164 



Live and Dead Meat Trade in April. 



[may. 



freely marketed. There was, however, a good demand, and the 

 general average in about twenty-three English and Scotch markets was 

 a fraction over gd. for first and 8d. for second quality. This was a 

 reduction of \d. per lb. on the prices prevailing in March. 



Fat Sheep. — There have been much heavier supplies in most 

 markets. This is always the case towards the close of the turnip 

 season and at the time when clipping becomes general. Not only are 

 the numbers increased, but during March and April the sheep are 

 rapidly putting on flesh, thus greatly adding to the aggregate weight 

 of mutton coming to market. In spite of this fact, however, there has 

 been no serious decline in values. Demand has continued healthy, and 

 moderate concessions have been sufficient to clear markets. The 

 general average for prime Downs in the wool was g%d. per lb. during 

 the first week and the following two w y eeks it stood at gd., while shorn 

 tegs of the same quality averaged J%d., and *j\d. in the second and 

 third weeks. In the last week London was firm, Wakefield and Salford 

 were reported dearer, though a slightly easier tendency w r as experi- 

 enced at Derby and Newcastle. That there should have been only 

 such a slight decline at a time when so many turnip-fed sheep have to 

 be disposed of, indicates a strong consumptive demand and points to a 

 continuance of the improved values during the coming summer. 



Fat Lambs. — Lambs were officially quoted in over thirty markets 

 and the general trade in them was good. They have realised an 

 average of is. per lb. for first and iof<2. for second quality. Values 

 have differed widely at the various markets, first quality ranging from 

 io\d. to is. 3d. per lb. In the third week London, Exeter, Bristol,. 

 Hereford, and Shrewsbury were the lowest, while amongst the dearest 

 were Carlisle, Preston, York, and Salford. In Scotland fat lambs were 

 very dear. 



Fat Pigs. — In the first two weeks fat pigs continued to sell at 

 extreme rates, prime bacon pigs realising - an average of Ss. i\d. per 

 14 lb. stone in about twenty-nine leading markets. Warmer weather 

 caused a check in the third week, and prices receded to the extent of 

 2d. per stone. 



Carcase Beef — British. — The trade in British meat was very steady, 

 and prices for Scotch scarcely changed from week to week till an 

 advance of \d. per lb. took place about the 26th, Till then prime short 

 sides realised yd. and whole sides 6^d. per lb. It was the subject of 

 much remark that Scotch beef should be worth no more than port- 

 killed American, as was the case during the last week, the quality being 

 certainly as good as usual. Some very fine Norfolk beef also fetched 

 6^d. per lb. in the third and fourth weeks. 



Port-Killed Beef. — Supplies of American beef killed at ports of 

 landing were very small, and prices, relatively, extremely high. For the 

 first three weeks the best sold at 6\d. per lb., and in the last week 6£d., 

 or J<3. per lb. more than the best English. It would be difficult to 

 explain to the general reader why this should be so. Certainly it was 

 not owing to its superior quality. 



Chilled Beef. — There were very heavy supplies of chilled beef from 

 Argentina, but those from the United States were very moderate. 

 There was but little fluctuation in the prices quoted, but a large pro- 

 portion of the Argentine arrivals was of third-rate quality and sold at 

 very low rates. « 



