73 



The Provision Trade in March. 



[APRIL, 



on the price rose to io|d., but large, heavy lambs were scarcely more 

 valuable than Scotch mutton. 



Veal. — There has been a steady trade for veal throughout the 

 month, but prices have been considerably lower in London than in 

 the large provincial markets. The finest quality has been selling in 

 London at l\d. per lb., small Dutch calves sometimes fetching rather 

 more. 



Pork. — The demand for pork was by no means brisk, the low 

 price of mutton having some effect on the trade. The best British 

 ordinary-sized carcases have averaged from 6d. to 6\d. per lb., but 

 there is always a very limited supply of small " dairy-fed " porkers 

 which fetch %d. per lb. more. They are, however, too few to take 

 into account when referring to the general trade. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN MARCH. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The demand throughout March was again disappointingly 

 slow, although it was slightly better than during the preceding month. 

 In spite of this fact, however, prices have in some cases advanced, 

 chiefly in consequence of smaller arrivals from the United States and 

 Canada. 



The writer has recently returned from a visit to the principal hog- 

 packing centres in both the United States and Canada, and from 

 information gathered and personal observation, he is of opinion that 

 the supplies will show a still larger falling off during the next few- 

 months. Of recent years the American public have been taught to 

 consume more hog products ; and at the present time, with beef and 

 mutton commanding high prices in that country, the consumption has 

 been still further increased, which naturally reduces the surplus for 

 export. Moreover, taking into consideration the freight charges to 

 England, packers are realising 45. to 6s. per cwt. over the prices that 

 can be obtained on the British markets. During March, 1908, prices 

 of hogs ranged from $4.20 to $4.90, until the last week of the month, 

 when they jumped to $5.70 and $6.10. During March of the present 

 year the range was from $6.20 to $7.15. 



In Canada the difficulty in obtaining hogs, and the consequent 

 high prices which breeders have been able to make, have had a very 

 serious effect on the packing industry there, some houses have already 

 closed down, while others are working half, and some even less, of 

 their capacity, it being useless for them to continue sending goods to 

 England, where the best prices obtained for some months past have 

 been considerably below the cost of production. This is brought 

 about chiefly by the keen competition of Danish. 



This shortage of pigs in Canada is generally reported to be caused 

 by the flourishing condition of the Canadian farmers. Cheese, butter, 

 and corn have realised high prices for several seasons, consequently 

 there is not the necessity to perform the unpleasant work necessary 

 in connection with pig-rearing. 



The conditions given above have brought about a good demand 

 for English and Irish bacon, and in the western counties curers have 

 paid jos., and, in some cases, above this figure, for bacon pigs, against 



