While Chicago registered smaller fluctuations the trend was steadily downward and closing prices were $2 to $3 below the opening. Although closing prices at eastern markets were slightly above the low spot for the month, trade conditions at the close were generally unsatisfactory to the selling side. At the beginning of the month cold storage holdings were 820,519 lbs. less than a month earlier, but were still considerably above the season’s average during prewar years.

Mutton.—Receipts of mutton at eastern markets decreased 32,000 carcasses as compared with the same period a year ago. This reduction, together with a general improvement in quality over that of the previous month, was the principal factor contributing to a generally steady market in the East, particularly during the last half of the month. With supplies at Chicago consisting largely of heavy bucks and ewes and practically no handyweight wethers, that market declined sharply and closed $1.50 to $2 below the opening.

Pork.—Conditions in the fresh-pork trade were generally unsettled. Sharp weekly fluctuations caused by erratic advances on Mondays, which could not be maintained through the week, were an outstanding feature of the month’s trade at some markets. Supplies of loins at eastern markets were practically the same as a year ago and consisted mostly of frozen or chilled stock, for which there was an uneven demand. The latter sold at a wide range of prices and unevenly $4 to $10 below corresponding averages of fresh loins. Closing prices at eastern markets were only slightly changed from the opening, some averages being 50¢ to $1 lower.

Conditions at Chicago, which has been the high market during the past two months, were materially changed and declines equaling the advances of late July were registered during the last half of September. From the high point of $32 on light average loins, prices had dropped to $26 at the close. Heavier average loins registered similar declines. Shoulder cuts were relatively more stable but were mostly $1 to $1.50 off at the close.

Cured pork and lard.—The domestic demand for cured pork cuts and lard, while fair for the season, was not of sufficient volume to offset the decline in live-stock markets and prices registered sharp declines. Dry salt meats and lard were in relatively better demand than hams, bacon, and picnics, and showed proportionately smaller declines. At the close wholesale prices of hams at Chicago were off $3 to $3.50, bacon $2 to $2.50, and picnics $1.50 to $2. The net decline on lard amounted to 75¢, dry salt backs 50¢ to 75¢, and dry salt bellies about $1. Reacting from the general upward trend of prices during August, compound lard markets were weak and closing prices were unevenly 75¢ to $1.50 under the opening.

STOCKER AND FEEDER SHIPMENTS.
Week ending Friday, Sept. 30.

Cattle
and
calves.		Hogs.Sheep.
Market origin:
Chicago11,838...41,892
East St. Louis6,7995511,289
Fort Worth3,097353177
Indianapolis1,675537262
Kansas City26,7282,42810,674
Oklahoma City2,504272...
Omaha21,578...54,992
St. Joseph3,6111458,148
St. Paul9,7452043,837
Sioux City11,4972,2235,651
Wichita2,605127...
Total101,6776,840126,922
Previous week93,5645,77080,524
Same week last year109,1428,795168,815
State destination:
Arkansas30146...
California364......
Georgia78......
Idaho2......
Illinois16,3941,01618,285
Indiana5,96653713,297
Iowa21,2522,56427,640
Kansas6,8235381,482
Kentucky715...1,671
Maryland162...656
Massachusetts24......
Michigan1,160...9,696
Minnesota1,8996423,931
Missouri13,76543115,310
Nebraska17,66656324,891
New Jersey19......
New York......884
Ohio4,1122164,607
Oklahoma3,571126...
Pennsylvania4,490......
South Dakota1,201...1,877
Tennessee26......
Texas1,19061177
Virginia25......
West Virginia56......
Wisconsin6871,8662,518
Total101,6776,840126,922

Iowa led all other States in the number of telephones on farms reported to the Census Bureau on Jan. 1. A total of 2,508,002 farms or 38.9% of all farms in the country, had telephones.