210 
Statistics of Live Stock 
Beasts. 
Sheep 
and Lambs. 
Calves. 
Pigs, 
18C1 .. .. 
59,049 
266,249 
19,715 
25,919 
IStiO .. .. 
59,817 
243,804 
19,594 
21,510 
1859 .. .. 
48,841 
192,750 
14,764 
9,965 
1858 .. .. 
54,348 
163,840 
19,494 
11,315 
1857 .. .. 
51 ,155 
147,096 
18,273 
10,172 
1856 .. .. 
51 ,418 
131,472 
16,179 
9,707 
1855 .. .. 
55,222 
142,712 
14,905 
11 ,762 
1854 .. .. 
65,8S1 
145,406 
16 ,355 
10,440 
It Avill be seen that the largest shipping-ports on the Continent 
are Dordt, Hamburg, Harlingen, Medemblik, Rotterdam, and 
Tonning, from Avhich latter w e received upwards of 20,000 head 
of beasts. The exports from Hamburg have consisted of stock 
fed in Germany. The sheep have shown some little improve- 
ment in quality ; but they have been disposed of at very low 
prices — viz., from 18s. to 305. each. The Dutch beasts have 
come to hand in middling condition ; but some of those from 
Tonning — which have been crossed with some of our shorthorns 
— have realised fair quotations. On the whole, the weight of 
meat imported has rather increased. 
Although about 20,000 casks of tallow Mere held back by 
the Russians, at St. Petersburg, at the close of the season, evi- 
dently for the purpose of controlling the market here, the tallow- 
trade has ruled heavy, and prices have had a drooping tendency. 
Rough fat has consequently declined to 2s. Sid. per 8 lbs. ; 
nevertheless the present low value of the article has had but 
little influence upon the prices of meat. In periods of limited 
consumption a depression in rough fat has been generally fol- 
lowed by a smart decline in the quotations realised for both 
beasts and sheep. 
Within the last few months much discussion has prevailed 
amongst the agricultural body in reference to the present system 
of breeding stock for general consumption. On the one hand, 
those g<;ntlemen who have aimed at early maturity and prime 
quality have contended that, had it not been for the extension of 
the mixing of breeds by moans of crossing-, stock must have 
become unusually scarce and dear ; and on the other, that much 
danger may be apprehended from a wholesale destruction of 
pure animals. It is generally conceded that Jirst crosses have 
for the most part turned out remarkably well for the butcher ; 
but the degeneracy and loss of stamina which is remarked in 
various parts of England and Scotland are often attributed to the 
effects of a second and third crossing. In order to undcrstixnd 
how far the system has progressed, we have been at considerable 
