we 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



take advantage of dear market?, consequently tliiU they 

 would decline to increase the numerical strength of their 

 supplies; and we have no hesitation whatever in saying that- 

 combined with the importations from abroad, our markets 

 will be fairly supplied during the remainder of the year. 

 Still, all who have watched the progress of our trade, and 

 who fairly consider the great wants of our country, must be 

 perfectly satisfied that we shallcontinue to have high prices. 

 Everything, in point of fact — though there is no scarcity in 

 any quarter— tends in that direction. And here it is ne- 

 cesssary that we should allude to the enormous consumption 

 of foreign food— chiefly Dutch — which is still going on in 

 France. During the present year, ending on the 30th of 

 .Tune, the importations of live stock into France amounted 

 to 182,000 head, against 173,000 head in the corresponding 

 six months in 1856, and 174,000 in 1855 ; the exports in 

 the same periods were 34,000, 32,000, and 28,000 head re- 

 spectively. This movement may well excite great surprise 

 in this country, but the wonder is how such immense sup- 

 plies are obtained without producing great scarcity else- 

 where. Holland we find has contributed about one-third 

 of the supplies indicated, the remainder having been drawn 

 from Spain, and a few thousand head of sheep have been 

 imported into Marseilles from Algeria. The producing 

 powers of Spain and Holland are likely to be taxed to the 

 Utmost for a considerable period ; and whilst France con- 

 tinues a powerful competitor for stock, and whilst, conse- 

 quently, large supplies are diverted into other channels, 

 •which otherwise would have been forwarded to this countrj', 

 We cannot anticipate any large foreign aid or a great decline 

 in the quotations. 



The excitement on the subject of the cattle disease in some 

 parts of the Continent, and to which special attention has 

 been directed from time to time, appears to have subsided. 

 Fortunately, the disease does not appear to have increased, and 

 the latest accounts are reassuring. Evidently, however, some 

 severe losses have been sustained by the Prussian graziers. 

 Of late scarcely any diseased foreign stock has'beeu imported 

 into this country, arising, no doubt, from the severe, but 

 necessary, precautions on the part of our authorities, to whom 

 much credit is due for the vigilance they have exercised in 

 inspection. 



In our leading grazing districts the health of the stock con- 

 tinues good : there has been a good hay crop, but a very 

 moderate amount of pasture food. This latter circumstance 

 is much to be regretted, because the graziers' expenses increase 

 rapidly upon them during the period of a deficient supply of 

 grass, and the inroads made upon the stock of new hay are 

 productive of great inconvenience during the winter months. 

 Apparently, the whole country stands much in need of 

 moisture ; even the quantity of grain would be considerably 

 increased by copious showers, if not of too long continuance. 



The Norfolk season for beasts is now just concluding ; still 

 we learn that numbers left in that county are larger than 

 usual. The London market has been extensively supplied 

 from that county for the time of year, in full average con- 

 dition ; and, on the whole, we are of opinion that the past six 

 months have proved highly profitable to the graziers, and 

 more especially to the breeders. It is too early to form au 

 opinion of the numerical strength or the condition of the 

 stock to be derived from Lincolnshire and the adjacent 

 counties from this time till the close of the year. As yet, 

 however, the beasts have come forward in but middling con- 

 dition ; and our information geaerally is to the eSect that 

 future supplies will not be over-abundant, although uo scarcity 



ia liioteJ at. Unless we have large supplies of rain during the 

 coming month, it is more than probable that the turnip crop 

 will be a very poor one this season. 



The following figures show the extent of the imports of 

 foreign stock into London during the past month : — 



Beasts 2,787 head. 



Sheep 16,001 „ 



Lambs 3,216 „ 



Calves 2,877 „ 



Pigs 2,077 „ 



Total 26,958 „ 



Supplies at Corresponding Seasons. 

 In July, 1857, we received 3,151 beasts, 16,910 sheep, 

 3,415 lambs, 3,858 calves, and 2,603 pigs, or a total supply 

 amounting to 30,537 head. In 1855, the arrival was 22,680 ; 

 in 1854, 22,242; in 1853, 38,795; in 1852, 27,008; and in 

 1851, 24,082 head. Thus it will be seen that, of late, we 

 have drawn fair supplies from the Continent. 



In the Metropolitan Market the total supplies of stock 

 shown have been : — 



Beasts 1 9,558 head. 



Cows 530 „ 



Sheep and lambs 142,280 „ 



Calves .3,830 „ 



Pigs 2,395 „ 



These are fair receipts, as will be seen by the annexed : 



Comparison of Supplies. 



July, 1856. July, 1855. July, 1854. 



Beasts 18,589 .. 16,702 .. 19,740 



Cows 500 .. 535 ,. 540 



Sheeps and lambs 135,650 ,. 149,470 .. 157,970 



Calves 3,407 .. 2,757 .. 4,123 



Pigs 3,225 .. 4,000 .. 3,110 



About 7,000 beasts have been derived from Norfolk, Suffolk, 

 Esses, and Cambridgeshire, against about half or less than 

 half that number in 1856. Lincolnshire and Leicestershire 

 have furnished about 3,000 shorthorns, other parts of England 

 2,250 of various breeds. The receipts from Scotland have 

 been only 71 Scots ; from Ireland 11 oxen. 



During the first fortnight of the month the trade generally 

 in the Metropolitan Cattle Market, owing to the pressure of 

 supply and the intense heat of the weather, was heavy in the 

 extreme, and prices gave way to some extent. The demand 

 has since improved, and the quotations have ruled somewhat 

 firmer. 



Newgate and Leadenhall have been seasonably well supplied 

 with meat, and the trade has ruled somewhat heavy. Prices 

 have fluctuated much to the same extent as in the cattle 

 market. 



AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, 



FAIRS, &c. 



BEDALE FORTNIGHT FAIR.— We had a fair supply of 

 all descriptions of beasts and sheep, which had better demand 

 than last market ; but rates were unaltered. Beef 7s. to Ss. 

 per stone, mutton 6d. to 7d. per lb. 



BEWDLEY FAIR.— There was a good stock of sheep, 

 and an average of cattle. Prices were giving way. B eef did 

 not fetch more than 7d., some being sold for less. The ave- 

 rage price of muttou was also 7d., prime scarcely re- 

 alizing 7id. Lamb sold for 8d. There was little business 

 transacted, sellers not liking the reduction, and buyers being 

 disinclined to give more. 



