HOGS.—­During the past week they formed a strong combination to break the market, all the 20 packing houses doing business here agreeing to buy only a stipulated number of hogs each day.  The plan worked as was anticipated, and although the receipts for the week dropped to 89,000 against 187,470 during the previous week, there was a steady decline from day to day.  Shippers were good buyers, taking on an average 5,500 hogs daily, but city packers bought only about 11,000 or 12,000, leaving at times upwards of 28,000 or 30,000 unsold at the close of the day.  Choice hogs declined only moderately, but other descriptions were very weak.  Up to date there have been packed in the West this season about 100,000 head more than to same time last year.  The market closed on Saturday at $4 65@5 90 for heavy; $4 60@5 30 for light, and $3 25@4 60 for skips and culls.

Note.—­All sales of hogs are made subject to a shrinkage of 40 lbs for piggy sows and 80 lbs for stags.  Dead hogs sell for 1-1/2c per lb for weights of 200 and over and [Transcriber’s Note:  blank in original] for weights of less than 100 lbs.

SHEEP.—­The demand has been brisk and prices for good lots advanced fully 25c per cwt.  The receipts have fallen off greatly.  Sales were made of common to choice at $2 50@4 65.  No fancy droves were received, and they were nominal at $4 75@5.

* * * * *

COMMISSION MERCHANTS.

J.H.  WHITE & CO.,
PRODUCE COMMISSION

106 S. Water St., Chicago.

Refers to this paper.

MISCELLANEOUS.

GOLD MEDAL, PARIS, 1878.

[Illustration]

BAKER’S
BREAKFAST COCOA.

Warranted absolutely pure Cocoa, from which the excess of Oil has been removed.  It has three times the strength of Cocoa mixed with Starch, Arrowroot or Sugar, and is therefore far more economical.  It is delicious, nourishing, strengthening, easily digested, and admirably adapted for invalids as well as for persons in health.

SOLD BY GROCERS EVERYWHERE.

W. BAKER & CO., Dorchester, Mass.

CHEAP FARMS.

NEAR MARKETS.

The State of Michigan has more than 4,500 miles of railroad and 1,600 miles of Lake transportation, schools and churches in every county, public buildings all paid for, and no debt.  Its soil and climate combine to produce large crops, and it is the best fruit State in the Northwest.  Several million acres of unoccupied and fertile lands are yet in the market at low prices.  The State has issued a NEW PAMPHLET containing a map and descriptions of the soil, crops and general resources of every county in the State, which may be had free of charge by writing to the

COMM’R OF IMMIGRATION, Detroit.  Mich.

MONEY TO LOAN TO FARMERS