430 
Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat 
have found it a matter of great difficulty to keep tteir cows alive 
liad it not been for the splendid crop of roots grown in this 
country last year. Although the restrictions compelling all 
cattle exhibited in the Metropolitan Market to be slaughtered 
within the four- mile radius from Charing Cross continue in 
force, the trade throughout has been steady, and the fluctuations 
in prices have been unimportant. Prime Scots and crosses were 
2d. per 8 lbs, dearer at the close than at the commencement of 
the first half of the present year. The general top quotation 
has been bs. per 8 lbs. The arrivals of dead meat from Con- 
tinental ports have been on a very limited scale ; indeed, this 
branch of the trade, which formerly occupied a rather important 
position, appears to have sunk into comparative insignificance, 
so trifling have the receipts lately been. 
Although the imports have been diminished by more than 
one-half, the supply of sheep exhibited has been fully equal to 
the number last year ; but the quality of nearly all breeds, 
arising from the scarcity of food, has shown a considerable 
deficiency. Prime breeds have, therefore, been in improved 
request at advanced rates ; but inferior sheep have moved off 
slowly. The large quantities of meat brought forward in New- 
gate and Leadenhall have prevented a serious rise in the quota- 
tions. The best Downs and half-bieds, in the wool, have sold 
at from 5s. 'id. to 55. 4f?. ; out of the wool, 4.v. ^d. to 4s. ^d. 
per 8 lbs. 
A large number of English lambs have been on offer, but 
only moderate receipts of foreign. The trade has been fairly 
active. At the opening of the season prices ranged from 8s. to 
9s., but they soon receded to 5s. 6c?. to 7s. per 8 lbs. 
The supply of calves has been somewhat limited ; neverthe- 
less sales have progressed slowly at from 4s. to 5s. 4rf. per 8 lbs. 
For prime small pigs there has been a healthy inquiry at full 
currencies ; otherwise the market has ruled heavy, and the 
quotations have been drooping. The highest price has been 
4s. iid. per 8 lbs. 
The hay crop has been very small throughout the country, 
but its quality has been good. The root-crops having proved a 
complete failure, a strong demand has sprung up for artificial 
food, and a good business has been transacted in linseed, rape- 
seed, and oilcakes, at advancing prices. The probable scarcity 
of fat stock during the winter has also caused more firmness to 
prevail in the tallow-market. The price of rough fat has ad- 
vanced to 2s. 2^d. per 8 lbs. 
The total supplies of stock exhibited in the Metropolitan 
Cattle Market during the six months were as under ; — 
