3 o8 



Market Prices. 



[JULY, 



upward movement in values, and yet the average of the best chilled hind 

 and fore quarters, that is the whole side, was only y. 6\d. per 8 lb., or 

 about t>\d. per lb. London was clearly ahead of all other markets in value 

 of British and port killed beef during the second week of June. There was 

 an advance of \d. per lb. in Scotch mutton and \d. in English, other markets 

 bearing about the same proportion as to relative prices. Lamb was un- 

 changed at London, dearer at Manchester and Liverpool, and cheaper in the 

 Scotch markets. Veal recovered slightly at London, but was lower at the 

 country markets, while pork was very dull. 



Third Week. — Fat cattle were again in sharp demand at Islington on 

 the third Monday, and the 870 on offer were quickly cleared off at a further 

 advance of \d. per lb. The general quotation was y\d. per lb. for the best 

 quality Norfolk cattle, but many buyers insisted that their purchases would 

 cost them more when slaughtered and weighed, which, of course, often 

 happens. The highest price by live weight was 42s. lod. per cwt. Very 

 nearly all the English markets and the whole of the principal ones in 

 Scotland held during the week recorded a rise. It is usual, just at 

 this season, when stall and yard-fed cattle are getting into small 

 compass and grass-fed beasts are barely ready, for trade to be somewhat 

 better, but it had become evident by the middle of the month that from 

 some outside cause, home grown beef was in better demand and realizing 

 higher prices than for many years. There is no reasonable doubt that many 

 choice cattle were sold at Sd. per lb. No fewer than five of the principal 

 markets reported Shorthorns at 7^d., and of course Devons and Polled Scots 

 made rather higher prices. Any serious advance in the value of one im- 

 portant class of meat must have some effect on all if continued for any 

 length of time, and when we carefully examine the sheep markets we see 

 that there was more life in the trade than for some time past. Sheep on the 

 15th were a quiet trade at Islington, but prices, though nominally unchanged, 

 were firm, and former rates were more easily obtained. This was generally 

 the case throughout the country, and at fifteen markets, six of which were 

 Scotch, an advance was established. Only two were lo wer and the remainder 

 firm. One feature at Islington was the first appearance for the season of 

 Kentish Long wools, of which there was rather a large consignment. They 

 were much too heavy for the first-class London trade, but were saleable at 

 about yd. per lb. Lambs were a steady trade at nd. per lb. for the best 

 small weights, but at three markets in Scotland ij-. was freely paid. 



The dead-meat trade of the week presented several noteworthy features. 

 American chilled advanced \d. per lb. on the Wednesday, and on 

 Friday there was a further upward movement in all fresh-killed beef. 

 More significant, perhaps, was that frozen beef at last began to advance, 

 being dearer by %d. on Wednesday, bringing best hind quarters to 

 4d. per lb. and fore-quarters to 3d. In the country markets American 

 chilled beef was dearer than in London, but port -killed was decidedly the 

 reverse. Mutton was rather lower for Scotch and English, but frozen was 

 unchanged and still very cheap. Best English was nearly 4s. per cwt. 

 higher in Liverpool and some other northern markets than in London. 

 There was rather a heavy fall in lamb at the Central Market, the best 

 fetching only g\d. per lb. 



Fourth Week. — The fourth week opened with a much quieter market at 

 Islington on the 22nd. There was a larger supply of cattle by about 200, 

 amongst which were some very good grass-fed Lincoln Red Shorthorns. It 



