145 
Cattle-weighing Statistics. 
hitrl to continually test and correct his judgment by the actual 
testimony of the steelyard. So it came about that in many 
instances a perfunctory compliance with the new law was observed, 
and while machines were put down by the authorities, they were 
either in themselves of insufficient capacity or so situated as to 
make the use of them difficult and tedious. In some cases the 
evasion was obvious and ridiculous, as where nothing more was done 
than to supply .some hurdles or other movable fence for the enclo- 
sure of a resisting and perhaps obstreperous beast on the platform 
machine previously erected in the market for weighing dry goods. 
It was thus evidently requisite that the Act of 1887 should be 
amended, not only for trade purposes but for statistical purposes as 
well. By the Act of 1891, therefore, the departmental powers in 
connection with the law, originally vested in the Local Government 
Board, were transferred to the Board of Agriculture, whilst the 
market authorities, to which the Act of 1887 applies, unless 
exempted by order, were henceforth required to provide and main- 
tain to the satisfaction of the Board sufficient and suitable accom- 
modation for weighing cattle. Fourteen scheduled authorities in 
England, five in Scotland, and three in Ireland are required to send 
to the BoaVd of Agriculture returns at such intervals and in such 
form and with such particulars as the Board, by order, prescribed, 
showing, so far as they can ascertain, the number of cattle entering, 
and the number and weight of cattle weighed at the market or fair, 
and the price of the cattle sold thereat. 
There is an application also of the Act to auction marts and 
sales by auctioneers which provides for similar weighing and returns. 
Having in view, then, the importance of a due observance of the law 
and of their new duties in respect of it, the Board of Agriculture 
issued the Memorandum of November 25, 1891. Herein it is stated 
that the Board of Agriculture, “ in determining the sufficiency and 
suitability of the accommodation for w'eighing cattle, will have 
regard to the following among other considerations, namely : — 
“ The convenience of the situation of the weighing machine to 
buyers and sellers. 
“ The supply of proper pens for keeping cattle together, both on 
entering and on leaving the machine.” 
“ The size of the machine and its capacity for weighing at one and 
the same time, if required, a sufficient number of cattle, including 
store as well as fat stock, so as not to unduly delay the business of 
the market, fair, or auction.” 
There is also a useful suggestion that, in case of setting up new 
machines, it would be desirable to communicate beforehand witli 
the Board as to the sufficiency of the proposed accommodation. Ere 
long, then, we may expect that the means will be afforded for the 
publication of reliable information as to the condition of trade in 
cattle among store as well as fat animals. 
At present nothing can be more tantalising and unsatisfy- 
ing than the statistics of his business provided for the British 
agriculturist. Their character and inutility are well illustrated by 
VOL. III. T. S. — 9 L 
