FRANCE. 



259 



miniature city. The details of the entire process, from the time that the 

 animal arrives in Paris until the product of meat reaches the consumer 

 and the remainder is utilized, although an interesting and profitable 

 study, scarcely comes within the scope of this article ; but I will give, 

 as calculated at Vilette, u the returns of the products of an ox of the 

 average weight of 350 kilograms (770 pounds) and of average quality: 



Returns of products. 



Francs. 



Hide, average weight 48 kilograms, at 1 franc 48.00 



Suet, 25 kilograms, at 92 centimes 23.00 



Refuse 18.00 



Total 89.00 



Expenses. 



Octroi, at 12 francs per 100 kilograms 42.00. 



Bringing from the market to the abattoir 35 



Washing of the tripes 40 



Labor . 6.00 



Sundry expenses (food, material, &c.) 5.00 



Total 53.75 



Balance 35.25 



Or about 10 francs per 100 kilograms. 



This proves that an ox bought in the market for 1.60 francs per kilo- 

 gram (per pound about 14 cents) costs in the abattoir 1.50 francs per 

 kilogram (per pound about 13 cents). 



The variation in the prices of hides and suet may more or less in- 

 fluence the price of the net meat, but the above figures demonstrate in 

 an exact and general way the returns of the products and the cost of the 

 labor and management. 



The return of net meat of the animals slaughtered in Paris varies ac- 

 cording to the age, the race, the kind of food, and the degree of fatness 

 they have reached. 



The returns at Paris are greater, as the journey rids the intestines of 

 excrement. 



The net returns from cattle from 3 to 5 years old is found to be pro- 

 portionally the best. The average return is, for cattle in ordinary con- 

 dition, from 50 to 55 per cent. ; half fattened, 55 to 60 per cent.; fat- 

 tened, 60 to 65 per cent. ; extra fattened, 65 to 70 per cent. 



Animals slaughtered in the abattoir general at Paris. 



The above figures, from an authentic source, give an idea of the im- 

 mense work done in this vast establishment. 



The number of animals slaughtered in the abattoirs of Greuelle and 

 Yillejuif during the year 1882 was : Oxen, 34,178 ; calves, 31,970 ; lambs, 

 203,843. 



