The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1915. LONDON’S CHRISTMAS BEEF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 32, 9 February 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1915. LONDON’S CHRISTMAS BEEF.

More than the usual amount of interest was centred in London’s Christmas beef trade this year owing to the war, and it was expected that prices would be high in consequence of the lesser number of cattle being fattened, and although the domestic demand had been reduced, especially for the choicer joints, the quantity of beef required for the Army at the front and for the soldiers training at Home, was a factor that tended to raise quotations. The result, the Christchurch Press tells us, was that prices were higher than for the. past thirty years, and the demand for the best was well maintained. The decline of the London Christmas cattle market has been gradual, and the smallest display on record was made this year. ' Although the occasion was not an ordinary one the, decadence of the institution is evident. The change, from the point of view of the raisers, and fatteners of cattle, has been beneficial than otherwise, as fat cattle are now disposed of more regularly through the winter months-, instead of being held back lor the London Christmas market, and causing a glut that-has frequently been disastrous to the sellers. Another change is that the heavy, overfed type has disappeared, and the cattle that now sell readily are neat, wellfinished, moderately-sized animals. Prices this year ranged from Bkl to 9 pi, an in some cases to Did per lb. Those prices were considered satisfactory, but the high cost of feeding stuffs reduced the balance of profit.