The American Cattle Trade. 
371 
and "figured on"' will not furnish as high a grade of heef as is 
demanded in New York by the exporters; but its carcass will 
take the place in the New York market of one which is ex- 
ported. While the Northern-wintered and corn-fed Texan steer 
sells at . r ).\(7. per lb., the choicest bullocks, such as are selected by 
the exporters, are quoted at 6^rf. per lb. for the extreme. This 
relation is sure to be maintained, and as the price of the Western 
beef stands or declines, so must that of the highest grade accord 
with it, whether the animals be from the prairies of Illinois, the 
blue-grass of Kentucky, or the stalls of New York and \ ermont. 
This cannot be otherwise : first, because the difference in quality 
of the two grades of beef is not now such as to command a 
greater difference in price ; and secondly, because the quality of 
the lower grade is certain to improve henceforth until it will 
fairly rival the higher. This difference in price between choice 
steers of high-bred stock from Eastern and corn-growing farms, 
and the improved Western beeves, is therefore more likely in 
the future to decrease than to increase. 
But as to the exportation of dressed beef. This trade is, 
undoubtedly, established, and although it may fluctuate, it will 
not cease. New men and more capital are reinforcing it, and 
the many drawbacks and obstacles in the business are more 
likely to be overcome than to overcome it. Mr. Eastman, one 
of the earliest and largest exporters — to whom I am indebted 
for many courtesies in reference to this matter — has invested 
about 25,000/. in thirty refrigerating compartments in dif- 
ferent vessels, with accompanying machinery, chill-rooms at the 
slaughter-houses, &c. ; and other parties in New York are largely 
interested, as well as operators at Boston, Philadelphia, and 
Baltimore. Canada is also contributing to the trade, as well 
as sending over live cattle. Portland, Maine, seems to be a 
favourite point for shipments of Canadian beef, 12,000 quarters 
having been sent to England from that port during the first four 
months of this year. It is estimated that over 50,000 carcasses 
have been sent out from other ports of the United States during 
the first half of this year, Mr. Eastman alone having shipped an 
average of 1000 beeves a week. This, against 20,000 animals 
exported for the whole of last year, shows the growth of this 
business, and all upon rising prices. The average price paid 
by exporters at the yards for nine months past is thus stated : — 
5^(1, b±d., 5±d., 5-j-ci, and 5fti., Gd., 6-^?., Q}d., 6±d. per lb. 
This steady advance is accounted for by the fact that, during the 
period covered, the supply of first-class beeves has not equalled 
the demand. Previous to the opening of this new trade, our 
home-markets showed a surplus ; but the exportations have 
increased, thus far, faster than it was possible to increase the 
