iQio.] The Provision Trade in September. 



605 



Carcass Mutton — Fresh Killed. — The London trade, which fairly 

 reflected that of the country, was very slow for fresh-killed mutton. 

 Even the finest small Scotch never exceeded y^d. per lb., and in the 

 last week *j\d. was realised with difficulty. The best English on offer 

 was steady at 6d. to 6|d. per lb. The finest quality of English mutton, 

 however, such as the Southdown, is never seen at Smithfield. Dutch 

 mutton was freely offered and sold at 5§d. to 6d. per lb. throughout. 

 " Lamb," which was, of course, sold as mutton, realised up to J%d, 

 per lb. 



Frozen Mutton. — In the third week frozen mutton was held with 

 great firmness by shippers, and prices advanced, though the market 

 was slow. At the end of the month the best "Canterbury" touched 

 4|ci. per lb., and Argentine 3fd. 



Lamb. — British lamb fetched no, more than small mutton, but New 

 Zealand of first quality advanced to 5§d. per lb. 



Veal. — There was a fair demand for veal at steady prices. In 

 London the finest Dutch averaged S^d., and English Sd. per lb. 



Pork. — The season commenced this month, and the trade was brisk 

 during cool weather, but declined no less than %d. per lb. when the 

 warm spell set in. Prices of best English ranged from y\d. at the 

 lowest to Sd. at the highest point. 



THE PROVISION TRADE IN SEPTEMBER. 

 Hedley Stevens. 



Bacon. — The exceptionally fine weather during September gave a 

 better tone to the market, and early in the month prices generally 

 were higher. This applied especially to side meats, the arrivals being 

 very moderate in quantity. By the end of the month, however, Wilt- 

 shire prices had again receded, with freer arrivals from Denmark and a 

 smaller demand, leaving quotations about 2s. per cwt, under those 

 current at the commencement of the month. Canadian sides were the 

 only exception; these were being held for 2s. per cwt. advance, on 

 account of very small arrivals. 



Arrivals from America continue on the moderate side, but im- 

 porters have reduced their prices in order to keep stocks moving, as 

 they are nervous of holding at present high prices. American hogs 

 have fluctuated considerably during the month, ranging from $8.15 to 

 $10.00, but on the whole the quantities marketed have been a little in 

 excess of the previous month. The latest advices from the United 

 States point to the present high prices continuing longer than was 

 expected, the quantity of pigs available being below that anticipated. 



American lard was dearer at the end of the month, but packers 

 have been willing to contract for January shipment at from 6s. to js. 

 per cwt. below that demanded for September shipment. 



Russian and Siberian sides continue to command attention, and 

 the best selections of the former were cleared as soon as landed at 

 within 2s. to 35. per cwt. of that made for best Dutch. Small quanti- 

 ties of cured meats are still arriving from Australia, and were readily 

 cleared during the month at around 705. to 735. The only fault to be 

 found with this meat is that the cure is a little hard. 



