1909.] The Live and Dead Meat Trade in July. 427 



decline in the quotations for Herefords, amounting in the five markets 

 given to $d. per stone, while Devon s and Polled Scots fell about £d. 

 per stone. In the two last-mentioned breeds, second quality was practi- 

 cally unchanged, as was the case with the Shorthorns. In Scotland 

 the trade in the third week was much stronger than in England, and 

 nearly every market was quoted higher. Supplies were short, and in 

 some cases insufficient for the local demand. Prime quality bullocks 

 fetched 445. gd. per live cwt. at Aberdeen, and 45s. in Edinburgh, 

 although such sales were, of course, exceptional. At the last Monday's 

 market at Islington there was a surprisingly short supply, only 650 

 fat cattle being on offer, and even for recent years this was far below 

 the average. It is a rare thing in this market to see Shorthorns in a 

 minority, but on that occasion their numbers fell below that of the 

 Herefords. The condition of the latter was also superior, and this was 

 made evident by the prices realised. Trade was good, all round, and 

 Herefords easily made an advance of \d. per lb., as did also the Devons, 

 of which there were only 20 present. The Shorthorns showed much less 

 finish, and consequently fetched no more money per stone. The best of 

 them were quoted at 8s. $d., and second quality 75. 10 d., against gs. 

 and Ss. $d. for Herefords. The general results of the month's trade 

 in cattle show that the highest prices were touched in the first week, 

 and although subsequently there was some decline, they were still a 

 shade higher at the end of the month than they were at any time during 

 May. Prices for Polled Scots and Shorthorns at Islington on the 26th 

 were exactly the same as on the corresponding day last year. 



Veal Calves. — The supplies of fat calves in the country generally 

 were more than equal to the demand. The consumption of veal was 

 probably smaller than usual owing to the cool weather which has 

 characterised the summer. In the earlier part of the month the average 

 price for best quality was 8 d. per lb., but it declined to the extent of 

 about Id. in the second week, and then remained fairly steady to 

 the end. 



Fat Sheep. — The trade in sheep opened with great dulness, and the 

 market reports of the first week scarcely sounded a single cheerful 

 note. It is true that small Down tegs weighing, say, 60 to 64 lb. 

 just maintained their average value of y\d. per lb. In the seventeen 

 markets quoting them, but the number that could be so classed is 

 comparatively very small, and by far the larger proportion of sheep now 

 on offer are wethers weighing from 72 to 84 lb., which are described 

 as second quality. These declined slightly during the first week, and 

 averaged about 6\d. Longwools for some reason did relatively better, 

 for in 15 markets their average for first quality remained firm at yd., 

 and their second quality at 6|d. per lb. Newcastle was still the best 

 market, and Downs were there quoted up to 8|<2. per lb., while at 

 Bristol, Leicester, and York, best quality was only yd. 



There was no improvement in the tone of the markets in the second 

 week, and several accounts referred to want of quality and condition. 

 Prices for Downs, however, appeared to have touched bottom, for, 

 taking the average of eighteen markets, Downs were certainly no 

 cheaper, first quality remaining at y?d., and second showing a frac- 

 tional advance. Longwools, on the other hand, gave way, and prices 



