476 Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat 
no profit to the owner upon the original outlay. This result, in 
the hands of one of the best Norfolk farmers, has naturally 
induced great caution on the part of graziers generally in specu- 
lating in stock which are not yet well understood in this country. 
We now pass to the consideration of the increase in the dead 
weights of the sheep disposed of in the metropolis. Here, again, 
early maturity has produced results, as regards number and bulk, 
quite as striking as in the beasts ; indeed, our impression is, 
that they are of more importance to the breeders. Compared 
with 1839, the number of young fat sheep shown in the London 
Cattle Market in the last year has increased beyond any former 
period ; indeed, we may safely state that, at least, two-thirds of 
the supplies now offering are very little more than two years 
old, and it is frequently very difficult to purchase a pen of full- 
mouthed Downs, or other sheep, on any given market-day. Here 
— admitting that the sheep are bulky considering their age — we 
come to a point of great interest to the consumers — viz., has the 
supply of consumable mutton kept pace witli the wants of the 
people? We believe not. In a comparative sense, the size of 
the sheep has been well maintained; but faf has increased in a 
greater ratio than lean.. The consequence is, that meat is now from 
20 to 25 per cent, dearer than it was twenty years ago, and that a 
large portion of the produce is consumed by the tallow melters. 
So long as this state of things continues, so long sliall Ave have 
comparatively high prices, even though increased supplies of 
sheep may reach us both from Ireland and the Continent. In 
illustration of these remarks, we may direct attention to tlie 
annexed statement of the dead weights of the sheep disposed of 
in the metropolis, at the present time, compared with twenty 
years since : — 
Dead Weights of Sheep. 
1839. 
1860. 
Stones (8 lbs.). 
Stones (a R)s.) 
.. .. 11 
12 
.. ,. lOi 
114 
.. .. 10 
10 
.. .. 9i 
Hi 
Gloiicesteis and Gloucester Downs 
.. .. 11 
12* 
.. .. 11 
Hi 
.. .. 6i 
7 
.. .. 6 
10 
This comparison .shows that the weight of all breeds of sheep — 
South Downs alone excepted — has increased to some extent ; the 
excess is the more surprising, considering that there is now ;i 
striking difference in the age of almost every breed. In the 
weight of the foreign sheep there has been an increase of, at 
least, two stones (8 lbs. to the stone) since 1846. This must be 
