604 Live and Dead Meat Trade in September, [oct. 



with moderate supplies prices showed little or no change. Individual 

 markets varied to some extent, but the general average price was 

 again 8%d. and y\d. per lb., in about twent3^-six leading markets. 



Fat Sheep. — The sheep trade may be described as very steady in 

 its general character, especially in view of the scarcity of those handy 

 small weights suitable to the modern demand. September falls be- 

 tween the seasons for prime mutton, and therefore the fact that the 

 averages for Downs were virtually unchanged may be taken as fairly 

 encouraging. There was considerable uniformity in values throughout 

 the country, London holding steadily about an average place. Many 

 heavy, long-woolled sheep were offered at Islington which failed to 

 attract buyers, and it seems surprising that senders should not per- 

 ceive that 90 lb. to 100 lb. sheep are quite unsuitable for the London 

 trade. Only in those southern markets where the Southdowns are 

 found has 8%d. per lb. been reached as the average top price of 

 "Downs," while in about eighteen English markets the widely varying 

 breeds which are so classed worked out at Sd., yd., and $^d. for the 

 three qualities respectively. " Longwools " is also a term used to 

 describe breeds differing widely in size and quality, but in these the 

 month of September showed a change in average values of about \d. 

 per lb. The figures in August were y\d., 6%d., and $\d., and in Sep- 

 tember J Id., 6\d., and $d. In Scotland Crossbreds fetched 8\d. in 

 many markets, and in the third week were quoted at yd. at Stirling 



Fat Lambs. — Lambs continued to be offered in about thirty markets 

 of England and Scotland, but their extra value as compared with 

 mutton was small. The August averages of 8§d. and j%d. per lb. 

 for first and second quality were maintained till the third week, when 

 they declined \d. 



Fat Pigs. — Bacon pigs were practically unchanged in value, and 

 averaged 8s. 2d. and ys. yd. per stone for first and second quality in 

 about thirty markets. 



Carcass Beef — British. — As already stated, the price of beef of 

 good quality remains remarkably firm. Scotch was almost entirely 

 represented in the Central London Market by short sides, which were 

 worth y\d. to y\d. per lb. throughout the month. A few long sides 

 in the last week fetched y\d. English beef was sparingly offered, and 

 then was only of second quality, fetching d\d. per lb. 



Fort-Killed Beef. — This trade has become of quite second-rate im- 

 portance in the London market, supplies getting more and more 

 limited. The averages for " town-killed " United States beef were 

 6\d. and 6d. for first and second quality. 



Chilled Beef. — This article showed more fluctuation during Sep- 

 tember than any other description of beef. That from the States was 

 very limited in quantity, and ranged from 6\d. to 6fcL for best hind- 

 quarters, the best forequarters fetching about 4<2. per lb. Argentine 

 chilled met a bad trade in the first three weeks, being in over supply. 

 Prime hindquarters then advanced £cL, and left off at $%d. per lb. 

 The best forequarters were very cheap, and large quantities were 

 sacrificed at almost nominal rates. From 2§<2. for the best quality, 

 quotations advanced to 3^. per lb. in the last week. 



Frozen Beef. — " Hard " beef was steady in value, and best hind- 

 quarters were worth 3§^. as the average for the month. 



