56 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



magnificent sum of $175,042,730, and to all countries to $325,- 

 919,720. 



In the dead meat trade the largest returns are made from the Pro- 

 vince of Nova Scotia ; this may be due to shipments of dressed 

 beef and mutton being made in winter when carcases are frozen by 

 natural means, and are in a condition to bear a long railway journey 

 and several handlings with impunity, whilst the shipment of live 

 animals is confined to the warmer portions of the year when navi- 

 gation is open. 



The Dominion does not appear to have entered so largely into this 

 branch as the States, from which the supply has decreased consider- 

 ably in the last two or three years. It is affirmed by some authori- 

 ties that there was not a sufficiently large margin to encourage a 

 continuance, when Australian meat was being imported so sucess- 

 fully ; whilst others declare that home consumption has increased, 

 chiefly in the west and north-west through the large immigration of 

 the last two years, and consequently the demand was equalling the 

 supply. 



It may not be out of place to mention that in some British cities, 

 Canadian dairy produce is much belittled, whatever is good in butter 

 or cheese is called " American," and what is bad American is too 

 often called " Canadian !" One city can be named in which a depot 

 for Canadian produce was opened, and where 1 in one of the poorest 

 and lowest parts of the city ! " American" beef, mutton, butter 

 and cheese can be obtained at numerous places, while " Canadian" 

 is unknown. 



The present cattle trade was commenced in 1870, and had its 

 inception in this city. It was really an experiment. No one knew 

 anv thing of it. Shippers, ship-owners and harbor authorities were 

 all in ignoi-ance of the requirements of the trade. The first steamer 

 chartered could only carry 150 head of cattle, and now the same 

 ship carries 350. At the ports of debarkation no preparations had 

 been made. It was difficult for the Liverpool harbour authorities to 

 believe cattle could be brought across the ocean in large numbers 

 free from infection or dis'ease, when in spite of every care and 

 attention outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia and other diseases could not 

 be checked in Britain. 



In the earlier days of the trade heavy losses were incurred. The 



