Prices of Live Stock. 



415 



There is thus a marked decline in the general level of 

 values of fat cattle of all qualities in 1 898 as compared with 

 1897. This is especially to be noted in the case of prime 

 beasts, which sold last year during the quarter at an average 

 varying from 32s. 4d. per cwt. (at Leeds) up to 38s. (in 

 London), whereas this year the lowest average, which was 

 again that from Leeds, stands at 32s., and the highest, 

 in London, only reaches 35s. 6d. 



The returns show that as many as 3,434 fat cattle actually 

 changed hands at an agreed price per cwt. or per stone live- 

 weight. Nine-tenths of such transactions were reported from 

 Scotland, the greater number being at Glasgow and at 

 Falkirk, the practice at the last-named mart being to sell 

 all weighed cattle in this way. 



Store cattle were reported as weighed at five places during 

 the quarter, and prices were given from four markets ; but 

 the total numbers thus sold were small except at Shrewsbury 

 and at Edinburgh, where 1,038 and 260 stores were sold 

 respectively, the prices varying from 27s. 2d. per cwt. for 

 third-class stores to 32s. for those of prime quality. 



The usual table giving details of the stock, of all de- 

 scriptions, entering and weighed at each of the scheduled 

 markets is given on the next page. 



