The closing top at Chicago was $8.30 with the average cost that day $7.06. The average cost of packing and shipping droves for the week at that point was $7.25, with the average weight at 259 lbs., the lightest since the week ending Aug. 6. The closing top at East St. Louis was $8.35, at Kansas City $7.65, at Omaha $7.75, and at St. Paul $7.60. SHEEP AND LAMB TRADE IMPROVED. _Sheep._--Considering supplies, which at leading western markets were the heaviest of the year, sheep and lamb trade during the final week of September showed some improvement. Receipts at Chicago were larger than during any previous week since 1919 and range lambs, carrying the largest proportion of feeders of the season, were greatly in the majority. In the fat classes, supply and demand were evenly balanced and as the feeder outlet developed considerable breadth, closing prices on all classes were practically steady with the close of the week previous. Sheep were generally steady at all points except Kansas City, where prices worked 25¢ to 50¢ higher on fat classes. Fat lambs closed lower for the week at Omaha and higher at East St. Louis but were little changed elsewhere. Feeder classes sold steady to somewhat higher at all points. The range movement started early this summer and the early season output of feeders was small. _Opening, Oct. 3._--Beef steers were strong to 25¢ higher at Chicago with desirable corn-feds gaining most. River markets were generally steady to strong on corn-feds and slow to lower on grassers. The week opened with a big run of 35,000 cattle at Kansas City. Chicago’s receipts at 20,000 cattle were well below expectations and the supply of good corn-fed cattle showed a marked decrease. Top yearlings reached $11.15 at Chicago, the highest point reached since early in January and within 10¢ of the top for the year on yearlings. With receipts moderate, hog prices were generally strong to 15¢ higher. East St. Louis reported a 15¢ to 25¢ advance with top hogs at $8.55. At Chicago the top was $8.45 and at Omaha $8, at Kansas City $7.90 and at St. Paul $7.50. Fat sheep and lambs opened generally steady to 25¢ higher. Western fat lambs topped at $9 at Chicago, $8.50 at Omaha, and $8.40 at Kansas City. Fat natives reached $8.50 at Chicago. The fat ewe top was $4.75 at Chicago, $4.50 at East St. Louis, and $4.25 at Omaha. Best feeder lambs brought $7.25 at Chicago on a firm market and $7 at Omaha. =LIVE STOCK PRICES, TUESDAY, OCT. 4.= [Per 100 lbs.]