3m 
Slatidics of Live Stock and Dead Meat 
January have been considerably above averaj^e quality. And 
these remarks may bo applied not only to the crosses, but, like- 
wise, to the pure breeds. The improvement in the weight and 
condition of the beasts, whilst it has considerably checked an 
upward movement in the prices, has enabled the poorer classes 
to obtain prime meat at a moderate outlay. Even those who 
purchase on Government account have intimated that, for some 
time past, they have only bought prime animals, having found 
tlicm much cheaper than those of a second-class character. 
That the consumption in London has been enormous — especially 
since the opening of the International Exhibition — is evident ; 
and had it not been for the great distress which unhappily pre- 
vails in the manufacturing districts, arising from the cotton 
famine, prices would have risen much higher. The increase in 
the supplies shown in the great cattle-market has, in some 
measure, arisen from a portion of the stock originally destined 
for the Manchester and Leeds markets having been forwarded to 
London. From the same cause Ireland has sent more beasts to 
London than during the last three years, and the receipts from 
various parts of England show an excess of nearly 3000 beasts. 
It is satisfactory to observe that very few losses have been sus- 
tained from disease in any parts of England. In some districts 
some of the stock have suffered from lameness ; but, with very 
few exceptions, the hoofs have been preserved. The great 
abundance of grass has, no doubt, been a most important feature 
in cattle-grazing and sheep-feeding ; whilst the large quantity of 
hay secured last year, though in many instances in inferior con- 
dition, has checked a large outlay for artificial food. In noting 
particularly the Irish supplies, we may observe that about one- 
third of them have shown signs of crossing Avith some of our 
best breeds ; nevertheless, their weight and condition have fallen 
short of some previous years, and they are a little out of favour. 
Scotland — the arrivals from which have amounted to 9794 head 
— has forwarded about 4000 crosses and nearly 5000 pure Scots 
— the former in wonderfully fine condition, quite as good as in 
most former seasons. The commencement of the period for the 
receipt of stock from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and North- 
amptonshire, has been marked by the anival of about 1500 
shorthorns, and it is stated that large numbers will reach us 
in the course of the year. It is admitted, however, that the 
supplies ready for transmission are comparatively moderate, 
many of the graziers having kept their stock in the fields some- 
what longer than usual, owing to the great abundance of keep. 
The following return shows the quarters from whence Lcmdon 
derived its supplies of beasts in the first six months of the pre- 
sent and five previous years : — 
