70 



Market Prices. 



[APRIL, 



with 7th March last year. The trade in English bacon in 

 London is of a retail character, but it was quoted in Bristol 

 at 70s. for dried and 64s. for green, against 48s. at the former 

 place for green Danish. Thus English bacon is shown to retain 

 a far superior place in the estimation of consumers. 



Second Week. — At this time of year Islington cattle market 

 shows very little variety of breeds, the supply being almost 

 entirely confined to Shorthorns, or cattle which are so described 

 as being crosses or grades of that breed. The quality of the 

 Norfolk fed bullocks is excellent owing to the first rate feeding 

 for which East Anglia is justly celebrated. For such quality 

 the trade in the second week of March was very firm, and 

 per lb. was easily obtainable in London, while at six other 

 English markets this was slightly exceeded. The week showed 

 a weaker demand for second quality animals. Fat sheep 

 were very firm, and prime small tegs were worth a little more 

 money in some markets, but 80-lb. sheep were slow of sale. 



There was scarcely any alteration in the prices of dead 

 meat at the Central Market, but complaints were numerous of 

 the slackness of demand. 



The butter trade showed more confidence, and a slight re- 

 covery in the value of Danish and colonial took place at 

 London and Glasgow. There was no quotable alteration in 

 cheese, end very little in bacon, although American was 

 slightly cheaper. 



Third Week. — The supplies of fat cattle were fairly good, 

 and prices were virtually unchanged ; 805 head were offered 

 in London, and 6%d. per lb. remained the top price. More than 

 double the above number were shown at Salford and Newcastle, 

 and Leeds, Norwich, Wakefield and Glasgow also exceeded the 

 London supply. The supply of sheep in London was 6,770, 

 which was the largest in Great Britain. Trade for mutton 

 was slow but firm, especially for the smaller breeds. Veal 

 calves were in good demand during the week, the best making 

 gd. per lb. dead- weight. 



Scotch and English beef at Smithfield fetched the same 

 price as the previous week, and prices all round showed scarcely 

 any change. 



Butter again showed weakness, and London prices receded 

 to the extent of 5s. per cwt. for Danish, 2s. for Australian, and 

 4s. for New Zealand, while French was 4s. up. Cheese was 



