1910.] The Provision Trade in February. 



1045 



fair quality was on offer at Smithfield, and realised from 5§d. to 6d. 

 per lb. 



Port Killed Beef. — The quality of the American beef killed at ports 

 of landing was more even, and sold at 6d. to 6%d. early in the month, 

 but declined to 5§d.-5ld. before the close. 



Chilled Beef. — There was a moderate and rather steady trade in 

 chilled beef throughout, both from Argentina and the States. The 

 latter is invariably higher in value than the former, and hindquarters 

 fluctuated between $^d. to 6^d. in the first week, and $%d. to 6\d. at 

 the close of the month. The best Argentine hindquarters sold at ^\d. 

 to 4fd. per lb., and forequarters at about ^\d. 



Frozen Beef. — A quiet and very featureless trade prevailed in frozen 

 beef. Best hindquarters sold at ^\d. per lb., and forequarters at 2|d. 

 to 3f<2. per lb. In the last week there was little difference between 

 fore and hindquarters in value. 



Carcase Mutton — Fresh Killed. — Scotch mutton at the beginning of 

 the month was fetching yd. per lb., but advanced to y\d. at the end. 

 English tegs realised from 6\d. to yd. Some prime Down lamb from 

 Wallingford arrived on the 23rd, and realised 15. id. per lb. 



Frozen Mutton. — The best New Zealand mutton has been selling at 

 4£d., and Argentine at 3§d., per lb. New season lamb from New 

 Zealand was rather dear, and touched 6d. per lb. in the Central Market. 



Veal. — This article was in fair demand at y\d. to 8|d. per lb. in 

 London, but dearer in Liverpool and Manchester. 



Pork. — A very steady trade in London for the first fortnight at y\d. 

 per lb. for medium small English, dropping \d. about the 16th, but 

 recovering the following week. Dutch was worth about Jd. per lb. 

 less money. 



. THE PROVISION TRADE IN FEBRUARY. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — February is generally considered to be one of the quietest 

 months in the bacon and ham trade, and this year, on account of the 

 abnormal conditions prevailing in the trade, it has been unusually slack 

 throughout. The consumptive demand shows still further reduction, as 

 the general public cannot afford to pay the prevailing high prices, 

 while the retail dealers do not push the business, as it is unprofitable to 

 them. In spite of these- facts, however, prices for most cuts show 

 advances on the month. 



The difficulty in obtaining supplies continues ; the arrivals from 

 Denmark are still very small, and all advices point to further reductions 

 in the arrivals from that country right through the summer. In 

 America the advance in the price of hogs has been phenomenal/ top 

 prices having reached $9.70, and in consequence the contracting 

 business with England for shipments during the spring is practically 

 at a standstill. During February last year light average American 

 clear bellies were selling for shipment at about 525. per cwt.. ; this 

 year 745. is demanded. The weekly arrivals from America have 

 been unusually small, and as cable advices report the general opinion 

 to be that the present high range of prices must continue throughout 

 the summer, it means that the arrivals from the United States will 



