191 1.] Live and Dead Meat Trade tn October. 707 



weather, but is not expected to be a large one. The area sown in 

 Argentina shows an increase, but that country's harvest of maize 

 seldom invades England before June. Maize shipments for October 

 were 408,000 qr. from the U.S., 190,000 qr. from Russia, and 

 162,000 qr. from Europe S.E. Only 160,000 qr. are on passage. 



Oilseeds. — Russian and Indian linseed has been on offer at about 

 175. 6d. per cental, and Argentine at about 175. 3d., but these are high 

 prices, and check demand. Sunflowerseed at 155. per cental for best, 

 145. for ordinary, comes out well on comparative analysis with linseed, 

 and is recommended by admitted experts. Sunflowerseed cake is now in 

 large and regular use in Denmark and Holland. London-made linseed 

 cake at ^9 Js. 6d. per ton is 75. 6d. dearer than a year ago ; decorticated 

 cottonseed cake at £8 is about ten shillings dearer. 



Various. — English beans, peas, and tares as sent to recent markets 

 have been of very fine quality, and often of quite remarkable weight. 

 Resulting demand has been good, and prices have advanced. Supply of 

 beans is restricted, as the use of them on the farm is larger than usual. 

 Some good New Zealand beans make 375. owing to scarcity and good 

 intrinsic value. Good maple peas at 385., and good dun at 355., have 

 been an active trade. Rye has risen to 325. per qr. The dearness of 

 bran, middlings, and pollard has continued during the month, but 

 there were signs at Mark Lane on the 30th of willingness to deliver 

 in November at 2s. 6d. to 55. per ton under previous currencies. Barley- 

 meal has been making ^7 10s. to ^8 per ton. 



THE LIVE AND DEAD MEAT TRADE IN OCTOBER. 

 A. T. Matthews. 



Fat Cattle. — Although the long drought may be said to have come to 

 an end in October, and the rains, though still light, were sufficient to 

 give a good colour to the pastures, the season was too advanced for 

 abundant growth or for the change of weather to have much effect. on 

 the condition of the cattle coming to market. Instead of any improve- 

 ment, the marked deficiency in flesh that has been the leading feature 

 since July was aggravated in October, and the proportion of animals 

 with any claim to rank as first quality was very small. This happens 

 every year towards the close of the grazing season in some degree, but 

 the low average condition of the supplies has been quite abnormal during 

 the last three months. The following quotations of average prices show 

 a wider difference than usual between first and second quality cattle, a 

 difference that has increased during the last month. In about twenty 

 leading English markets Shorthorns averaged Ss. 3d., 7s. 3fd., and 

 6s-. 2\d., against Ss. 3d., 75. 5^., and 6s. ^d. in September; Herefords, 

 8s. 57UI and ys. g\d. y against 8s. 5fd. and 7s. yd. ; Devons, 8s. 53d. and 

 7 s - 5i^-» against Ss. 3^. and 7s. 6d. ; Welsh Runts, 85. ifd. and 7s. 33d., 

 against Ss. ifd. and 75. 5^. ; and Polled Scots, Ss. 53d. and 7s. Sid., 

 against 85. 4§d. and 75. gd. per stone. 



Veal Calves. — Fat calves have met with a rather weaker demand, and 

 the proportion of good quality was very small. The average price, taking 

 all British markets, was Sd. per lb. for first, and yd. for second quality, 

 or about |d. per lb. below the September averages. 



