( XX ) 
The quantity of meat imported in 1878 was 1,307,954 cwts., 
against 1,277,686 in the previous year; in 1879 the quantity was 
1,524,725 cwts., being an increase over that of the previous year 
of 216,771 cwts.; in 1881 the quantity had still further increased 
to 1,815,327 cwts. 
The average price of beef per lb. by the carcass at the Metro- 
politan Meat Market was 5^d. in 1879 ; in 1878 it was 6|(7., show- 
ing a reduction in 1879 of 10 per cent. The average price of 
mutton per lb. was 6|c?. in 1879 ; in 1878 it was Id., showing a 
reduction in 1879 of 5 per cent. ; in 1880 the average price of 
beef i^er lb. was 6^d., of mutton per lb. 6|d., showing an increase 
oven the previous year of 9 per cent, and 4 per cent respectively. 
The reduction in the price of beef and mutton since 1878 was 
equal to 6 and 4 per cent, respectively. 
In 1881 there was a decrease, compared with the previous year, 
in the number of oxen, bulls, and cows of 68,859, and there was 
a decrease in swine and hogs of 26,757 ; the number of sheep and 
calves in that year had also diminished to 5747 and 2316 respectively. 
In 1881 the average price of beef per lb. was 5|d. ; of mutton 
per lb. 7Jrf., showing a decrease in the price of the former — as 
compared with the year 1880 — of 4 per cent., and an increase in 
the price of the latter of 4 per cent. 
STATISTICS OF DAIRY PRODUCE. 
The following remarks relating to Butter and Cheese are ex- 
tracted from ' The Grocer ' : — 
Cork Butter Market. — In the events of the past year itself there 
is little of note to refer to. It commenced with a prospect of brisk 
demand and a good sale for those stocks of first and second quality, 
which, as an act of precaution against the season of non-production, 
the Cork exporters must necessarily provide themselves with at the 
end of every season. These butters they select with the greatest 
possible care for their keeping qualities, and they are so well 
preserved in store that they turn out in Januarj', February, and 
March in very prime condition, and were it not for those supplies 
thus provided by the Cork exporters, the buyers of fine butters 
would be completely at the mercy of the foreigners in winter. 
Contrary to expectation, the demand dropped off early in the 
winter, and prices experienced a downward tendencj'^ till May and 
June, and some holders of stocks in Cork were punished severely 
by the fall. From June the turn in prices began, and in July Cork 
butter joined the upward tendency of other Irish butters, caused 
by the knowledge that supplies from America were about to fail in 
