554 



Live Weight Prices of Cattle. 



and 34s. iod. per cwt. In 1901, there was some falling off, 

 though prices remained on the average above those of either 



Years. 



Prime or First Quality. 



Good or Second Quality. 



Number. 



Price per 

 Cwt. 



Number. 



Price per 

 Cwt. 







s. 



d. 





s. d. 



1898 



36,898 



33 



8 



45,854 



31 10 



1899 



43.448 



35 



6 



37,964 



33 4 



1900 



43,905 



37 



0 



36,779 



34 10 



1901 



41,126 



36 



0 



39,903 



34 2 



1902 



50,755 



38 



0 



36,838 



35 10 



1898 or 1899, but in the past year British fat stock experienced 

 another advance, which raised first quality beasts to 38s., 

 and second quality cattle to 35s. iod. per cwt. In both cases, 

 however, these prices were only is. per cwt. more than those 

 obtained two years previously. 



These annual prices afford a useful means of comparing one 

 year with another, and, ascertained as they are from weekly 

 records extending over the whole year, may serve to correct 

 impressions obtained from values prevailing over short periods 

 or in particular localities. In addition, figures ascertained 

 monthly in a similar manner are also available, and these 

 are shown in the following table for 1902 and the two preceding 

 years. The course of these prices is also indicated in the 

 diagram on page 556. 



In the year 1902 prices of fat cattle exhibited considerably 

 greater variation than those of the preceding year. As com- 

 pared with those of 1900, however, although they were distinctly 

 higher, the general trend of values during the twelve months 

 was very similar. June, it will be seen, was the month of 

 maximum, preceded and followed by lower values in the 

 spring and autumn, with some recovery in December. Similar 

 tendencies may be traced in the course of prices in 1901, 

 although the variations were very much less pronounced. 



In 1902 prices first began to rise in April, when an increase of 



