1909.] Live and Dead Meat Trade in October. 691 



Fat Lambs. — Although fat lambs still continue to be quoted in 

 several markets, the season is really over, and quotations have been 

 very little higher than those for mutton. The averag-e of the eleven 

 markets quoting lambs separately for the last week in October was 

 j±d. per lb. for first and 6\d. for second quality. 



Fat Pigs. — There was no diminution in the demand for fat pigs,, 

 and, supplies being very moderate, prices continued to harden. Bacon 

 pigs gained in average value .during the month to the extent of i^d. 

 per stone, for pigs of both light and heavier weights. The subject of 

 breeding and marketing English pigs was much discussed during the 

 month, including the proposed establishment of factories on the Con- 

 tinental system. London factors tell the writer that much depends on 

 the breed of the pigs for the success of such enterprises, and that 

 what is required in our markets are pigs with more lean meat and a 

 lighter fore-quarter. 



Carcase Beef. — Very large arrivals of chilled beef from Argentina 

 and ranch-fed cattle from Canada had a quieting effect on the trade 

 at the beginning of the month. The first mentioned was very cheap, 

 selling at 4^. per lb. for best hind-quarters, a fall of 2\d. in six weeks. 

 Port killed was also selling at 53'a 7 ., against 6d. a month earlier, 

 Prime Scotch sides were worth 6§<2. and English 5§<2. per lb. The 

 second week prices were firmer, except for frozen, but trade in the 

 third week was affected by the damp and warm weather prevailing. 

 Fresh killed beef was not much affected, but chilled declined from \d. 

 to \d. per lb., recovering at the close with cooler weather. On the 

 whole the trade in carcase beef was steady throughout the month, with 

 very little change in values. Best frozen hind-quarters have realised 

 from 3fd. to 3§d. per lb. 



Carcase Veal. — The trade for both English and Dutch veal was very 

 quiet in London, and prices for the very best quality did not exceed 

 6\d. per lb. In the first and third weeks the highest quotation was 

 6d. per lb. Inferior Dutch veal was procurable at /\\d. per lb. 



Carcase Mutton. — The month opened with prime Scotch selling at 

 6d. per lb. and English at the same price. Dutch sheep were worth 

 5<i. and small tegs $^d. per lb. In the second week a great surprise 

 was sprung on the retailers of frozen mutton, holders suddenly 

 advancing the price by id. per lb. on Argentine, i^d. on Australian, 

 and §<i. on New Zealand. No corresponding advance was asked for 

 British and Dutch fresh killed, and the values of these were unusually 

 close to that of frozen. Good young ewe mutton was only fetching 

 3sd. and Dutch ^\d. to 5^., against tfed. for best New Zealand frozen. 

 The position was even more remarkable the following week, a further 

 rise taking place in frozen, and Scotch and English being cheaper than 

 ever, except that ewes rushed up \\d. per lb., many carcases making 

 75. 6d. each more than the previous week. Relative prices in the 

 Central Market then stood as follows : — British first quality, 5^. ; New 

 Zealand, 5^. ; Dutch, 4§d. ; Argentine and Australian, 4^. ; and English 

 ewes, 4|d. per lb. In the last week frozen gave way \d. per lb., while 

 British advanced \d. for prime quality, and ewes sold well. 



Pork. — The demand for pork improved, and, with moderate supplies, 

 prices were good. Prime small English realised yhd. per lb. throughout, 

 and even Dutch was worth the same money in the second week. 



