The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-08-22
Trancnortinp Fresh Meat.

K
/ ing article from the Philadelphia Recorc
announcing The arrival of that city Of shlE
| sreighted with fresh beef from Texas. Two
hundred and fifty cattle were slaughtered
| md dressed and packed in the steamer
Fire Fiv at Rockport, Texas. and the mPa'
was delivered in Philadelphia, after the
VOYAGE, in the hottest period OF the year
| It was pronounced upon its arrival TO be
sweet, sound. moist. and good.
The FREELY had been fitted up accord
ing to a patented plan. The result was
successful so far rs the preservation or the
meat was concerned, and the Record
saws it was sold at fair profit. The
company which made the experiment has
M establishment ut the wharf, where the
meat is kept rs securely as upon the vessel,
and where ii is sold to retailers.
H. is to be hoped that this plan Will prove
entirely successful. 1t would be greatly
beneficial to society. Were it practicable
to slaughter and dress cattle in the districts
where they arc raised, they would be killed
In far better condition than they ever are
after transportation or driving long dis
lance. Their meat would be in sounder
and better state, and could be eaten with
out danger Of evil effects. Then there
would be a saving of expense of transpor-
tation.
Indeed, the facility with which this mode
of supplying large cities could be conouct'
Ell would lessen the cost Of living, while IL
would improve the character of The lood
provided for dense masses of people. The
same plan resorted to to preserve meat on
the Fire Fly could be readily employed
upon railroad car, and dressed meat could
be transported anywhere in the land.
If it be good for the cities, it would also
be beneficial for the grazier OF the cattle
growing districts. 1t would diminish the
drawback upon his labor in commissions,
delay, loss of weight, and loss from disease,
which run up so heavily against him in the
taking of cattle alive to the great cities. It
would retain the offal in the districts where
The cattle were raised, aff,rding occupation
and encouragement to industry in those
localities, at the same time preserving a
great amount OF fertilizing refuse to benefit
the lands there, instead Of being lost, and
n mere cause Of offence in and around the
large cities.
A few years since o Professor GAMGEE,
of Chicago, advertised patent for the pre-
seryation Of dressed meats for many months,
or even for years, sound with their juices,
so that when cooked it could not be distiu'
guished from meat just killed. We have seen
specimens of meat thus preserved by the
Professor which seemed to carry out bis
promise. But rs this system has not been
heard from for some time, we take it that
the cost Of preservation by this 81 stem is SO
great that it is not practical.
Sooner or later we have little doubt Il
plan will he thoroughly matured by which
the cattle Of the plains may be slaughtered
near their native regions and the meat
transported safely and soundIy to distant
parts OF the world. Such plan would be
one Of great benefit TO mankind, the more
to be appreciated as population increases
1t will so fur to equalize the standard OF
comfort and protect society from the ext.
gency Of want OF food for subsistence.