for Consumjjtion in the Metropolis. 135 
mingliam markets. Tlie average prices of beef and mutton have 
been as under : — 
Averaje Prices of Beef and Mutton. 
1856. 
1857. 
1858. 
1859. 
1860. 
1861. 
IBeef: — 
s. d. 
s. d. 
s. d. 
s. d. 
S. (/. 
s. cf. 
3 0 
3 2 
3 0 
3 2 
3 6 
3 4 
Middling.. 
3 10 
4 0 
3 10 
4 0 
4 G 
4 4 
4 8 
5 0 
4 6 
5 0 
5 (i 
5 0 
Mutton : — 
3 0 
3 10 
3 2 
3 4 
3 10 
3 8 
4 0 
5 0 
4 2 
4 8 
.') 2 
.5 0 
5 2 
6 0 
5 2 
5 10 
6 2 
5 10 
Although there has been an important decline in prices in this 
as compared with last season, the quotations have, we imagine, 
been remunerative. In some quarters, however, losses may have 
been sustained, owing to the unusually high rates which pre- 
vailed for fat and lean stock in the early part of last year. 
Great fluctuations have taken place in the value of meat both 
in Newgate and Leadenhall markets, which, on the whole, have 
been well though not heavily supplied. At one period the 
primest beef sold at 4^. 8rf., and the primest mutton at 55. per 
8 lbs. by the carcase. The quotations now, however, are com- 
paratively moderate. • 
As the grazing corrimunity in this country are deeply interested 
in the progress of agriculture abroad, we may call attention to 
some official statistics recently issued in reference to the numbers 
of beasts and sheep in Holland. From them we learn that in 
1860 the total number of the former was 1,213,381, and of the 
latter only 768,373 head. The supply of beasts here given may 
be accurate enough, but there is evidently a great inaccuracy in 
the number of sheep returned. Further, we learn that in 1860 
over 200,000 sheep were exported, chiefly to England. If 
we take the lowest possible estimate of the supplies required for 
home consumption, it seems impossible that Holland could spare 
more than a fourth of its whole stock for export : for if exports 
are to be continued at that rate, on a stock of considerably less 
than a million of sheep, the whole race must die out. We call 
attention to these figures with a view to their verification and 
correction by the proper authorities. 
5, Argyle Sq^uare, St. Pancras, London. 
