230 



Provision Trade in May. 



[JUNE, 



than usual on account of the cold backward spring, and in 

 consequence fodder makes were much below the average 

 quantity. Canadian advices report a poor condition of cattle, 

 brought about by the severe winter, and fewer milking cows 

 in the country, high price of feed having caused a large number 

 to be slaughtered. 



Stocks of last season's English cheese are generally reported 

 to be about the same as last year, with prices 8s. to zos. lower 

 for Cheddar. There was a larger quantity made, but the in- 

 creased supply has been consumed. 



Bacon. — The month's trading has been very unsatisfactory. 

 This has been chiefly caused by the increasing arrivals of Danish 

 bacon, which is having a very important influence on the 

 English and Irish bacon trade, as well as on the Canadian. 

 The prices in the West of England during last month for pigs 

 have averaged about is. per score less than during May of last 

 year, say, equivalent to ys. to 8s. per cwt. for prepared bacon. 

 Breeders say that it does not pay them to breed and fatten 

 at these prices, and judging by the immature pigs that are 

 now being delivered to the curers, they are getting rid of their 

 stocks. 



During May the arrivals of Danish bacon into London alone 

 exceeded the quantity in the same period last year by about 

 17,000 bales, a few of which would contain six sides and the 

 remainder four sides each. This increase forced the London 

 distributors to find fresh outlets for Danish bacon, and prices 

 ranged from gs. to 16s. below those current at the same time 

 last year. 



Pigs are still very dear in Canada, and on account of the 

 unprofitable prices realized in England for bacon, the Canadian 

 curers are killing only sufficient to keep their packing houses 

 open. Arrivals of American bacon have been moderate, but 

 importers are losing heavily on contracts made at the end of 

 last year for regular future monthly shipments. I know of 

 cases where merchants have had to accept prices for American 

 singed sides, showing them a loss of 12s. to 13s. per cwt. (say 

 i\d. per lb.) to effect sales. Hams have also been a very 

 dragging trade, influenced greatly by the cold weather. 



The stocks of American bacon in English cold stores are 

 considerably above the average for the time of year, and until 



