the smallest oflice can 
fail to understand it, if he tries. This paper is always, 
kept a trifle under 4 ounces. If circulars, advertising hand- 
bills, etc., increase the weight, they are put in by the local 
officers. Wo never allow anything of the kind to be en- 
closed in our paper. If any Postmaster shall hereafter 
charge over 3 cents per quarter, or 12 cents per year, 
please show him this note, and then, if necessary, report 
his case to us, to be laid before the Postmaster General. 
Croquet Arena.—" O. O.," Delphos, Ohio. 
There is no other rule for the size of the arena, than the 
convenience of the players. The larger the number of 
players, the more room will be needed. The player can 
drive his ball at one stroke as far as the lines run straight. 
The ball must go through the hoops, in the order in which 
they are numbered in the diagrams given in April. 
