350 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING 

 THE PAST .AIONTII. 



Full average time-of-yoai* supplies of fat stock have beeu 

 on sale in nearly the whole of the leading markets during 

 the month juit concluded, but their general qualitj- has proved 

 very inferior, and this observation applies more particularly 

 to the importations from the continent. At no period since 

 the passing of tlie present tariff have we witnessed such 

 inferior cattl? from abroad as during the last three weeks. 

 The want of food in Holstein and in other parts of the con- 

 tinent has compelled the graziers, notwithstanding that they 

 have imported large quantities of hay from this country— 

 nearly, or quite, 100 tons having been shipped from London 

 alone in each week— to dispose of their stock at almost any 

 sacrifice and at almost any age. This will be obvious when 

 we state that the average value per head of the beasts im- 

 ported since we last wrote has not been more than £8 ; 

 whilst we have seen large numbers sold at and considerably 

 under £o each ! This wholesale destruction of stock must, 

 we thiLk, greatly reduce the exports next year ; indeed, if 

 it progresses at its present rate for another month or so, it is 

 more than probable that very little stock will remain in the 

 North of Europe for home consumption. Even in this coun- 

 try, but more especially in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire, 

 ia consequence of an inadequate fall of rain— it being fully 

 seven inches less for the whole country than in 1857 — great 

 complaints of the want of a sufficiency of cattle food have 

 been made ; heuce, both beasts and sheep have appeared in 

 comparatively poor condition. This falling-ofT in quality 

 has had the effect of keeping the value of prime stock rela- 

 tively high, and of producing a great margin of difference — 

 as much as two shillings per eight pounds — between the highest 

 and lowest quotations. The deficiency of food is likely to 

 be felt here for several months, and it will no doubt compel 

 the graziers and flockmasters to use a much larger quantity 

 of linseed and rape-cake than in the ordinary run of years. 

 It is, however, gratifying to be enabled to state that the 

 health of the stock generally has been satisfactory, and that 

 very few losses have been sustained in any of our more im- 

 portant districts. 



In the Metropolitan Market the trade has been quite as 

 active as could be anticipated, even though rather large 

 supplies of beasts (3,260 head) have been received from 

 Ireland, in what may be termed good condition. Ireland is 

 now becoming an important producing country for the Lon- 

 don market, and we have seen unmistakable signs of a 

 very great improvement in the shape and condition of the 

 sheep which have from time to time reached us. But Ire- 

 land may do even greater things. She has sent us during 

 the month over 4,000 sheep, some of which have found 

 buyers at 568. per head, and we uuderstand that they have 

 carried a large quantity of internal fat. 



The lamb trade has been fairly closed ; but, compared 

 with some former seasons, the prices realized during the 

 present year have not been to say hijjh. 



The annexed figures show the extent of the importations 

 of foreign stock into London during the month. 



Beasts 5,990 head. 



Sheep 25,488 „ 



Lambs 717 „ 



Calves 2,733 „ 



Pigs 2,472 „ 



CO.MPARISON OF IMPORTS. 



Sept. Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs. 



18.52 6,619 34,759 1,132 2,388 1,847 



18.53 8,372 28,845 273 2,535 1,493 



18.54 7,805 26,230 748 1,894 2,281 



1855 7,1GI 1:2,744 613 1,646 2,266 



1856 7,084 20,605 3,000 2,772 1,559 



1857 7.346 24,090 198 1,953 2,007 



The above comparison shows that we imported a fair ave- 

 rage supply of stock last month ; but had food been more 

 abundant abroad, the numbers would no doubt have been 

 consiJerably less. Apparently we shall have prices very 

 high during tlie greater portion of 1859. 



The total supplies exhibited in the Great Metropolitan 

 Market have been as under : — 



Beasts 27,446 head. 



Cows 533 „ 



Sheep 131,150 „ 



Calves 3,210 „ 



Pigs 4,281 „ 



Of the above supplies of beasts, 12,770 shorthorns came 

 to hand from LmcoJnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamp- 

 tonshire, 2,650 various breeds from other parts of England, 

 199 Scots from Scotland, and 3,260 oxen, &c., from Ireland. 



Comparison of Supplies. 



Sept. Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 



Um 24,911 490 148,680 2,9.34 2,980 



1853 27,063 518 1.57,750 3.037 3,170 



18.54 24,796 542 174,171 2,760 3.465 



18.55 24,667 540 152,120 2,477 3.921 



1856 24,002 485 1,32,014 2,452 2,800 



1857 25,734 532 127,715 2,220 2,585 



Beef has sold at from 23. lOd. to 5s. ; Mutton, 3a. to 5s. ; 

 Veal, 3s. 8d. to 5s.; Pork, Ss. to 4s. 6d, per Bibs, to sink 

 the offal. 



Comparison of Prices. 



Sept., 1857. Sept, 1856. 



s. d. s d. s. d. s. d. 



Beef, from 3 2 to 5 3 to 4 IQ 



Mutton 3 4 — 5 6 3 8 — 5 2 



Veal 3 4 — 5 2 3 8 — 410 



Pork 4 0—5 2 3 6 — 4 8 



Sept., 1855. Sept., 1954. 



s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 



Beef, from 3 4 to 5 3 to 5 



Mutton 3 4 — 50 30 — 50 



Veal 3 10 — 5 2 -J 10 — 4 4 



Pork 36 — 46 34 — 48 



Newgate and Leadenhall markets have been well sup- 

 plied with meat. Prime qualities have sold steadily at full 

 prices, but inferior kinds have met a dull inquiry. Beef, 

 from 2s. 8J. to 4s. 4d. ; Mutton, Ss. to 4s. 8d. ; Veal, 3c 

 6d. to 4s. 6d. ; Pork, 3s. to 4s. 8d. per 81bs. by the carcass. 



The manufacturing industry of the country, both home 

 and foreign, having at length fully recovered from the last 

 panic, we ma}' now look forward to an increase in the con- 

 sumption of meat, particularly as the operatives are mostly 

 in full employment. When, therefore, the importations 

 from the continent become less extensive, we shall no doubt 

 sec inferior stock assume a higher range of value. 



ISLE OF ELY. 

 We »re now enjoying a very fine close to the summer ; the 

 weather is mild, aud generally fair, and all field operations are 

 proceeding most satisfactorily. We never remember to have 

 seeu ao much autumn cultivation as wc have wituesscd this 

 year, cad the seasou has been unuiually favourable for it. 



