MONDAY.--There was a considerable and beneficial improvement in trade
to-day for everything, but not, however, permanent; at least, the causes
which produced the change this morning would not authorise a different
conclusion, and the salesmen of the market, although looking forward to
a very fair state of things next Monday, do not anticipate that the
improvement will last the next succeeding Monday. It appears that London
is clear of meat, the which, with small supplies of everything to-day,
is the sole immediate cause of the improvement, for, notwithstanding
that the market was well attended by both town and country butchers and
stock-takers, they, nevertheless, at the opening of the market, appeared
disposed to purchase briskly, on the supposition, according to the
returns of over-night, that the supplies were large, but when this
statement was discovered to be erroneous they then bought freely, and
higher prices were more readily given.
FRIDAY.--In consequence of the supply of beasts on sale being large for
the time of year, we have to report a very heavy demand for beef, and in
some instances the quotations declined 2d. per 8 lbs. From Scotland
nearly 200 lots were received fresh up. Prime old downs maintained their
previous value; but that of all other kinds of sheep had a downward
tendency. In lambs very little was doing, at barely Monday's
quotations. Calves moved off heavily, at a reduction of 2d. per 8 lbs.
The pork trade was unusually dull, at previous currencies. Milch cows
sold slowly at from 16_l._ to 20_l._ each.
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Prices per Stone. | At Market.
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Monday. Friday. | Monday. Friday.
Beef 3s 0d to 4s 2d 2s 8d to 4s 0d | Beasts 2,840 800
Mutton 3s 2d to 4s 4d 2s 10d to 4s 4d | Calves 149 373
Veal 3s 6d to 4s 8d 3s 6d to 4s 6d | Sheep and Lambs 32,840 9,210
Pork 3s 6d to 4s 8d 3s 0d to 3s 10d | Pigs 410 326
Lamb 4s 0d to 5s 0d 3s 4d to 4s 8d |
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Prices of Hay and Straw, per load of 36 trusses.
Hay, 3_l._ 5s. 0d. to 4_l._ 8s. 0d.
Clover, 4_l._ 4s. 0d. to 5_l._ 8s. 0d.
Straw, 1_l._ 18s. 0d. to 2_l._ 4s. 0d.