7 6 



The Live and Dead Meat Trade. [april, 



The month began badly. Supplies of turnip-fed tegs became heavier 

 as the roots were running short, and there was certainly no increase 

 in the demand. Fourteen markets reported the trade as worse in the 

 first week, but quotations were not actually lowered in more than 

 five. These were Hereford, Newcastle, Peterborough, Salford, and 

 York, at each of which first quality Downs receded %d. per lb. Clipped 

 sheep began to appear at a few markets, amongst which were Lincoln, 

 Hull, and Wakefield. The prices of these were from 5^. to 6d. per lb. 

 For Down tegs in the wool, only Derby, Dorchester, arid Salford 

 quoted as high as Sd. per lb., Basingstoke, Bristol, Leicester, and 

 Wolverhampton 7fd., many others *j\d., which was the most frequent 

 top price, while at Hereford and Norwich nothing exceeded yd* 



Fat lambs met a very quiet trade, the cold weather being much 

 against the demand for them. Dorset Horns and their crosses, if of 

 any size, were very unsaleable, but nice, small Downs from Hertford- 

 shire made io%d. per lb. at Islington. 



Although the general trade in sheep could not be said to show 

 much improvement, prices advanced to a small extent in several 

 markets during the second week. London was again well supplied 

 with a fine lot of Down tegs of various breeds, those showing the 

 character of the Oxford Down largely predominating. Trade was 

 very slow, and quotations could not be altered from those of the 

 previous week, although a very few small choice Downs slightly 

 exceeded the *j\d. per lb. recorded officially. A better trade was 

 reported at no less than fourteen markets, but only Basingstoke, 

 Dorchester, Leicester, Peterborough, and Wellington actually quoted 

 any advance. On the whole, there was doubtless a better feeling in 

 the trade, but, as with cattle, there were many sheep offered in low 

 condition, and this helped to keep down prices generally. Clipped 

 sheep fetched from $%d. to 6|d. per lb. 



A great effort was made in the London market on the 15th to 

 obtain some advance, which was only partially successful, for, although 

 about ^d. per lb. more money was realised for those sold, a very 

 large number were left unsold. It may be worth mentioning here 

 that when this happens on a Monday at Islington, the overplus is 

 not, as might be expected, kept over till the Thursday, but is sent 

 away to the nearest country markets, such as Romford, &c. During 

 the days that followed, one or two country markets reported a slight 

 rise, but the movements appeared to be spasmodic and local only. 



Perhaps London market on the 22nd may be said to have been 

 about the worst of the month, but the country trade of the fourth 

 week was better, the average price of first quality Downs at 

 nineteen of the leading markets working out at something like 

 \d. per lb. advance on the previous week. This tendency was 

 emphasised at the last Islington market on the 29th, when, with 

 about 1,000 less on offer, the market was cleared at quite \d. per lb. 

 advance, some butchers saying that their purchases had cost them 

 45. per head more money. 



There was a very fair demand for choice Down lambs at the end 

 of the month, this quality selling at an average of about nd. per lb. 



Veal Calves. — The demand has been steady throughout the month, 



