1909.] The Live and Dead Meat Trade. 



885 



generally been so in the past, but this year proved a remarkable 

 exception, for the year opened with a poorer demand and lower prices 

 than ever. At Islington, on the 4th, there were 5,090 sheep, which 

 was quite a moderate number, chiefly composed of good sorted 

 animals of medium weights. The top price of Sd. per lb. was only 

 realised by a few pens of very small tegs, and the price of those 

 weighing 72 lb. and over declined a farthing per lb. from the last day 

 of the old year, choice Downs selling at Sd. and ewes at $d. per lb. 

 The same prices were current on the nth, but on the 18th, with a 

 supply of 6,050, the demand was too weak to clear the market, and 

 prices declined by. a full \d. per lb. for the first quality. 



There was very slight alteration in the country markets the first 

 week, and Sd. per lb. for best Downs was quoted at three, while 

 at Derby it was S^d., and at Dorchester, for Southdowns, 8£d. was 

 reported. In the second week the trade generally was worse, and a 

 decided fall took place in several places, the lowest quotation being 6fd. 

 at Shrewsbury and Wellington. In the third week there was a slight 

 rally at Leicester, Shrewsbury, and Wellington, but such improvement 

 in the tone as was shown at these markets was far more than counter- 

 balanced at other places. At the last January market at Islington, on 

 the 25th, with nearly 6,000 sheep on offer, there was again a very weak 

 demand, although it would be difficult to find a better lot for quality. 

 On such exceptional occasions, and in a market situated like that of 

 Islington, where sales are almost imperative at some price, the quota- 

 tions often fail to give an adequate idea, of the situation. One salesman 

 on the day in question was heard by the writer to say he would take 6d. 

 per lb., dead-weight, for a fine lot of half-bred tegs weighing about 

 80 lb., if he could obtain the offer, rather than hold them over. The 

 finest small Hampshires barely realised J^d., and large numbers of 

 Oxfordshire and Norfolk. Downs of 72 lb. were sold at yd. per lb., while 

 ewes were said to have fetched as little as qd. A few West Country 

 lambs- were sent to the London market during the month, but they met 

 with such little encouragement that there were none offering on this 

 last day. Those half-bred Dorsets which have arrived have had to 

 be sold at 8|'d. per lb. It is reported that the root crop in the West 

 of England is disappearing rapidly, and that shortness of keep is 

 forcing many tegs on the market, thus keeping up the appearance of 

 larger supplies than are really available. 



Fat Pigs. — During the "first week there was a firm trade for fat 

 pigs, with a tendency to higher prices. This continued through the 

 following two weeks, in spite of a rather plentiful supply. Bacon pigs 

 of neat size have been fetching Ss. qd. to 95. per score, and porkers 95. 

 to 95. 6d. 



Veal Calves.- — There were very few veal calves on offer at tne 

 beginning of the month, especially in London, but later on there was 

 a better supply for a time of year when veal is considered out of season. 

 In several country markets calves have been dear, and have fetched 

 from Sd. to S^d., and, in a few cases, gd. per lb. 



Carcase Beef. — With some fluctuations in values, the trade for all 

 the best qualities of beef in the London market has been satisfactory. 

 Scotch and English, as well as port killed, sold at high rates during 

 the first week, starting at y\d. to y\d. per lb. for short, and to 

 6|d. for long Scotch sides, English at 6d. to 6§d., and port killed 



