Business generally, the past season, has been extremely good; and we do not hesitate to say, few years can show a greater amount of substantial profits. We consider the days of darkness as passed, and we may now look forward to the future with the brightest anticipations.
Packing Pork.—On this subject we quote from the Cincinnati Chronicle of 22d November. For the benefit of our distant readers, who may be disposed to send their orders here for pork, we give below the pork-merchant's prices for packing this season, based upon 60 cents per bushel for Turk-Island salt, 87½ cents for bbls., 28 cents per bushel for Kenhawa fine salt, and 75 cents to $1.50 per day, for laborers. For receiving, weighing, and cutting the hogs, a block-fee of 5 cents each.
For packing per bbl., including all charges, $1.60 a $1.75. For salting 100 lbs. in bulk, including saltpetre for the joints, $1.62 a $1.75. Smoking per 1.000 lbs., including washing, $1.25. Rendering lard, 37 a 50 cents per 100 lbs., which does not include the price of the keg or barrel—2 to 5 cents is also charged on each keg or barrel, for nailing the hoops, boring, weighing, and marking. The cooperage is charged at cost.
To Correspondents.
—A. B. Your package of Essays is sent to T. C. R. of P., as directed, and we have written you in full in it. The sheep-articles shall be condensed as you suggest, if we can possibly find room, and papers in any event sent to the gentlemen whose names are given. Good South-Downs, or Merinos, can be had from $10 to $20 each. It is not worth while to transport lower-priced animals such a distance. For Rambouillets, $30 to $50 each. See Mr. Collins' letter, Sept. No., page 166.
Henry A. Field, J. W. Stuart, S. B. Parsons, James Bates, and D. K. Minor, in our next.
Acknowledgment.—From some unknown friend, we have received a tin case containing two fine paintings of cattle, sheep, &c. We should be pleased to know to whom we are indebted for these, for no note accompanied them, and we can hardly guess.
BLACK GALLOWAY CATTLE.