The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-12-21 00:00:00

THE MARKETS.

THE METROPOLITAN CHRISTMAS CATTLE MARKEL
The usual annual market for the sale of fat stock for
Christmas consumption was held on Monday, at Islington,
and has proved a fair success. At the Agricultural Hall this
year the Show was undoubtodly a good representation of
what the cattle-rearing interests of this country are capable
of. Both in point of number and quality the market on
Monday was fairly supplied. All the best breeds were well
represented. The past season has been exceptionally favour-
able' and throughout there was an abundance of good beasts.
The hay crop was unusually heavy, and in most districts a
good aftermath was secured. In addition the condition of
the pastures has enabled graziers to keep cattle on the
grass unusually late. At the present moment the best
hay does not reach the value of this time last year by about
20s, while choice clover is now 30s. per load cheaper. Roots
and feeding stuffs generally also have been had on easy
terms. These are important points to take into consideration
when estimating the results of the year's working. Basing
our expectations on these facts, and on the large proportion
of choice stock offered at the bi-weekly markets, we antici-
pated a good supply on Monday, and it is satisfactory to know
that we have not been disappointed The Christmas market
is an event quite as important as the annual Show at the
Agricultural Hall. There, of course, only the choicest
specimens are exhibited ; but at the market we have
the contents of the yards, and whilst in the one cue only
isolated and picked animals are offered, on the other,
by an examination of a number, we are in a position to
sfrike an average, and thus form a more accurate judgment
of the merits and advantages of each breeder. In sums
seas-ns the scarcity of fodder has compelled graziers to ths-
pose of their stock early, and in a half fat state, but c,nai-
tions this ye a* have not been such as to render this necessary.
We have had full yards to draw upon, and have been well
supplied in consequence. Hides have been fetching *ell
prices in the botth, and the result has been that, whereas
years ego nearly the whole of the supply from the north was
despa'ebed where it is now by many considered better to
send it in the shape of deadmeat, hence whilst the i.ee
trade has barely remained stationary, the growing wants of
London have been met out of the vast extension
which has occurred in the sister branch at Smithfield.
The show of American stock was not so arge
as was looked for, only about 400 head having
come in hand, and these was nothing special to
notice either in their quality or condition. The Scotch
supply, as usual, forms the most attractive portion of the
show. The number is hardly up to last year, but the quality
and condition have again been excellent. In fact, taken al-
together, this portion of the market was a marked success
There was a good show of cross-bred stock and a fair display
of Devons and Herefords. Numerically speaking Ireland
was well represented, and plenty of room for improvement,
both in quality and condition, was apparent. The foreign
side f the market was not well stocked. In addition to the
Americans above mentioned there were were a few Danish,
which sztd not call for any particular remark. About 300
beasts were detain,d at Deptford,

A dull tone has prt.vailed, beasts have been difficult to
move. Occasionally 6•. was realised but it was quite ex-
ceptional, and must not be taken as the current quotation.
The general top price was ss. 6d. to ss. Bd. per 81b., and
even at these quotations business WAS vet y sluggish. Many
really fine animals have gone off at a very low figure. As
regards sheep, business progressed very slowly, and as,
In the case of bebsts, the tendency was towards weakness.
The best downs and half-breeds were disposed of at
6s l'Od. to 7s. per Sibs. Calves more quiet of sale,
at about Ide rates. Pigs dull and unaltered, At Dept-
ford there were were about 300 beasts and about '5,000 sheep.
coarse and inferior beasts, 49. 6d. to 4s. IQd. ; second
qualify, 5s to 53 4d. ; prime large. oxen, Os. 41 to 6s. di;
prime Scots, 5% 6d. to 6s. ; coarse and inferior sheep, ss. to
Os. ; sec,,nd quality, 6.5. to Os. Bd. ; prime coarse woolled,
Cs 6d. to 6s. Bd.; prime Southdowns, Cs. 8d to 7s. ; large
coarse calves, 5s 6d. to 6s. ; prime small ditto, 6s. to 6s. 4d.;
large hogs, 3s. Bd. to 4a. ; small perkers, 45. to 4s. ed. per
81b. to sink the offal.

MARK LANE—MONDAY.
Owing to the dense fog which has prevailed business at
Mark-lane has been greatly interrupted. There was a mode-
rate attendance, but so little was done, that prices were
almost nominal. English wheat was in moderate supply.
The trade was quiet, and prices were about the same, but
had sales been forced, lower rates would be taken. Fair
supply of foreign wheat. Dealings were restricted at about
late rates. Fine malting barley was steady, but secondary
and grinding parcels were flat. Malt sold at previous cur-
rencies. In oats, not much was done, and prices word
about the same. For maize, the market was quiet at
previous currencies. BPans and peas were inactive and un-
altered. The 11 ,ur market continued dull and featureless.
METROPOLITAN MEAT MARK ET. _MONDAY.
Trade was again heavy this morning. The supply was
large, ami the following Wele the prices .—lnferior beef,
2s. 4d. to 3s. 44.; middling ditio,
84. to 4s • prime large
ditto, 4s. od. to 4s. 10d. ; prime email, 4s. to'4s. : veal,
is. to ss. 4d. ; inferior mutton, 3s. to Sc.Sd.: middling
ditto, 4s. to 55.; prime ditto, 65. to ss. Ed
; large pork 3s.
to 3s. 4d. ; small ditto, Ss. 10d. to 4s. per 81b. by the careau•

LONDON, M3llday, 1 PROVISION.
—The arrivals last week from
Ire‘and wale 6,255 hales Bacons and from foreign parts
Dec 6
27,263 packages Butter and 893 bales Bacon. The severe
weather has caused an advance in the finest quality of
Butters, Nnrmandy in casks selling from about 90s. to 1341.,
and superior quality in baskets 1385. to 142. The Bacon
market remains very firm without change in the vhdue of
sizeable, but at the close of the week stout and tat advanced
25. per cwt.