( XXIII ) 
Tlie quantity of meat impoi'ted in recent years (including pork 
and hams) was 2,942,319 cwts. in 1881, 2,288,087 _cwts. in 1S82, 
and 2,949,105 cwts. in 1883, 
The number of bulls and cows imported was 309,360 in 1882, 
and 427,445 in 1883 ; of swine and hogs, 15,670 and 38,803 respec- 
tively ; of sheep and lambs, 1,124,391 and 1,115,695 ; and of calves, 
34,340 and 47,117 respectively. 
In 1881 the average price of beef per lb. was old. ; of mutton 
per lb., 7i(Z. ; in 1883 the average price of beef was 6 ^cZ., and that 
of mutton 7§(f., which prices showed percentages of increase of 
12-8 and 8-8 respectively, compared with the prices in 1881. 
STATISTICS OF DAIKY PEODUCE. 
The following remarks relating to butter and cheese are ex- 
tracted from ' The Grocer ' : — 
Cork Butter Maeket. — The crash of the "butter corner" in 
America, and the fear of heavy arrivals from that country, largely 
contributed to the depression in the values of Cork butter in the 
opening months of 1883, and also considerably influenced the 
course of prices during the following season. 
The quotations for the new brands opened very high, at 141s. 
for firsts and 120s. for seconds; but within a month they were 
quoted at 101s. and 91s. 
Thirds and fourths fetched but very poor prices all the year, and 
will, very j^robably, occupy the same position henceforward, as the 
days of inferior butter commanding anything like a remunerative 
price have passed away for ever. Firsts touched their lowest point 
on July 6, when they were quoted at 95s. Seconds did not go 
below 88s. during the year, at which figure they were quoted on 
May 31, June 18, and July 7. The prices of mild-cured butters 
kept witbin a few shillings of corresponding brands in ordinary 
all through the year. 
The monopoly which the Wholesale Societj^ has got of the trade 
for the finer brands kept prices almost at a standstill for the 
summer months, and bids fair to destroy all healthy competition 
in Cork Market while the present system so completely plays into 
their hands, and prevents the possibility of the Cork merchants 
entering the lists of competition with this formidable antagonist. 
It was only in the months of September and October, when the 
Wholes lie Society began to take in their winter stocks, that the 
prices advanced. 
