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XI. — Statistics of Live Stock for Consumption in the Metropolis. 
By Robert Herbert. 
DURING the last six months of 1863, the metropolitan cattle- 
market was somewhat heavily supplied with beasts, which with 
few exceptions came to hand in excellent condition, and met a 
ready sale at steady prices. The past may be considered as one 
of the most successful, if not the most profitable, seasons on 
record for the production of fat stock, as regards both England 
and Scotland, but in the beasts derived from Ireland no improve- 
ment has been apparent, and they have therefore changed hands 
heavily at moderate rates, notwithstanding that only 11,280 beasts 
were received from that quarter, against 14,820 in the corre- 
sponding period in 1862, and 14,340 in 1861. The supply 
from Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire com- 
prised 66,510 head ; being a slight falling off compared with 
the previous year. From various other counties, exclusive of the 
eastern districts, 21,250 head were reported; Avhilst from Scot- 
land the arrivals were on a fair average scale. 
Although the crop of grass" was deficient in most parts of the 
United Kingdom, and the quantity of hay secured was scarcely 
an average, most breeds of sheep made their appearance in greatly 
improved condition. The Downs, half-breds, Leicesters, Lin- 
colns, Kents, and Hampshire Downs especially were in prime 
order ; nevertheless, the mutton trade was in a healthy state, and 
prices were remarkably steady. Up to quite the close of the 
season lambs came forward in rather large numbersj and the 
sale for them was rather active at high rates. Calves and pigs 
were in but moderate request, and the supplies in the market 
were far from extensive. The annexed Table shows the total 
numbers of each kind of stock exhibited in the last six months 
the year 1853, as well as in those of the last four years : — 
Total Supplies of Stock Exhibited. 
Last half of year. 
Beasts. 
Cows. 
Sheep and Lambs. 
Calves. 
Pigs. 
1853 .. .. 
149,008 
3191 
860,800 
17,058 
15,284 
1860 .. .. 
145,420 
3015 
762,740 
15,766 
15,470 
1861 .. .. 
149,750 
3187 
774,260 
12,441 
20,116 
1862 .. .. 
159,450 
3148 
759,671 
12,579 
18,220 
1863 .. .. 
168,232 
3127 
761,070 
14,822 
17,550 
The excess in the total supply of beasts over that of the last 
six months in 1862 — 8782 head- — arose from large arrivals from 
the Continent, which rather exceeded 61,000 head against 37,843 
head in the preceding year. It follows, therefore, that the 
VOL. XXV. S 
