for Cuiisuniptioii in the iMetropolis. 
133 
condition. Not a few of them show signs of crossing with the 
Hereford and Devon breeds, and in all such instances compara- 
tively high rates have been obtained. Our impression is that the 
Lincolnshire supply, &c., is seasonably large ; and that, as the 
weight of stock is likely to increase rapidly with an abundant 
pasturage, the (juotations have seen their highest range for some 
time. 
The arrivals of sheep in the period under notice have been 
tolerably good ; but really prime stock has continued to be scarce ; 
hence there has been a wide difference between the highest and 
lowest prices, and a dull trade, except for prime and well-made-up 
Downs, half-breds, and Leicesters. It is somewhat remarkable 
that sheep should not have done as well as beasts during the 
past season. In consc(|uence, however, of the immense quantity 
of rain which fell last year, the foot-rot has made somewhat 
severe ravages in some of our leading districts. During the first 
four months of this year large numbers of rotten sheep made 
their appearance in the metropolis ; but since then rot appears to 
have almost wholly disappeared ; still, the sheep have not fat- 
tened so rapidly as could be desired, especially by the public, 
who complain loudly of the high prices charged by the butchers. 
Foot-rot has, no doubt, greatly interfered with the production of 
mutton, and some time must elapse ere the quotations will show 
much reduction from those now current. The Dutch sheep have 
not reached us in such good condition as in several previous 
years ; and have consequently met a slow sale. The arrivals 
I from Germany vid Hamburg have continued large, some of 
them showing signs of a cross with our Down breeds. The prices 
paid, however, have been very low, viz. from 12*. to 27s. each. 
Several thousands have been bought for grazing near London, 
but they have invariably been sent into the market again after a 
month's run, without gain to the purchasers. The fall in the 
price of rough fat to 2s. Sd. per 8 lbs. (the quotation last year 
having been 3s. 2^d.) has tended to keep down the value of live 
' stock, moi'e especially as the gigantic monopoly in the tallow 
trade has nearly broken down ; but even this decline, combined 
with the present high value of money, can scarcely reduce 
general quotations. The export trade of the country is im- 
proving ; consequently, additional employment will be found for 
our artizans and others, the great mass of consumers in the 
country ; and the demand for meat is likely to continue as exten- 
sive as ever, even with an average crop of wheat and a large 
growth of potatoes. 
The lambing season has turned out a most productive one. 
At the commencement of the consuming period prices ruled 
