576 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



barley crop is in general sufficiently bulky, corn and straw ; but perhaps, barely 

 one-third of it was harvested in fine condition. The two-thirds, discoloured 

 and damp, and such as we have purchased in days long gone by, at 4s. 6d. the 

 four bushels. Some of the best of this, if kept a sufficient length of time, may 

 be saleable for malting ; the remainder must be chiefly the portion of swine. 

 Oats are a large crop, but have partaken, to a considerable extent, of the com- 

 mon misfortune of the season. Many samples are damp, and the straw, in 

 some parts, has been rusted by blight or blast. Clover seed has been well pre- 

 served, with this peculiarity in many parts, two-thirds of the heads have con- 

 tained no seed ; whence it is conjectured that, the haulm or straw will be so 

 much the more nutritious to cattle. If potatoes be not an average crop in point 

 of quantity, such effect may be attributable to a smaller breadth than usual 

 having been planted, since the quality is this year super-excellent. Such has 

 been the case in Scotland, we have no doubt. As to the boasted resurrection of 

 turnips, there appears to be a considerable flaw. Even Scotia complains of 

 turnips. Fortunately, the stock of hay and straw is large, for since the com- 

 mencement of the present month, easterly winds and drought have prevailed so 

 constantly, that in many parts, the pastures are as bare as a footpath. These 

 are serious considerations for cattle and sheep winterers, and necessarily reduce 

 their store price, even that of Sheep. Cows are cheaper. Lambs have lately 

 declined two or three shillings a head ; yet, we hear that at the great fair of 

 Weyhill, the number of sheep penned was not so large by twenty thousand, as at 

 some former fairs. At this fair, Mr. James Mills had the honour of providing the 

 king with a choice pen of South Down ewes to run in the park at Windsor ; a 

 good taste in our patriotic sovereign, who is, beyond question, fated to rank in 

 history, as the best king of his race. We say this from sincere conviction, 

 though sincerely radical. Pigs seem to maintain their late-year right and privi- 

 lege, of moderate numbers and high price, and now, especially, in the western 

 and bacon-eating districts. As an illustration, we will record, that, during our 

 residence in Hants ; many years since, indeed, we had a neighbouring and con- 

 siderable farmer, who had, during twenty years, consumed no other flesh meat 

 in his family, than bacon, the holy Christmas days excepted. With all our 

 complaints, and heaven knows we have too many just ones, we live in a land of 

 plenty. The crop of fruit has redeemed its reputation prematurely attacked, and 

 we can sweetly add, that the crop of honey is so large, as to reduce the price to 

 sixpence and sevenpence per Ib. However, by the by, we have purchased the 

 article both in Essex and Hants, at twopence, but in days of yore. Game in 

 profusion. The price of malt in the market accounts, a shilling or two above 

 the price of wheat. 



Several cattle have been lately poisoned by licking fresh painted boards. A 

 steam engine for agricultural purposes, has lately been presented in model to 

 the Manchester society, by Mr. Gough. We can at present, discern no pros- 

 pect, near or remote, of agricultural prosperity proceeding by steam. Hop- 

 picking is finished ; of the crop, in respect to weight and quality, and also of the 

 duty, we shall be able to speak more deservedly in a future report. On the 

 continent they have failed universally, and there is at present export demand 

 for France, Belgium, and Germany. Such was the occurrence about fifteen 

 years since. Detestable incendiarism still lurks in the perverted minds of our 

 country labourers. This in England ! 



The Dead Markets, by the carcase, per stone of 8lbs. Beef, 2s. to 3s. 8d. 

 Mutton, 2s. 2d. to 4*. Lamb, 3s. 4d. to 4*. 6d. Veal, 3s. to 4s. 6d. Pork, 

 3s. to 5s. 4d. ; Dairy ditto, 5s. Wd. 



Game. Pheasants, plentiful of late, 8*. the brace. Partridges 4s.. Hares 

 and Leverets plenty, 2s. 6d. to 3s. each. Grouse, 5s. a brace. Black game, 8*. 

 very scarce. The common wild fowl, plentiful and cheap. Good Teal fine and 

 plentiful. Woodcocks and Snipes scarce. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 44s. to 62s. Barley, 24s. to 35s. Oats, 1/s. to 25s. 

 London* Loaf, 4lb. 8^. Hay, 50s. to 80s. Clover, ditto, 63s. to 110s. 

 Straw, 2Qs. to 30s. 



Coal Exchange. Coals in the Pool 14s. to 22s. 6d. per ton. 

 Middlesex, Oct. 24. 



