698 



CATTLE AND DAIET FARMING. 



28,000 head. Holland, also, like the two before-mentioned countries, received a blow in 

 1877, when the free import of their live-stock was also restricted, the exports from that 

 country, which in 1876, amounted to 86,000 head, being reduced in 1883 to only 40,000 

 head; but on the other hand the imports from Spain, Portugal, and Sweden have been 

 on the increase, and, as might be expected, it may be accepted as a rule that the exports 

 to England from all those countries enjoying the privilege of free imports have been on 

 the increase, while a considerable falling off ia to be noted from those which are placed 

 under the slaughter regulations at the port of import. Of the countries outside of Europe 

 it is seen that the exports from Canada* which first took its commencement in 1875 with 

 about 200 animals, in 1877 had already increased to 7, 000, that It has now attained the large 

 development of 50,000 head. From the United States, while the export to England in 

 1874 was also only about 200 head, these have likewise increased to a considerable extent, 

 as will be seen from the following tabular statement, viz : 



The annual imports of live-stock into Great Britain during the decade of 1874-1883 

 have been increased from 193,000 head to 367,000, of which the United States of Amer- 

 ica and Canadahave shipped about one-half and Denmark one-third. 



In the imports of sheep Germany and Holland occupy predominant positions, these 

 countries exporting annually from 200,000 to 300,000 to the English markets. The ex- 

 ports from Denmark have likewise been steadily on the increase, amounting in the past 

 year to 90,000 head. The sheep trade, in opposition to that of horned cattle, is found 

 to meet with most success at the Deptford market. 



Of the frpsh-mutton trade the imports for the past five years were as follows, viz: 



These figures afford a good indication, and account for the reduced prices of this article 

 of food. During the past year especially the sheep trade has been subject to great de- 

 pression, owing to the largely increased imports of frozen meat, and, unfortunately for 

 the sheep-owners in Europe, there is all prospect of those imports meeting with much 

 greater development in the near future. 



The importation of fresh and salt ox meat can date its commencement from the United 

 States of America in 1875, and from Canada in 1876, the exports from the latter country 

 in the year 1883 having reached up to 34,000 cwt. In 1875 the United States only ex- 

 ported 3,000 cwt., in 1877 these had already increased to the large amount of 443,000 

 cwt., and iu the subsequent years these have farther increased as follows, viz: In 1878, 

 with 483,000 cwt. ; iu 1879, with 559,000 cwt. ; in 1880, with 724,000 cwt. ; in 1881, with 

 747,000 cwt. ; in 1882, with 448,000 cwt., and in 1883, with 730,000 cwt. 



As will be observed from these tabulated returns a considerable decline is to be 

 noted in the exports from the United States in 1882, both oflivestockas well as slaughtered 

 meat, and it will thus appear that notwithstanding its large supplies, the United States 

 have not yet been able to bringdown prices, like as in the grain markets, to such a point 

 as to exclude from the markets their European competitors; but rather that the extent 

 of these exports is more dependent upon the condition of the home prices in our country. 

 Thus, for instance, from 1876 to 1879 — when a steady reduction in meat prices was felt 

 in the United States, especially for the first and second clags qualities, owing in a meas- 

 ure to the diminished home consumption consequent upon the unfavorable condition of 

 the working classes in the Ibregoiug years and due also to the introduction at that period 

 of the short-horn bull breed (or crossing purposes — a large increase' of meat products 

 both in regard to quality as well as quantity took place, which led to the rapid devel- 

 opment of the export trade in those years; and here it should not be omitted to mention 



