178 



MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



Table II compares Chicago prices on No. i corn-fed native steers 

 and Columbia prices on No. 3 native heifers. As will be noted by the 

 inspection of the table, the cheaper cuts bring better prices in Columbia 

 than in Chicago, while the higher-priced parts bring more in the cit}' 

 It should be borne in mind, however, that these prices are on very 

 different grades of beef. Considering, however, that both are on the 

 same grade of beef, we find that the Chicago butcher does business with 

 prime steers on a margin of 30 per cent, while the Columbia butcher 

 could do business with the same grade of beef at current prices on a 

 margin of 27 per cent. Expenses of operating should be considerable 

 higher in the city than in Columbia. 



Table III. 

 PRICE OF EDIBLE MEAT IN PRINCIPAL OUTS. 



Table III compares the cost per pound of edible meat from the 

 more important parts of the carcass ; due allowance being made for the 

 inedible refuse purchased. The edible portion of the round steak costs 

 in Columbia 13.7 per pound. The edible portion of the rib costs two 

 cents per pound in excess of this amount, while the edible part of the 

 loin costs 173/2 cents per pound, figuring the whole loin as it comes 

 from the shop at 15 cents i>er pound. Chuck is cheaper tlian any of 

 the other cuts in the back and yields edible meat at a lower price 

 per pound than any other portions, mentioned except the brisket, 

 flank, neck and plate ; all of which, except the best part of the hind flank, 

 being distinctively of a low grade as regards palatability and ease of prep- 

 aration. The more tender and palatable portions of the carcass and 

 those which can be prepared for the table with the least effort are the 

 ones for which competition forces us to pay the highest prices per 

 pound. As a local butclier expressed it to me, "The kind of meat you 

 people want to buy is the kind you can have ready for the table at 12:30 

 after you have stayed down town till 12:00 o'clock." 



The writer once boarded with a German family in Minnesota, in 



