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ischiopubic symphysis and the dressing of the buttocks were very imperfectly
performed. Those defects detracted very much from the appearance of the meat.
The carcases of mutton and lamb were better dressed than the beef, but many of
the carcases were those of old ewes, due no doubt to the tendency to retain
sheep as long as possible "for wool," very high prices being realised for this commodity;
but just as beef from aged cattle cannot compete with that from young
cattle, so mutton from old sheep will never establish a good name for Australian
mutton in Smithfield Market.
A small consignment of meat, treated by the " Bullot Process," arrived,
but it did not find favour with those who saw it. Some of it was "bone tainted."
The inspection of Australian meat was, as usual, good as can be observed by referring
to Table No. 8.
NEW ZEATAND.—Beef from this country was a negligible quantity, generally
from old cows and very badly dressed. A considerable quantity of veal arrived.
This was of medium quality and the dressing not very well done. The carcases
of mutton and lamb were, as usual, well dressed, of good quality and well graded.
Those necessary conditions, coupled with a regulating of the quantity to arrive,
maintained prices at a high average throughout the year.
The inspection in New Zealand was, as usual, good, e.g., vide Table No. 8.
HOLLAND.—The quality, grading and cleanliness of meat sent from Holland
was, as usual, of a high standard.
Holland takes pride of place for depositing in Smithfield the right type of
pig carcase, e.g., apparently a cross between the "Middle" and "Large" White
types, from which there is derived, what the butcher desires, viz., a long back and
loin and short plump legs from a pig which arrives quickly at the desired
weight suitable for the market. Any British farmer intending to begin pig breeding
and feeding should visit the market at Smithfield and take this type as a model.
The number of carcases destroyed as unfit for food was small, when the
quantity sent is taken into consideration, e.g., Holland consignors deposited in the
Smithfield Market, on Christmas week, 25,000 pig carcases in 24 hours.
CANADA.—A quantity of "Chilled" beef and a small quantity of " Chilled "
lamb arrived from Canada; unfortunately, most of the beef was from young cows
and the agents stated that they understood a loss was sustained on the attempt to
establish a trade in "Chilled" beef. It appears that it is more profitable to send
the animals alive to Birkenhead and kill them there. The meat from those animals
need not be labelled "imported" when offered for sale in a butcher's shop.