I9H.] 
The Provision Trade in April. 
181 
Chilled Beef. — As regards States chilled beef, it is noteworthy that 
frequently during April there was none worth quoting on the London 
market. Best hindquarters fetched 6\d. to 6\d. per lb., and forequarters 
4<i. to 43d. Argentine chilled was plentiful, and a clearance of exposed 
stocks was often impossible. Prices were slightly lower than in March, 
the averages in the Smithfield Market working out at 4<2. to 4^. for 
hindquarters, and 2%d. to 3d. per lb. for forequarters. 
Frozen Beef. — The value of frozen beef gradually declined all the 
month, best hindquarters averaging 4<2., and forequarters about 2§d., 
per lb. 
Carcass Mutton — Fresh-Killed. — Mutton has been very slow of sale 
and trade dragging for all except the smallest sizes. Very light Scotch 
tegs have occasionally fetched 8hd. per lb., but fluctuated to the extent 
of Id. per lb. Their average was Sd. Excellent Scotch mutton of very 
moderate weight made yd., and larger sheep 6d., per lb. The value of 
English was 6d. to 6\d. per lb. for good West Country tegs. 
Frozen Mutton. — This article sold at very low prices. The best New 
Zealand has stood for three weeks at 33d. per lb., Argentine at 3d., and 
Australian a fraction less. 
Carcass Lamb. — British lamb was unusually cheap, and the choicest 
only averaged io\d. per lb., large quantities being sold at gd. and 
under. The top price of the best frozen (Canterbury) was $d., and that 
of Argentine about ^d. 
Veal. — Prime quality British varied from Sd. to 8%d. per lb., but 
6d. was the outside value of middling carcasses. 
Pork. — Small pigs have fetched yd. to yld., and medium sizes 6fcL, 
per lb. There has been a good demand for heavy sows in London at 
5<2. per lb. for sausage making. 
THE PROVISION TRADE IN APRIL. 
Hedley Stevens. 
Bacon. — Although on the whole the demand was a little better than 
during March, dealers are disappointed with the month's trade. In 
spite of the fact that prices were considerably below those current at 
the same time last year, the consumption was still less. Owing to the 
cold weather just before Easter, the demand for the holiday trade was 
much less than had been expected, but towards the end of the month 
orders were a little more free. 
The arrivals from Denmark were not quite so heavy as during the 
previous month. Prices for this description remained steady, but agents 
found some difficulty in clearing up their stocks before the next shipment 
arrived. The imports from Russia were fairly large, and in some' cases 
pressure was brought to bear in order to effect sales, which resulted in 
lower prices all round. The top price for the month was about 545. per 
cwt., with secondary grades selling at around 485. per cwt. The ship- 
ments from Holland were small, but they are likely to increase in the 
near future. Canada continues to ship us bacon in slightly increased 
quantities ; prices for the month remain about unchanged. 
American bacon was again cheaper, and with hogs being marketed 
daily in larger numbers than last year, it is anticipated that prices will 
