pork supplies, which is expected to offset the increase supply of beef. The most interesting part of the De partment report was that which dealt with the housewife’s share of the blame for high meat prices, which have prevailed despite declines in live cattle prices. The Depart ment partially backed industry charges that the average housewife bought more expen sive cuts of meat than in former years, thus helping to hold prices up. In spite of this trend, a further “soften ing" in retail beef prices was predicted in the coming months.

73.4%