720 



Provision Trade in November. 



[dec, 



Peterborough advancing ^d. As the Scotch markets were generally very 

 firm, we are justified in describing the beef trade as being rather better, 

 especially as second quality was relatively dear. Middling beasts have in 

 fact been making more money than at this time last year. 



Fat sheep again met with a very dull trade almost everywhere, especially 

 for heavy wethers and ewes. London, Dorchester and Wolverhampton, 

 however, quoted best quality Downs \d. per lb. higher, Derby declining to 

 the same extent. There was thus, practically, no change in the actual value 

 of sheep. There was, on the whole, a better demand for fat pigs and rather 

 higher prices were realised in many places. 



The improved tone in the country for fat cattle was reflected to some 

 extent at Smithfield dead-meat market. Scotch beef continued firm at 

 former values and English also was a fairly good trade, allowing for the 

 absence of any sides of really choice quality. Chilled recovered slightly, but 

 the trade in frozen was little more than nominal. Mutton, although still 

 depressed by the glut of Dutch carcases, was rather more saleable, and 

 choice small weights advanced \d. per lb. Veal was quiet but about 

 maintained values, while pork was very heavy to sell at a reduction of \d. 

 per lb. 



As regards the trade in Stores there has been a great contrast between 

 cattle and sheep. There has been everywhere an excellent demand for 

 strong forward cattle at fully last year's prices, but sheep have often been 

 almost unsaleable. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN NOVEMBER. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The past month has again been unsatisfactory both in regard to 

 quantity consumed and profits. Arrivals from Denmark bave been fairly 

 heavy, taking into consideration the slow trade, and as the mild weather 

 necessitated a quick sale for such goods, prices were generally in buyers' 

 favour, showing on the month a drop of from 3s 1 . to $s. per cwt. This 

 brought down the prices of other side meats including English, but not to 

 the same extent. Hogs in Canada are still scarce and high in price. 

 Packers of Canadian bacon cable that the prices realized for their goods in 

 England at the end of the month, show them a loss of from js. to 

 8s. per cwt. American bacon and hams show general reductions in prices 

 in England, and they are said to be below the cost of production. Hogs are 

 being marketed freely in America, but are below the average weight. There 

 has been a fair demand for English and Irish bacon, but Danish being 

 cheaper has proved a strong competitor. 



Cheese. — The demand has again been very disappointing, and, except in 

 a few cases, merchants have found it impossible to make even cost prices for 

 best selections. On account of the high range of prices, grocers are giving 

 more attention to under-priced lots, supplies of which are not large, and 

 consequently show less than the usual margin in price below best goods. 

 There has been on offer a larger quantity of inferior English cheese, which 

 in some districts is taking the place of the under-priced Canadian makes. 



Shipments from Montreal from 1st May to 18th November were 1,709,937 

 boxes, against 1,912,653 boxes for the same period in 1907, showing a 



