The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-13 00:00:00

GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE MARKET,

(THIS DAY.)

From the fact that the past season has been an unfa-
vourable one for the production of fat stock, it was, at one
period, pretty generally imagined that the supplies of
beasts fit for Christmas consumption—and which are in-
variably shown at this particular period—would have
exhibited a material falling off, both as to number and
quality. The result of this day's proceeding, however,
has completely falsified the anticipation. We have in-
timated above that the rearing of good stock this year has
been a most difficult affair. All who have narrowly
watched the numerous changes in the temperature, must
agree with us that the graziers have had to contend with nu-
merous disappointments, and in some instances, with heavy
losses. For instance, the countrysuffered considerably from
the want of moisture during the months of April and nearly the
whole of May : hence, the quantity of grass in the pastures
was quite inadequate to meet the usual consumption ;—both
beasts and sheep were kept upon dry food quite two months
beyond the usual period, and the whole of the winter stock
of hay was speedily consumed. Later in the season, suc-
culent food became somewhat more abundant ; but, during
the last 12 weeks, such has been the "puddled" state of the
land, at least two thirds of the stock which ought to
have been depastured, have been taken into yards, closes,
&c. It will, therefore, be perceived that good grounds
existed for supposing that the show here this morning
would have exhibited a great deficiency compared with
former years. As a proof that we have not over-
estimated individual losses, we may observe that fully
one-half of the beasts derived from the Northern
counties this year, have been in very little more than in
a half-fat state. There is one redeeming point which we
must not fail to notice—viz., the uniform good health
the beasts and sheep have secured ; indeed, the losses by
disease and other casualties, have been small in the ex-
treme—certainly not one-fourth of many preceding sea-
sons. It has been observed that, since the passing of the
tariff, the value of meat has never ruled so steady as during
the whole of this year. That such has been the case, we I
do not deny ; but our readers will bear in mind that the
home-production—although the numbers of stock on sale
here have been extensive—has not kept pace with the de-
mand, which has been freely met by the importers from
the Continent. It is not enough for us to be informed
that there have been large arrivals, the question for us to
consider is—what is the available supply of food ? Again,
the advance in the value of hides, rough fat, &c., has given
a slight impetus to the trade : but, above all, we may refer
to the enormous consumption of meat going on. This con-
sumption is very little more than half met by Smithfield.
Railway communication, and the great activity in most
branches of commerce in our leading districts, have opened
up markets which, at one time, were entirely closed against
those who have embarked their capital in various ways.
The rise in the price of rough fat, since December last, has
been very nearly id per lb—it being now quoted at 2s Bd,
against 2s id in 1851. This, of course, tells largely ; but
the improved price is almost wholly the result of the small
shipments of Tallow from Russia and other quarters, in-
cluding South America.

The proceedings in Baker-street, last week, are calculated
to inspire us with much confidence on the future success
and increased usefulness of the Smithfield Club. The
numerous changes in the mode of classifying the beasts
have given great satisfaction to those immediately inte-
rested ; nevertheless all parties are agreed that more might
be done by which the show might be greatly improved.
Now, it does not require much consideration to prove that
the very best stock has been neglected, owing to the
miserable prize offered for it. The Scotch breeds have
long stood pre-eminent for their fine quality and splendid
symmetry, and yet the leading object of the promoters of
the society has been defeated from a want of due con-
sideration to perhaps the best description of beasts in
the whole world.

Railway accommodation has been severely put to the
test to bring up the enormous number of bulky animals
shown here, and it is calculated that from 500 to 600
engines were employed yesterday upon the various lines to
bring the stock to market. The mode in which they have
come to hand reflects great credit upon the officials, and
has secured to the graziers a much larger return than if the
stock had to travel on foot. No accidents worthy of notice
have been reported, and, taken as a whole, the proceedings
have passed off remarkably well. This is perhaps the last
time that we shall have occasion to report the holding of a
" great" market in Smithfield, as it is pretty generally hinted
that the next great day will be held in Copenhagen Fields.
Whilst admitting that the area of the market was inadequate
to contain the whole of the stock—large numbers being exhi-
bited in Giltspur-street and on Snow-hill—every effort was
made by the City authorities to prevent confusion and in-
convenience.

At an early hour the influx of visitors was very great,
and they continued to pour in throughout the day. To
the numerous foreigners present, the sight must have been
a most remarkable one, for we can scarcely imagine that a
similar exhibition to the present has ever been met with
on the ibutinent.

As regards the merits of the beasts shown, we may ob-
serve that we have seen them equalled, but never excelled.
In the first class, for weight, we may place the
short horns; in the next, for weight and sym-
metry, the Herefords ; in the next, for general
usefulness, the Devons. The show of Scots was remark-
ably good, and not a few were of heavy weight, especially
those from Norfolk and Aberdeen. From nearly every
county in England, stock came to hand, and amongst
which we noticed some fine Sussex oxen and Pembroke-
shire runts in first-rate condition ; and which sold at com-
paratively high prices. There were several remarkably
fine short-horned heifers from Lincolnshire, as well as
some old Durhams, and a small sprinkling of Irish breeds.
Very few home-breds were on offer, and it is a cause of
regret with some parties that this peculiar breed has been
so much neglected of late years.
The following are the numbers of beasts exhibited, and
the prices obtained for them, on the great days, during the
past 13 years :

Beasts shown.
5,074 ..
3,528 ..
4,500 ..
4,541 ..
4,510 ..
5,713 ..
5,326 ..
5,470 ..
4,282 ..
5,942 ..
5,765 ..
6,341 ..
6,103 ..

Prices.
.. 3 4 to 5 0
.44 „ 5 8
38„ 5 0
34„ 4 8
.28 „ 4 4
.30 „ 4 6
• 3 6„ 4 6
• 4 0..., 5 8
.34 „ 4 8
34„ 4 6
. 3 0 „ 310
.28 „ 4 2

During last week, the imports of foreign stock into Lon-
don were seasonably good, but of very middling quality.
The total supply amounted to 4,869 head, against 3,528
during tne same period in 1851 ; 5,734 in 1850 ; 3720 in
1849 ; 3,155 in 1848 ; and 1,913 in 1847. On the Dutch
coast the navigation is still open.

IMPORTS INTO LONDON LAST WEER.
Beasts. Sheep. Lambs.

From
Hamburgh
Amsterdam
Antwerp__
Harlingen
Ostend
Dordt
Rotterdam.-

Calves. Pigs,

1,313
254

1,432

Total .... 399 ... 3,965 .
The yearly comparison of weekly imports is as under :
Beasts. Sheep. Lambs. Calves. Pigs.
1851 567 ... 2,574 ... ... 462 ... 25
1850 859 ... 4,473 ... ... 369 "'33
1849 533 ... 2,937 ... ... 239 ... 11
1848 625 ... 2,432 ... ... 96 ... 2
1847 258 ... 1,584 ... ... 71 ...
The following are the imports of foreign stock into the United
Kingdom during the first ten months of the present and
two previous years :—.
1850. 1851. 1852.
Beasts
Cows
Calves
Sheep 103,677
Lambs
Pigs
We have already observed that the show of beasts here,
this morning, was a most excellent one, and we now pro-
ceed to detail individual merits. Mr. Robt. Morgan had
certainly the finest lot of beasts in the market. Amongst
the stock consigned to Mr. Morgan were some wonderful
short-horns and other breeds, fed by Mr. Wm. Goodall, of
Deeping ; Mr. W. Goodall, of the same locality ; Mr.
Robert Cook, of Portland ; and Mr. Cooper, of Swines-
head. There were likewise shown on the same stand some
splendid cattle from Scotland, belonging to Messrs.
Knowles, Milne, Cooper, Thompson, and others, from
Aberdeenshire. Several fine animals came from Norfolk,
bred by Mr. Felton, of Minton ; Mr. Robt. Leeds, of
Lexham ; and Mr. Pestle. One of the beasts shown
by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, in Baker-
street, was offered by Mr. Morgan. Mr. Daniel
Maidwell had a very_ fine show of Scots, especially
the thirty sent by Mr. M'Combie, from Aberdeenshire.
Mr. Vorley exhibited several fine heifers, the property of
Sir Charles Knightley ; and some prime ones, fed by Mr.
Cooper of Hilbray, near Aberdeen. Mr. Thomas Dixon
brought forward several lots of well-fed animals, sent by
Mr. T. Clark of Banbury, and Messrs. Walsham and
Taylor of Long Sutton, Lincolnshire. He had also on sale
a very fat heifer, belonging to the Marquis of Exeter ;•
and some fine heifers, the property of Messrs. Duckett of
Bermondsey. Mr. Gurrin had an extraordinary fine show
of Scots.

... 503

The supply of sheep was a good one, and by far the
finest lots offered were by Messrs. Weall, who had thirty
very fine Downs, fed by E. F. Whittingstall, Esq., of
Langley Berry, Herts. 100 superior Gloucester ewes, for-
warded by R. Rowlands, Esq., of Creslow, and several
lots from Oxfordshire,lßerks, and Herts. Messrs. Gibblet
and Gunin exhibited 20 fine Cotswolds, bred by Mr. W.
Hewer, of Northleach, Gloucester. We also noticed some
well-bred sheep in Messrs. Whitbread and Starkey's pens.