The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-11 00:00:00

GREAT CHRISTMAS CATTLE MARKET

Notwithstanding the prevalence of the disease in cattle,
and the heavy losses sustained by the graziers in the
leading agricultural districts, the supply of beasts on sale
here to-day, for Chistmas consumption- was large, and,
with some few exoeptions, in prime condition. The num-
bers, it is true, were not equal to some previous years ;
consequently, the actual weight of meat did not exceed
what may be termed a full average; nevertheless, when
we consider the great excitement caused by the progress
of disease, and the amount of stock hold in most parts of
England, the show was a very good one. In some parts
of the country the crop of hay this year has turned out
deficient; but it must be admitted that the past has been
a most favourable season for the production of live stock.
There has been a great heat, a fair supply of moisture, an
abundance of grass, taking the country generally, and an
enormous crop of swedes and mangolds—thei:only draw-
back, in point of fact, having been a partial failure of the
turnip crop. The unusually high prices realised for stock
during the whole of the present year, although we have
imported largely from the Continent, have had the effect
of securing for metropolitan consumption a larger supply
of beasts than was at one time anticipated. The quota-
tions realised, however, were against the realisation of
large profits by the butchers.

The show of short-horns from Lincolnshire, Leicester-
shire, and Northamptonshire, was about equal to 1864.
Some of the beasts were of great weight, and produced
unusually high currencies. Amongst it were some re-
markably fine crosses.

From the west of England the receipts were only mode-
rate. Their quality, however, was certainly very good
especially the North Downs.

There was a remarkably fine show of Hereford; some
of which weighed over 200 stones. Various parts of Eng-
land contributed some very prime stock, for which there
was a fair demand.

The supply of beasts from Scotland was superb—indeed,
it has been seldom equalled. Strong prices were realised
for both Scots and crosses, many of which exhibited points
of great beauty.

There was about an average supply of beasts from Nor-
folk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire. The receipts
from the former county were unusually prime. The sale
for them, however, was not very active.
From Sussex some good stock reached us; but its
character was by no means first-rate. The supply of
Welsh runts was very moderate, both as to number and
quality.

The arrivals from Ireland were otherwise than prime ;
and those from our near grazing counties were unimpor-
tant. Not a few of the crosses were unsuited to first-class
buyers.

' The following return shows the numbers of beasts ex-
hibited, and the prices realised for them on the great days
during the last twenty-four years.

Prices.
Years. Beasts shown. s. d. s. d.
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863 10,370
1864
Mr. George Dickson exhibited a large number of re-
markably prime animals forwarded from Scotland, prin-
cipally from the counties of Aberdeen, Banff, Moray, and
Kincardine. Some of the best Scots were consigned by
Messrs. Knowles, Wishart, Stodart, Long-more, Beddie,
Reid, Bruce, Mitchell, Wilson, and others.

Messrs. Maid well and Hoyland had a fine show of beasts,
the property of the Earl of Harewood; Mr. Bruce, of Huntly;
Mr. Martin, of Aberdeen ; Mr. Wallace, of Turriff ; Mr.
Bryan, of Lyddington,

At the stand of Messrs. John Gillett and Son were 40
prime polled Scots, bred and fed by Mr. MCombie, of
Tillyfour. There were, likewise, 200 heavy bullocks
from Normanby.

Mr. Vorley had some good beasts from Mr. G. Philips
and Mr. Cooper, of Aberdeenshire. Most of the English
breeds on this stand were of great weight.
Mr. Duckworth exhibited some very prime shorthorns
and Devons, forwarded by Mr. Ploughrite, of Cambridge-
shire ; Mr. Hobbs, Lutterworth ; Mr. Hudson, Norfolk
and Mr. Overman, Norfolk.
Mr. Hicks, and various other salesmen, were well
supplied with good stock. Mr. Senior, of Aylesbury,
sent his usual fine collection.

Amongst the sheep—which, for the most part, came to
hand in fair condition—we noticed some fine breeds ex-
hibited by Messrs. Lintott and Son. They were the pro-
perty of Mr. Cox, of Sandrige, Herts; Mr. Crosse, of Godal-
ming ; and Mr. Nicholls, of Farnham.

Mr. Todd showed some very good Hampshire Downs
but the actual supply of heavy sheep, taking the marke t
generally, was not equal to last year.
Mr. Gurrier exhibited a large supply of good and prim o
sheep.

Mr. Locall had some fine sheep consigned by Mr. R
Oakley, near Luton, Mr. D. Hill, and Mr. Cantrill.
Mr. C. Burrell's stand was well filled with prime sheep.
Mr. Corfe and Mr. Ealand had a very good collection on
offer.