190S.] 



Market Prices. 



149 



was advancing, and factors were predicting a much better trade 

 for the summer. 



Third Week. — The weather is always a very important 

 factor in all branches of the meat trade whether alive or dead, 

 and in many ways that which preceded and followed Easter 

 this year will be long remembered, not only for its discomforts 

 and the delay of vegetation in an already very backward season, 

 but also for its disturbing effect on the stock markets. There is 

 little doubt that with the single exception of beef all branches 

 of the trade have suffered from the unseasonable spell of wintry 

 weather. Islington market on Bank holiday was held as usual, 

 and was again much overs upplied for such an occasion. 

 Senders would do well to note that the usual buyers absent 

 themselves from business, on a general holiday, to a far greater 

 extent in London than in the country markets, and it is certain 

 that half the number of cattle and sheep exposed on Easter 

 Monday would have been ample for all requirements. For- 

 tunately for their clients, the salesmen, knowing the situation,, 

 held firmly to the fine quality cattle on offer, and preferred to 

 keep them over rather than sell at a reduction, so that the 

 values of the preceding week were maintained at 6f d. per lb. 

 as the top price. It was very different in the sheep 

 market, where there was great anxiety to sell, especially the 

 clipped tegs, of which there were about 2,000. These w T ere 

 heavily handicapped by the cold northerly wind which was 

 blowing with occasional heavy snowstorms, suggestive of 

 " chilled " carcasses and consequent loss to buyers. The result 

 was a nominal fall of \d. per lb. on the clipped sheep, while 

 larger concessions were really made to force sales. The highest 

 price of small Down tegs (clipped) was 5s. 4^. per 81b., but 

 those in the wool were much more firmly held, and maintained 

 former quotations up to 6s. as the top figure, clearly showing 

 that much of the depression arose from atmospheric causes. 

 Lambs were somewhat more easily disposed of at xod. to ix^d. 

 per lb. 



Allowing for its being holiday week the trade for good beef 

 cattle was very satisfactory in the country markets. At not a 

 few some advance was made, Darlington reporting the best 

 market since Christmas. In the rare cases where a slight 

 decline was recorded, the fall was attributed to the holidays. 



