870 Live and Dead Meat Trade in December, [jan., 



generally neglected on that day, while the first Monday in January is 

 almost always marked by a good trade. 



The week ending on the 22nd, though markets were poorly supplied 

 and badly attended, seemed to point to a more healthy state of the sheep 

 trade, for the average value of first and second quality Downs was fully 

 maintained. Longwools of first quality advanced \d,, but wethers and 

 ewes both fell \d. The last market at Islington fell on the 27th, which 

 was Bank Holiday, and buyers were so few that even the 1,120 on offer 

 could not be all sold. A fair business was done in the early morning at 

 a decline of %d. per lb. all round. 



Fat Pigs. — Pigs were still at a premium, and sold well throughout 

 the month, though there was less excitement in the trade, except in 

 the Christmas markets, where some very sensational prices were realised 

 for very heavy pigs. Anything over £12 is always regarded as a large 

 sum for one animal but there were numerous cases in which ^15 and 

 £16 were paid, and one pig at Derby fetched £20 25. 6d. In the 

 ordinary market, there was no advance the first week, but the average 

 of prime quality again advanced in the second week, and reached js. gd. 

 per 14 lb. stone. Later there was a check, and prices went back 2d. 

 per stone for first and i\d. for second quality. 



Carcase Beef. — Trade in the dead-meat market experienced con- 

 siderable fluctuations, but, considering the enormous supplies of chilled 

 and the sudden and violent changes in the weather, the general result 

 of business was quite as good as was expected. The month began with 

 plenty of the lower qualities on offer, but British beef was firm in the 

 first week, Scotch realised 6\d. to 6£d. for whole sides, and the 

 small quantity of English of good quality made 6d. per lb., second- 

 rate sides being worth $\d. Port killed was in small supply, and sold 

 at 4fd. to 5|d. per lb. ; Chilled was very cheap, Argentine fetching : — 

 hind quarters -$\d. to ^\d. and fore quarters -$\d. per lb. American hind 

 quarters made 53d. to 6d. The low price of this class of beef 

 depressed the trade in frozen, the very best hind quarters of which only 

 made 33d. ner lb. There was little change in British in the second 

 week, but port killed advanced id. per lb., while the arrivals 

 of chilled were so heavy that Argentine hind quarters declined 

 \d. and Americans \d. per lb. The weather was very dry 

 and cold, and a brisk business was confidently anticipated 

 for the Christmas market. This was fully realised on Monday 

 and Tuesday, the 20th and 21st, but after that came a sudden 

 rise in temperature, with a humid atmosphere, which was disastrous 

 to sellers, and a rush was made to clear out at any reasonable price. 

 The prices of beef showed a sharp advance during the first two days. 

 Scotch short sides made up to 7fd. per lb. and whole sides 6fd. to yd. 

 English was quoted at 5!^. to 6\d., Port-killed at 5^. to 6\d., and 

 chilled hind-quarters experienced a sharp advance. So great was the 

 call for roasting parts, that even frozen hind-quarters sold rather better : 

 every class of beef, in fact, sold at Christmas prices, except Argentine 

 fore-quarters, which were too heavily supplied to readily clear. Then 

 came the change of weather, and prices fell considerably, making it 

 almost impossible to strike a reliable average quotation. 



Veal. — Good veal was scarce at the beginning of the month, and in 

 London as much as 7fcZ. per lb. was obtained for choice Dutch, and l\d. 



