956 Live and Dead Meat Trade in January. [feb., 



The best quality have ruled from &%d. to 8§d. per lb., but values were 

 uneven as regards the different markets, of which about 20 are noted 

 in the official weekly reports. In the last week lod. per lb. was obtained 

 at Preston, and gd. at Chichester, Derby, Salford, and Edinburgh. 



Fat Sheep. — The slight improvement in the sheep trade which began 

 to manifest itself about Christmas made a distinct and gratifying 

 advance during January. A far more cheerful tone pervaded the 

 markets, with an obviously increased demand. The average price of 

 prime Downs went steadily upwards till in the last week it stood at 

 S^d. per lb. in 17 English markets. This was a recovery of i\d. per lb. 

 from the lowest point touched during the depression, and means about 

 6s. 6d. per head more on sheep of moderate weight. In fact, second 

 quality sheep made fully as much money as the first were worth a 

 few months ago. The last quotations of the latter averaged y\d. per lb., 

 while ewes showed a total advance of i^d. from the lowest point. 

 Sheep classed as Longwools showed about the same advance, and their 

 first quality reached an average of j%d. by the end of the month. 



Besides the better demand which was shown all over the country 

 it should be borne in mind that other causes have combined to appre- 

 ciate values since Christmas. The markets have been well supplied 

 with fine young tegs of good quality and moderate weight, and the 

 value of the skins has been much higher. Tegs are now carrying 

 nearly their full weight of wool, and, with a good trade for that article, 

 skins are worth something like 105. each for good " cross-breds." 



Fat Pigs. — With a continued scarcity of fat pigs, although there 

 was a slight occasional check to further advance, there was a brisk 

 trade in the last week and prices were as high as ever. The last 

 quotations showed averages for first quality of js. gd. per stone and 

 js. i^d. for second. : 



Carcass Beef — British.— Trade was adversely influenced at first by 

 the extreme mildness of the weather and the fact that holders had 

 failed to clear out their Christmas supplies, of which there was a 

 considerable surplus. Still, there were only small fluctuations in the 

 value of native beef. Scotch whole sides ruled from 6^d. to 6%d. for 

 best quality, while the few English sides in London markets occasionally 

 made 6d. per lb. Of these, however, the bulk were of second quality 

 only and were worth about 5§<i. The quality of the Scotch generally 

 was below the usual average. 



Port-Killed Beef. — The supplies of American port-killed beef were 

 moderate, and much of it was of second quality, or what is usually 

 called "Rancher" beef. This class was largely sold at 5^. per lb., 

 but the best quality fetched 6d. and, exceptionally, 6fd. per lb. 



Chilled Beef. — There were the usual sharp variations in the value 

 of chilled beef, but on the whole the trade was slow. At the beginning 

 of the month very good Argentine was making 3§d. for hindquarters, 

 and American 5^. to 6d. per lb. In the last week Argentine hind- 

 quarters were making 4§d. to 4-fcZ. and American $\d. to 6^d., and best 

 forequarters about qd. per lb. 



Frozen Beef. — Frozen was in poor demand and prices varied little 

 from $ld. per lb. for best hindquarters, and 2§d. for best forequarters. 



Carcass Mutton — Fresh Killed. — In sympathy with the live markets, 

 British mutton advanced, but only slightly so till towards the end of the 



