Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat, and Wool. 355 



In the six months, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambrido;eshire 

 furnished 7,710 head of beasts less than in 1864. The falling off 

 fi-om other parts of England amounted to 2,410, but from 

 Scotland there was an increase equal to 1,879 head. The receipts 

 from Ireland showed a deficiency of 223 head. The Scotch 

 bullocks have made their appearance in wonderfully fine con- 

 dition ; indeed, in many instances the buyers have described 

 them as "too good." The Irish beasts, on the contrary, have not 

 exhibited the slightest improvement in quality. A few well 

 made-up beasts have arrived from Holland and France, as 

 well as from Prussia, but the actual weight of meat has been 

 small in comparison with the large numbers of stock imported. 

 The result is that even increased importations have had very 

 little influence upon prices, and our impression is that even much 

 larger arrivals from the continent would not prevent a further 

 advance. 



Notwithstanding that our 114,000 head were derived from 

 abroad, the supplies of sheep during the six months were very 

 moderate, viz., 614,766 head, against 622,330 in the corre- 

 sponding period in 1864. If we deduct the foreign supplies, the 

 actual quantity of English sheep disposed of did not exceed 

 500,630 head. In other words, the deficiency in the arrivals 

 from our own districts is equal to nearly 500,000 per annum ! 

 Need we feel surprised, then, that prices have ruled very high, 

 or that the flockmasters are holding back a portion of their 

 supplies to consume the immense growth of turnips, swedes, &c. 

 In many parts of the country more turnips will be grown this 

 year than can possibly be consumed. 



Prime sheep, from their great scarcity, have sold briskly from 

 C)s. to 65. 6(/. per 8 lbs. In numerous instances, even much 

 higher currencies have been realised by the salesmen. Inferior 

 breeds have risen considerably in price, and even the German 

 sheep have sold at from 22s. to 44.<;. each. The foreign sheep, 

 as a whole, have shown very little improvement in quality. 



There has been a moderate, but by no means active, inquiry 

 for lambs. In the early part of the season, the best lambs sold at 

 8.9,, but at the close of June the rates ranged from Qs. to Is. 4d. 

 per 8 lbs. As regards quality the season may be considered a 

 favourable one. 



Scarcely any English calves have been brought forward, but 

 nearly 10,000, received chiefly from Holland, have been exhibited 

 in good condition. The veal trade was steady, at rates varying 

 from 4^, 2d. to 5^, 4f/. per 8 lbs. The foreign calves continue 

 great favourites with the butchers, as they " die " remarkably 

 well. 



Pigs have sold somewhat freely, at steady rates, although 



