886 The Live and Dead Meat Trade. [feb., 



at 5f<2. to 6|d., against ^\d. to 4fd. for the average of fore and hind 

 quarters of American chilled. As such a large proportion of our 

 supplies of carcase beef comes from Argentina, it becomes important 

 to notice the difference in its quality from that of States chilled. This 

 is always very considerable, if we may judge by their relative values 

 in the London market. During the week in question Argentine chilled 

 was only worth 3§ d. to 3fd. per lb. for the whole carcase. Frozen beef 

 varies very little in price, and is hardly influenced by the fluctuations 

 in other classes, or at most to a very small extent. Contemporarily 

 with the above quotations, New Zealand frozen beef was fetching an 

 average of 3|d. per lb., or nearly as much as Argentine chilled. There 

 was a fall in the value of British beef in the second week of about \d. 

 per lb., but imported was firm all round. In the third week English 

 further declined §d., and port killed gave way about \d> On the other 

 hand, chilled, both from the States and Argentina, was in short supply, 

 and prices advanced from \d. to \d. per lb. Some interest was 

 created by the arrival of some fine sides from Dublin, whence it is 

 proposed to send carcase beef as an experiment. This consignment 

 was of good quality, but, being rather large four-year-old bullocks, 

 they did not make quite the top quotation, fetching, however, $\d. 

 per lb. The month closed with a firm trade, with very slight alteration 

 in prices, chilled beef being still scarce and relatively dear. 



Carcase Mutton. — The leading feature of the mutton trade was the 

 cessation of the Dutch supplies. Their place, however, has been fully 

 taken by very heavy consignments from Scotland. The Scotch sheep 

 have been held back to a very great extent, but, the root crop running 

 short, they have had to be sent forward during January in unusually 

 large numbers. The trade was moderately firm the first week, with 

 Scotch and English fetching 6\d. per lb., but prices declined later, and 

 finished at about the lowest point yet touched, prime small Scotch tegs 

 not exceeding 6\d., and fine English 6d. per lb., while large numbers 

 of good Scotch sheep, weighing about 72 lb., were sold as low as 

 $%d. Early lambs were also much neglected, with the best at about 

 lod. per lb. 



Store Stock.— There has been a very good demand for forward store 

 cattle, and it is estimated that they are fetching from 10s. to 155. per 

 head more than last year at the same period. When sales have been 

 slow, it has' been owing to the high prices demanded, and a good 

 spring trade is generally expected. Good two-year-old Shorthorns 

 easily made from £14 to ^15 per head, and yearlings about £10. 

 Long prices have also been given for weaning calves, as much as 

 505. to 60s. each being realised at several markets. Dairy cows have 

 also fully maintained their value. There has been no improvement in 

 the demand for store sheep. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN JANUARY. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The year opened with a very much improved demand for 

 both bacon and hams, buyers apparently realising that prices for all 

 cuts of American were low. According to advices received from the 

 United States, they appeared to be below the cost of production. About 

 the third week of the month, prices generally hardened, and a fair 



