( XX ) 
The quantity of meat imported in 1876 was 788,973 cwts., 
showing an increase of 257,065 cwts. over that in 1875. In 1877, 
the quantity was 1,277,686 cwts., being 488,713 cwts. in excess of 
that imported in 1876. The quantity imported in 1878 (1,307,954 
cwts.) was slightly in excess of that imported in 1877. 
This increased importation of meat has probably had the effect 
of reducing the recent high price of butchers' meat. The average 
price of beef per lb. by the carcass at the Metropolitan Meat 
Market was 6|d, in 1876 ; in 1877 it was 6|d., or 5-7 per cent. less. 
The average price of mutton per lb. was 7|d. in 1876 ; in 1877 it 
was 7d., showing a decrease of 6*7 per cent. 
In the number of animals imported there was a marked decrease 
in 1877 compared with the previous year : in oxen, bulls, and cows, 
of 53,455 ; in calves of 13,926 ; in sheep and lambs of 167,432 ; and 
in swine and hogs of 23,521. Comparing the number of animals 
imported in 1878 with the number in 1877, there was an increase 
in oxen, bulls, and cows in the former year, of 52,432, in sheep and 
lambs of 18,064, and in swine and hogs of 35,874, while in the 
number of calves there was a decrease of 3164. 
STATISTICS OF DAIRY PEODUCE. 
The following remarks relating to Butter and Cheese, are ex- 
tracted from ' The Grocer ' : — 
BuTTEE. — The month of January began with prices many shil- 
lings below those of the two preceding years. Clonmels during this 
month varied only from 134s. to 13os. for the finest ; but after this 
the quantity offered for sale was not sufficient to establish market 
prices till May, when they were 112s. to 114s. In June the price 
for Clonmels varied from 106s. for second-rate brands, to 112s. for 
the best; and in July from 108s. to 114s. In August there was 
some improvement in the demand, and the prices ranged from 1128. 
to 1168. in the first week, and from 1088. to 120s. in the last week 
of this month. In October, Clonmels ranged from 108s, to 126s., 
and so continued until the second week in November, when, with 
a considerable falling-otf in supplies of fine qualities, prices ruled 
from 110s. to 130s. After this, so few really fine qualities were 
offered for sale, that quotations were nearly nominal. 
Cork Butter. — The prices of firsts, during each month of the 
year 1878, were as follow: — In January, 133s. to 135s.; and to 
first week in February, 130s. to 135s. ; after this prices varied from 
