1909.] Live and Dead Meat Trade tn November. 777 



so the general average of Shorthorns was not materially higher, that of 

 first quality being 8s. o\d. and second, 75. 3§d. Prices were higher at 

 Derby, Hull, Newcastle, Norwich, Peterborough and Wakefield. This 

 tendency for the averages of first and second quality more nearly to 

 approach each other was more marked with Herefords, first quality 

 declining id. per stone, and second advancing %d. They were 85. qd. 

 and js. g^d. respectively. Devons showed an advance of ifd. per stone 

 on first, and i^d. on second quality, which then stood at 8s. 6d. and 

 ys. 8d. Welsh Runts, with very little change, averaged 8s. id. and 

 js. 3ld., and Polled Scots 85. 2\d. and 75. ^\d. 



At the Metropolitan Cattle Market on the 22nd, there was a striking 

 object lesson to graziers who send stock to market in immature 

 condition. The supply consisted of 1,280 head, made up of Shorthorns 

 and Welsh Runts, with a sprinkling of Devons and Herefords. There 

 was a good steady demand, but prices of grass-fed beasts were no 

 higher than those of the previous week. For two weeks in succession, 

 Shorthorns had not exceeded 6fd. per lb. or js. lod. per 141b. stone, and 

 this would again have been their top quotation had it not been for the 

 appearance of a score or so of stall-fed Norfolks. These were quickly 

 disposed of at J^d. per lb. This means %d. per lb., or about 305. per 

 head, simply for quality, while it is generally acknowledged that the 

 increase in weight more than covers the cost of feeding and other 

 expenses. 



The last week saw a decided improvement in the demand for fat 

 cattle, and even cows looking like yielding suet sold better, which is 

 generally the first sign of the Christmas trade. The average price of 

 first quality Shorthorns in English markets went up 2d. per stone, 

 but second quality was unchanged. In over 20 markets the averages 

 were 8s. 2d. and js. 3§<2. 



The markets actually higher for prime Shorthorns were Bristol, 

 Derby, Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, London, Nottingham and 

 Peterborough. Wakefield was the only English market quoted lower. 

 There was only a very trifling change in the average values of either of 

 the other breeds, and this points to the increased value of Short- 

 horns being caused by their improvement in condition, the average (in 

 other words) being raised by the coming out of stall-fed bullocks in 

 many places. Trade in Scotland was firm generally, and 435. 3d. per 

 live cwt. was realised at Edinburgh. 



Veal Calves.— In about twenty markets calves remained without any 

 change in the values current in October, viz. : — 8d. per lb. for first and 

 yd. for second quality, but, although the demand was small, supplies 

 fell off, and really good calves became scarce, and, after the second week 

 prices advanced from |'<£. to hd. per lb. 



Fat Sheep. — The leading feature of the first week was a very con- 

 siderable increase in the number of sheep exposed for sale, compared 

 with that at the corresponding markets last year. Although the 

 supplies at Islington continued moderate, in the country generally they 

 exceeded those of 1908 by about 20 per cent. At Salford they were 

 11,300 against 8,500, and at Glasgow, 11,400 against 7,900. Taken 

 in conjunction with the very large increase in the importations of frozen 

 mutton, this heavy supply goes far to account for the prevailing cheap- 



