The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-03-29

Lake Champlain. ......11O0 1861 1861
We give also record of ten cargoes of the
Dominion Line last season-giving the totals
only. 1t will be remembered that these YES
sells are of larger class than the Beaver Line
ships: Steamship Dominion 4 ,945 tons; Brook
Ign, 1858; Quebec, 1886; Dominion, 1858;
Brooklyn, 1851; Quebec, $3.50; Dominion,
4,673; Brooklyn, 3,6SS; Ontario, 4,43S; Toronto,
All. We give detailed exhibit of the out
ward cargo of the Ontario of the Dominion
Line CD her last voyage, March II: 10000
bushels corn, 1907 bushels peas, 22,366 BUSH
els wheat, 2,133 bags oatmeal, S25 sacks flour,
$50 bags pease, "a packages butter, 1912 boxes
cheese, 1,422 packages bacon, lard, &c., 99S bar
rels apples, 1873 barrels sulphate ammonia, so
barrels potatoes, 800 bags clover seed, 172 bags
wheat, 92S quarters fresh beef, 15O carcases
mutton, box tree cuttings (grafts), 222 sheep
and 239 cattle. This cargo is estimated at $3.50
tons, and its market value, at a moderate valu-
alton, over $247, 900. Two hundred thousand
the cargoes that have left Portland this Win
ter.
American cheese, butter and apples are
growing favorites in Europe, and the exporta-
ton OF these articles is increasing yearly at all
ports. OF the former article over 1900 boxes
were put into one ship here recently; into an
other 80 carloads. Last Fall the steamship
Peruvian of the Allan Line was detained by
the ice at Montreal, and it was necessary to-
send part of her cargo to Portland for ship
ment in order that it might arrive out before
Christmas. In the lot were eight mammoth
cneeses measuring four feet in diameter, and
weighing 6l2 pounds each.
The agents of these steamers assure Us that
they have not had to wait an hour for freight.
The amount in the sheds has always exceeded
their capacity, and more ships could have
found employment. Several extra vessels have
been employed however, to meet the demand
OF shippers. The cargoes have invariably ar
rived out in good shape, and we have heard
expressions from Liverpool consignees very
complimentary to the skill of American steve
dores in storing cargoes.
The character of the inward cargoes has
changed from last year and their values have
greatly increased. Bale goods have partially
taken the place of iron and its manufactures.
very large amount of tin has arrived this
season from Glasgow on American account.
Fruit has found it's way to Portland via Liver
pool for the first time this season; and there is
noticeable increase in the importatlons of
crockery.
Dressed Beef.
The expectation of dressed beef to Europe is
a new feature of American commerce, and so
far If has haop hoJ IT,,
pean prejudices to contend with, but those are
pretty generally removed; the novelty of juicy
American beef on English tables is no longer
remarked; on the contrary, Yankee beef has
become prime necessity to the average Eng
lishman, as much as bread from American
wheat; aud the business of supplying the for
eign markets is a growing one on this side the
water Portland is beginning to be famous in
this line. 1t was through this port that the
earliest exports were made; and as the true Sc
cret of preserving meat fresh through long
line of transportation has been gradually
reached, the demand from the other side has
increased. The Messrs. Swift Brothers, of
Chicago are the chief shippers from Portland
and Montreal. Mr.. S. 81. Wheeler of Boston
is partner in the firm and manager of the
business here. The meat comes for ward in re-
frigerator cars of the Chase patent (of which
patent the Messrs. Swift Brothers are the own
ers), and is kept sweet on the way by currents
of cold dry air. By this patent it is claimed
that beef can be kept fresh three weeks. Each
car is calculated to carry 125 quarters, and the
average receipts at Portland from the West
have been ten cars per week. All the steam
ers sailing from Portland have refrigerator
compartments, where the method of keeping
the meat cool is similar to that used in the land
transportation. The beef is wrapped in cotton
cloth and suspended from hooks in the roof of
the car, and goes on board the ship SO clean and
neat that the most fastidious housewife would
rejoice in the sight. The ships take from $50
to 400 quarters each; and they are delivered
on the other side in admirable condition. Not
single quarter has been lost this season. The
agents of this industry tell us that the ship
room offering is not sufficient for their need,
and hope thatanother year will bring larger
accommodations.
Live Cattle.
The expectation of live cattle, which last
year was almost entirely transferred from
Portland to Halifax, began again with the
present seasons steamship business and is
quite as large as in any previous year. About
225 head of neat stock on an average have
been taken by each vessel, beside considera-
BILE number of sheep. The process of loading
is very rapid. The cars are run down to the
store sheds and the animals are driven through
fenced passage way, right across the shed
down slip to the ships gangway, into the
stalls provided for them between decks. Two
| hundred head of cattle have been put on board
vessel in one and half hours. The live
stock on board the Lake Nepigon, which sailed
for Liverpool last week, embraced 40 beef
cattle and $50 sheep. The cars arrived at the
shed at p. m. and at 6 p. IN. the ship hauled
into the stream with her cargo completed. The
shippers tell US that the steamship companies
perform their contract admirably, and the cat
tie landed on the other side this season have
been in good condition, ard have sold readily
| The want of stock yard where TIE cattle Can
be rested before they go on shipboard is seri
ously felt. The railroad company has made
some arrangements to supply the want al
Island Pond; but Island Pond is $50 mile,
from the seaboard, and the yard there is moi
suitable for the purpose About five or si1
acres, with good water and sheds for feeding
would answer the present demand, and Eas
Deering, near the U. S. Marine Hospital, il
suggested as an eligible site. Two days be
tween the car and the ship ought to be allowed