340 Rcjiort on the American and Canadian Meat Trade. 
weather ; but the question of cost counterbalances it. Still, as 
it is said to leave a good profit, the live-cattle trade from the 
other side of the Atlantic will doubtless be persevered in, and 
will increase in summer-time. 
The dead-meat trade commenced earlier than is generally 
known, and owes its inception to Mr. John Dyke, the Canadian 
Government Agent in Liverpool, who advocated the same 
through the columns of the Canadian press so long ago as 1871. 
Whilst on a visit to Canada in the winter of 1873-74, this 
gentleman made arrangements for a shipment to follow him to 
Liverpool. The particulars of the first consignment ever sent 
across the Atlantic as given in the Liverpool ' Daily Post ' of 
February 12th, 1874, are worth preserving : — 
" Interesting to Beef Consumers. — For the last few days, and especially on 
Saturday, a curious sight has been seen at the bottom of Mount Pleasant, 
opposite to the Adelphi Hotel. There have been crowds around the wholesale 
provision shop of Mr. William Brittain, engaged in inspecting the cutting-up 
of sides of prime beef, and afterwards in purchasing pieces for consumption. 
On inquiry, it was found that Mr. Brittain had received by the Allan steamer 
' Caspian,' which arrived in Liverpool last week, a very considerable consign- 
ment of fresh Canadian beef, which was being disposed of at the moderate 
prices of Qd. and Id. per lb. for the prime parts. This beef, amounting to 
12 tons, formed part of a consignment from Canada, consisting otherwise of 
6 tons of salt beef, Is ton of poultry (geese and turkeys), and a half- ton of 
mutton. The whole had been carefully packed in rye straw, which has the 
special quality of absorbing any moisture from the meat, and arrived in first- 
rate condition. 
" The packing of beef in this particular manner will of course only be avail- 
able during the winter season ; but the winter season happens to be that in 
which, through the extra cost of fuel, domestic economies become requisite just 
at the time when an extra consumption of meat is a necessity of healthy life. 
It is understood that the present shipment is to be followed by others on a 
large scale. As to the meat itself, it is well known that careful housekeepers 
often hang up their meat at this season of the year for a time as long as that 
occupied by the Atlantic voyage, to secure the tenderness which is so great a 
desideratum of English dinner-tables. That the Canadian fresh beef is, at the 
same time, tender and sweet can be proved by experiment. It is desirable 
that the attention of persons charged with the victualling of Public Institutions 
should be turned to this matter, in order that they may, if possible, make con- 
siderable economies. The necessary arrangements for the receipt and disposal 
of this experimental consignment have been made by Mr. John Dyke, Agent 
of the Ontario Government in Liverpool. 
" The writer had the opportunity of testing a piece of sirloin, which was in 
all respects equal to ordinary English sirloins at lid. and Is. per lb ; the 
poultry consignment was forwarded to London, where it has realised good 
prices." 
Messrs. John Bell & Sons, the eminent Glasgow butchers and 
live-stock importers, have kindly sent me the information 
contained in the following letter : — 
