158 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



1853. 1863. 



Beeves 52,344 72,907 



Sheep and lambs 220,429 285,296- 



Calves 22,619 26,630 



Pigs 8,508 17,562 



It follows, therefore, that the increase in hcme-fed beasts in the ten years 

 was trifling in the extreme, and that there was a falling oft' in the supplies 

 of English sheep in 1863, compared with 1853. Here, it will be perceived, 

 the question assumes more than ordinary importance, because the progres- 

 sive nature of our home and foreign trade, and the increased power of pur- 

 chase and consumption must, at no distant date, tell seriously against the 

 consumers. Let us now see how prices have ranged in the tea years. In 

 1853 and 1863 they were as under, per stone of 8 lbs. net: 



1853. 1863. 



Beef, from 2s. 6d. to 5s. Od. 3s. 4d. to 5s 2d. 



Mutton. . . 2s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. 3s. 6d. to 6s. 2d. 



In the period here alluded to, then, inferior beef has advanced lOd., and all 

 kinds of mutton Is. to Is. 2d. per 8 lbs.; although, as I have shown, tlio 

 arrivals from abroad have continued to increase. If .we refer to 1842, and 

 to the ten years prior to that period, we shall find even a greater difference 

 in value. The best Scots were seldom worth more than 4s. to 4s. 2d., and 

 the best Downs 4s. 6d. to 4s. 8d. per 8 lbs. There is, therefore, a much 

 larger profit to the grazier without a correspondng increase iu the 

 supplies." 



I will now give the number of butcher's animals reported at the market 

 places in this city, which does not include some thousands of calves and 

 sheep, many cows, and a few beeves sold at the Hudson River market 

 boats and other places. Cows are included as butcher's animals because 

 they are nearly all fed for that purpose upon distillery swill. I have not 

 the figures for 1853, but here are the current returns of 



1854. 1863. 



Beeves 169,864 270,561 



Calves 68,584 35,709 



Sheep and lambs 555,479 519,316 



Swine 252,328 1,101,617 



Total 1,046,255 1,927,203 



The enormous excess of swine here do not enter into the city consump- 

 tion as fresh meat, but is packed, and much of it goes to feed the English, 

 who are unable to produce enough for themselves. Beside the live stock 

 received in both cities there is an enormous quantity of dead meat brought 

 in. We have no statistics of New York, but the article from which we 

 have taken our figures in regard to London, says: 



"In the two years ending with 1853, about 20,000 carcasses of beef, 

 and 200,000 carcasses of mutton, received from Scotland, were annually 

 disposed of in Newgate and Leadenhall. In the two years ending with 

 1863, the average number of the former received by railway and steam- 

 boats was 27,000; of the latter 300,000. It follow.s, therefore, that the 

 production of food in Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nor- 

 folk, Suffolk, Essex, and Scotland, has steadily increased during the last 



