i8o 
Live and Dead Meat Trade in April, [may, 
prices may further advance. They are still some %\d. per stone, or 
nearly ^3 per head on bullocks of average weight, lower than in July 
of last Tear. Considerable confidence is evidently felt by graziers, who 
are paying very high prices for stores, and the annual lettings of grass- 
keeping for summer grazing are being made at high figures. 
Veal Calves — The scarcity of prime veal calves has continued, and 
those of fair merit have maintained the March averages of gjd. and 
8|d. per lb. There have been very large numbers slaughtered imma- 
turely, and these have fetched low prices. Thousands of these calves 
would probably have paid well for rearing. 
Fat Sheep. '— As a large proportion of the fat sheep have been clipped 
and weather conditions have more or less affected the sale of those out 
of the wool, it is more difficult to trace with certainty any fluctuations 
in the real value of mutton. Downs in the wool averaged Shd. for 
first, y\ d. for second, and 6d. for third quality, against 8fd., yid., and 
6d. in March, thus showing a decline of Id. per lb. The Longwools 
averaged 8|d., yid., and $hd., against 8^., y\d., and 5fd. Longwools 
therefore sold relatively better than Downs, probably owing to the 
greater value of their fleeces at this season. Clipped Downs averaged 
yd., 6hd., and 5^. per lb. for the three qualities, and Longwools 6hd., 
6d., and 4§d. Irish Longwools were quoted up to gld. per lb. at 
Liverpool in the last week of April. Owing to the wintry weather 
considerable losses were incurred by clipping during March and early 
in April, always a more or less speculative proceeding. The fear of 
damage to the meat by chilling deterred butchers from purchasing, 
and in many cases the difference in the value of the mutton of the 
naked sheep was greater than that of the fleece. Latterly, however, 
clipped sheep have sold much better in proportion, and at present prices 
for wool it will pay better to keep it. London buyers much 
prefer clipped sheep when the weather is suitable, and it often happens 
that the sender gets very little for the wool on the sheep's back at 
Islington market. 
Fat Lambs. — The value of fat lambs has very largely depended on the 
markets to which thev were sent, for the trade has been extremely 
irregular and the range of prices wide. Thus far the Metropolitan 
market has been quite one of the very lowest in the country. Taking 
thirty-seven British markets the April average was nhd. for first, and 
1 id. for second quality, while the top London price was about io|d. 
In the last week the highest price quoted was 1 5J. at Hull, several 
other markets reported 13d. and nd., but in London it was only io^d. 
for the choicest Down lambs. At Bristol, however, it was still lower, 
for there gd. was the top price. 
Fat Pigs. — The average price of bacon pigs in British markets was 
75. 3jd. for prime small, and 65. fid, for larger pigs, showing practic- 
ally no change from March values, but about 9c?. per stone below those 
of October. 
Carcass Beef — British. — The trade for British beef in London was 
quiet, but values were fairly steady. Scotch long sides averaged 6|<i. 
and 6\d., and English 6d. and 5I J. . per lb. Short Scotch sides fetched 
6fd. to yd. 
Port-Killed Beef. — Deptford-killed American beef averaged 5? J. per 
lb. for the best quality. 
