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XVIII. — Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat for Consumption 

 in the Metropolis. By EoBERT Heebert. 



In the first six months of the present year, notwithstanding a 

 deficiency in the importations of foreign stock, compared with the 

 corresponding period in 1866, the great metropolitan cattle- 

 market was fairly, though not to say heavily, supplied with beasts 

 in greatly improved condition as far as regards English arrivals. 

 The Scotch supplies were remarkably prime ; but the few Irish 

 beasts brought forward were scarcely of average weight. On 

 the whole, the trade ruled stead}^, and prices were supported. The 

 general value of Scots and crosses ranged from 5^. to bs. 4c?. per 

 8 lbs. The Norfolk " season " closed remarkably well ; whilst 

 Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire are now 

 forwarding some very good stock, and in full average number. 

 In 1866, the best Scots were at one time worth as much as 

 6s. 4:d. per 8 lbs., the fall being equal to IM. per lb. This 

 decline, however, may be attributed to the restrictive measures 

 still in force in reference to the removal of beasts from London 

 for consumption in the country. Formerly from 500 to 600 

 prime beasts were frequently thus disposed of. Whilst the im- 

 ports of live stock from the continent have fallen off, we have 

 had very large quantities of foreign, chiefly Dutch, meat on 

 offer in Newgate and Leadenhall, from which markets country 

 buyers have been partly supplied. The supply of meat actually' 

 imported in the period under review was very little short of 

 150,000 tons. A large portion of it has arrived in fair saleable 

 condition ; but the prices realised have been comparatively low. 

 We understand that the importations during the winter months 

 will be on a very extensive scale, as there is a growing demand 

 for offal in most of the continental cities. The same may be 

 said of Scotland and most of our own districts, in which wool 

 and skins are selling at higher prices than in the metropolis. 

 As we are now gradually recovering from the effects of the cattle 

 disease, and as stock is still very abundant in Holland and 

 Germany, Ave may safely anticipate a moderate range in the 

 value of animal food for several months. Some very good beasts 

 have been received from France, but that country has very little 

 to spare for us compared with Holland, Belgium, and Germany. 

 The exertions made to improve the breed of sheep in Holland 

 and Germany by means of crossing have been attended with 

 considerable success ; still much has yet to be done to secure 

 high prices in this country. 



The total number of sheep brought forward has not been quite 

 equal to that of last year, but the condition of most English 



