191 1.] Live and Dead Meat Trade in December. 869 



the best making y\d. per lb., and some were sold at ^35 each. Here- 

 fords, Shorthorns, and Welsh made only a moderate display. The 

 average prices for cattle in English markets for the whole month 

 were : — Shorthorns, Ss. id., ys. 3f<3., and 6s. $d. for first, second, and 

 third quality ; Herefords, Ss. i\d. and 75. 6|d. ; Devons, Ss. ^hd. and 

 75. yd. ; Welsh Runts, 8s. and ys. $hd. ; and Polled Scots, Ss. 2d. and 

 75. yd. per 14 lb. stone. Comparing these figures with those of 

 November, and taking first quality only, we find that Shorthorns 

 declined ifd. per stone; Herefords, 3d.; Devons, 2\d. ; Welsh, i\d. ; 

 .and Scots, i\d. As the enhanced prices at the Christmas markets were 

 included in the above, it is obvious that the general tendency was very 

 distinctly downwards. 



Veal Calves. — Veal is only in small demand at this season, but 

 supplies were none too large, and prices were well maintained, and, 

 indeed, slightly higher than in November. The average in about 

 •eighteen British markets was 8|d, and y\&. per lb. for first and second 

 quality. 



Fat Sheep. — Since the commencement of the turnip season the 

 weather has been unfavourable, at least, during December. Constant 

 rains have kept the sheep's coats sodden and the folds muddy, conditions 

 under which sheep cannot thrive. This may have kept supplies back, 

 and partly explain an advance in values rather unusual in December. 

 The averages for Downs in the English markets were S\d., y\d., and 

 $\d. per lb., with a fraction over; Longwools, y\d., yd., and 5^. 

 The total advance on the November averages was just over \d. 

 per lb., which is a distinct and very welcome improvement. In the 

 third week Downs were quoted at gd. per lb. at Derby, London, New- 

 castle, and Salford, while at Wellington (Salop), ajd. was reported. 

 There is no doubt that a small allowance should be made for the 

 increasing value of skins as the season advances, but it is evident 

 that a very much better tone has prevailed in the sheep trade during 

 the last two weeks of the year. 



Fat Pigs. — Bacon pigs continued to decline in value till the last 

 week, when there was a rally in the trade, but the average for the 

 month in about thirty British markets was only 7s. ^d. and 6s. gd. 

 per 14 lb. stone, against ys. yd. and 75. in November, and Ss. 2d. and 

 ys. yd. in August. A further decline is not considered likely at present, 

 in view of the restricted supplies from America and the statistical 

 position at home. 



Carcass Beef — British. — Scotch beef declined in the early part of 

 the month, but the quality was not then very fine. The Christmas 

 supplies were moderate and of choice quality, and there was a stiff 

 advance on ordinary rates with a good clearance. Short sides fetched 

 up to y\d. in the great Christmas market at Smithfield, but the month's 

 average was lower than in November. Short sides averaged 6\d. to 

 yd. ; long sides, 6\d. to 6\d. ; and English, 5f<2. to 6\d. per lb. 



Port-killed Beef. — American Deptford-killed beef averaged 5fd. and 

 5|d. per lb. for first and second quality, but special consignments of 

 unusually good animals arrived for Christmas, and fetched just about 

 the same as English in the Central Market. 



Chilled Beef. — Argentine deliveries were moderate and quite small 

 in the last week; therefore, much better prices were made. Best hind- 



