i9i i.] Live and Dead Meat Trade in February. 1043 



out as follows : — Shorthorns, 8s., js. 33d., and 6s. qd. per 14 lb. stone, 

 against 85., js. 3^d., and 6s. /\d. in January; Herefords, 8s. ofd. and 

 js. 6\d., against Ss. i\d. and ys. 6d. ; Devons, 8s. ofd. and 75. 4fd., 

 against 85. 3d. and 75. yd. ; Welsh Runts, 75. u|d. and 75. 3d., against 

 7s. iofd. and Js. 43d.; Polled Scots, 85. id. and 75. 7^d., against 

 8s. 2\d. and 75. 9^. per stone. London quotations for Shorthorns 

 were again high in proportion to other markets, owing to the superior 

 finish of the Norfolk supplies. These have weighed remarkably well, 

 the excess of dead-weight over the live often amounting to several 

 stones. Bristol has been about the cheapest market, but the great 

 markets in the north, such as Leeds, Salford, and Liverpool, have 

 also been relatively low. British beef has now returned to the level of 

 values prevailing before the advance which set in about a year ago. 

 In February, 1910, prices were something like \&. per lb. higher than 

 they are at the present time. 



Veal Calves. — There has been a very good demand for prime veal 

 calves, which were scarce and rather dear. Second and third qualities 

 were comparatively plentiful and relatively low in price. The averages 

 in about twenty-three British markets were gd. and 7fd. per lb. for first 

 and second qualities. 



Fat Sheep. — The February business in fat sheep may be described 

 as quiet but steady. There was a fractional advance in the average 

 for "Downs," but it did not quite amount to Id. per lb. for first quality. 

 This was secured on second quality, and also in those classed as 

 Longwools. Wool is not selling quite so well as it did, and at this 

 time of year that fact somewhat affects the prices of sheep. It is im- 

 portant to remember that the numbers of those which are classed as first 

 quality are comparatively small, and that in those markets quoting 

 9<3. per lb. it is but few that make it. A very much larger proportion 

 of the tegs now coming to market, though equal as regards quality 

 of their meat, have to be classed as second quality solely on account of 

 their weight, and these form the bulk of the supplies. To speak, 

 therefore, of English mutton making anything like yd. per lb. at the 

 present time would be misleading. The general averages in English 

 markets for the month were 8\d., 7fd., and 6d. per lb. for Downs, and 

 8fd., j\d., and $\d. for Longwools. Prime cross-breds in ten Scottish 

 leading markets have averaged gd. per lb. These small but popular 

 sheep have also realised very high prices in northern markets like 

 Salford ; Carlisle, Preston, &c. Fat lambs are fetching up to is. 3d. 

 per lb. 



Fat Pigs. — During the latter half of the month there was a 

 hardening tendency in the trade for bacon pigs, but the general 

 average prices of 75. 2d. and 6s. 6d. per stone were very slightly below 

 those of January. 



Carcass Beef — British. — London Central Market was fairly supplied 

 with Scottish beef, which met a very quiet trade at prices fractionally 

 below those of January. Short sides averaged 6\d. and 6\d. for first 

 and second quality; long sides, 6d. and 5fd., and English, 5fd. 

 and 5fd. per lb. 



Port-Killed Beef. — The supplies of Deptford-killed in Smithfield 

 Market were again small, and the prices realised are curiously on a 

 par with those of English beef. The average prices of first and second 



