( XIX ) 
The quantity of meat imported in 1876 was 788,973 cwts., show- 
ino' an increase of 257,005 cwts. over that in 1875. In 1877, the 
quantity was still greater, viz., 1,279,645 cwts., being 490,672 
cwts. in excess of that imj)orted in 1876. This largely increased 
importation of dead meat will probably have the effect of reducing 
the present high price of butcher's meat. The average price of 
beef by the carcass at the Metropolitan Meat Market was 6|d. in 
1876; in 1877 it was egcZ., or 5-7 per cent. less. The average price 
of mutton was 7^d. in 1876 ; in 1877, it Avas Id., showing a decrease 
■of 6-7 per cent. 
The following remarks relating to Irish and Foreign Butter and 
to Cheese are extracted from ' The Grocer ' : — 
Irish Butter. — The month of January began with prices un- 
usually high, and continued so until nearly the end of March, 
owing partly to the drought in the summer of 1870, which left 
smaller quantities on hand than usual, and partly to a wet, cold, 
and backward spring in 1877. 
April commenced with prices for seconds (for firsts were not 
•quoted after March, when they were 125s. to 155s.) at 115s. to 
130s., and closed at 116s. to 118s. In May seconds were quoted at 
114s. to 117s. Cork firsts in June were 125s., and fell at the close 
of the month to 122s. In July firsts were 122s. during the first 
two weeks, but fell to 120s. In August the prices for firsts ranged 
^"I'om 119s. to 121s. In September prices varied from .129s. to 
135s. October began at 130s., and finished at 126s. In November 
the prices for firsts ranged fiom 123s. to I30s., and in December 
very few firsts came to market, so prices began at 130s. to 132s., 
and in the third week rose to 134s. and 137s. 
Foreign Butter. — The prices of foreign butter were influenced 
by the same causes that affected Irish butter. The best brands of 
Kormandy were offered the first week in January at 140s. to 150s., 
in the second week they were offered at 148s. to loOs., the next 
seven weeks they were 159s. to 100s., and to the middle of March 
156s. to 164s.; at the end of this month they were 140s. to 146s., 
with new supplies coining forward. In April the higliest price for 
best brands was 140s. In May prices began at 126s. to 136s., but 
finished at 114s. to 118s. In June the prices for best fluctuated 
more, beginning at 118s. to I26s., and closing at 120s. to 128s. 
The highest price in the first two weeks of July was 124s., then to 
the middle of August 120s., and rose by the end of this month to 
128s., which was the lowest price for best for the rest of the year. 
Early in September prices for best ranged from 126s. to 132s., the 
next week they were quoted at 134s. to 144s., then for four weeks 
134s. to 140s.; the second and third weeks in October they were 
