166 The Provision Trade in April. [may, 



was rather slow to respond to the advance in live sheep, but, still, values 

 were maintained at the highest rates of the preceding - month. Later 

 on, however, a steady upward movement set in, especially in connection 

 with small Scotch tegs, the value of which rose at the close of the 

 month to *j\d. per lb., while good wethers became worth 6f<2. The total 

 advance in English tegs was \d. per lb., and these left off at 6\d. per lb. 

 Frozen mutton was very cheap in London, the best New Zealand only 

 fetching 3§d., and Australian 2§d. per lb. 



Lamb was a disappointing trade for Easter at the London Central 

 Market, nothing exceeding nd. per lb., while really good quality was 

 obtainable at lod. The following week lamb declined \d. per lb., and 

 remained fairly steady for the remainder of the month at iod. to io\d. 

 per lb. 



Veal. — The scarcity of Easter veal so noticeable in many parts of 

 the country was not felt in London, where there were abundant supplies 

 of Dutch. Only a moderate advance took place, and the best quality 

 only realised Sd. per lb. Afterwards the trade was overdone with 

 supplies, and prices fell till on the 28th the highest quotation at Smith- 

 field was only 6\d. per lb., while good English veal was offering at 6d. 



Pork. — Although pork is supplied more or less in London markets 

 during the whole year, the season is virtually over by the end of April. 

 There was little doing after March this year, and prices remained very 

 steady at 6%d. to 6\d. per lb. for the first quality of English. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN APRIL. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — There was a much improved demand during April, and 

 prices steadily advanced throughout the month. The brighter weather 

 and Easter holidays increased the consumption of all hog pro- 

 ducts, especially hams, and, with the continued decreased supplies 

 from the United States of America and Canada, prices have been on 

 a basis of those generally realised during July and August, when the 

 consumptive demand is larger than at any other time during the year 

 for bacon and hams. Some of the Canadian curers now write that 

 they do not expect to be again in a position to ship any of their products 

 until the end of the summer. During the month arrivals have regu- 

 larly reached this country from only four packing houses (and from 

 those in greatly reduced quantities), the remainder having closed down 

 that part of their business until pigs become cheaper and more plentiful. 



The Danes are taking every advantage of this shortage of Canadian 

 sides, their killings during April ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 pigs per 

 week, and all arrivals are being sold at what are considered satis- 

 factory prices, in some cases realising as much as some selections of 

 English and Irish Wiltshires. 



Importers of American bacon and hams have recently contracted 

 much more freely, as they are now of the opinion that prices must continue 

 on a high basis, at least throughout the summer months. Some 

 American packers refuse to sell ahead at any price, the future being 

 so uncertain. Prices for hogs during the month have ranged from 



