Receipts were lighter in the East but heavier in the West, as is shown in the following table, which gives receipts in carloads at several important markets for the weeks ending July 22 and July 29, 1922 and July 30, 1921:
| City. | 1922 | 1921 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 29. | July 22. | July 30. | |
| Boston | 39 | 30 | |
| New York | 173 | 280 | 192 |
| Philadelphia | 69 | 41 | |
| Pittsburgh | 44 | 29 | |
| Cincinnati | 188 | 113 | 146 |
| Chicago | 258 | 191 | 228 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul | 208 | 141 | 54 |
| St. Louis | 121 | 88 | |
| Kansas City | 360 | 330 | |
| Los Angeles | 48 | 84 | 224 |
| San Francisco | 138 | 253 | |
TIMOTHY LOWER IN EAST.
Timothy.—Notwithstanding the light receipts, prices declined $1.50–$2.50 per ton on No. 1 timothy hay at New York and Boston during the week. Very little good hay was offered and the poorer grades were not wanted. Buyers appeared to prefer to await larger receipts of new hay. The few cars of new hay arriving were mostly No. 3 or lower and some were heating. Light receipts caused firm prices most of the week at Philadelphia and good old hay was in demand at Pittsburgh. New hay, most of which graded No. 2, sold at $5 discount under old No. 1 prices at the latter market.
Good quality old hay and new cool, sweet hay sold readily at Chicago, but the poorer grades, of which there was an oversupply, sold at heavy discounts. Southside yards were congested with off-grade hay. Nearly all the new hay was reported to be overripe and of poor color. Many cars were heating, also.
The timothy market developed an easier tone at both Cincinnati and St. Louis. The local demand was limited and prices were said to be too high to stimulate a shipping demand to the South and Southeast. There was, however, very little inquiry from the southern markets, as Johnson grass and other local hays were on the market in good supply.
ALFALFA MOVEMENT LIGHT.
Alfalfa.—The movement of alfalfa from Kansas and other Southwestern States was comparatively light, as the second crop of alfalfa was much smaller than the first because of the hot, dry weather which recently prevailed in that territory. The shortage of water in some sections will also probably cause a lighter yield of the third crop so that producers are not inclined to sell their stocks at prices unsatisfactory to them. Kansas City reported a more active demand from the cotton belt as well as from the local dairy trade.
Advances in prices for all grades were reported from Los Angeles where receipts were light. Choice rabbit hay sold as high as $25 per ton. Receipts at San Francisco were heavier and prices were much lower than at the southern market.
Prairie.—Prairie hay constituted the bulk of the receipts at Minneapolis and Kansas City. Dealers and consumers who had accumulated large stocks of hay in expectation of a curtailed supply because of the rail strike were not interested and the market ruled dull. The stockyards offered the principal outlet at Minneapolis. Country supplies of prairie were reported heavy and little improvement in the market was expected.