AGRICULTURAL RETORT. 



the sale and raised the prices of cattle. Such has been, in some degree, the 

 effect ; and in our best fairs of the south, and in the fertile countries extending to 

 Lincolnshire, feeders have bought with spirit and some advance of price. The 

 market accounts, however, from most parts of the north, from Scotland and from 

 Wales, are of a very inferior description, the stocks of cattle offered for sale 

 being large, the buyers neither numerous nor eager to purchase, and the prices 

 considerably lower than they have been, In Wales, that centre of public com- 

 plaint, with too just reason we well know, cattle are said to be extremely heavy 

 of sale, at a price ten shillings a-head below that of last year ; and even sheep 

 and pigs are reduced in price and slow of sale. This depression and ruin of the 

 Welsh markets is attributed to the constant extensive importations of neat cattle, 

 sheep, pigs, and corn, from their Hibernian neighbours, for which there appears 

 no remedy short of growing all those articles upon as cheap terms as in Ireland, 

 an advantage, if at all, which can only be looked for in a thorough reform, which 

 shall give relief from all unnecessary charges and imposts. We repeat, with 

 pleasure, that drainage is still going on with spirit in the north, and in those 

 other districts which we lately named. This indeed indispensable operation, con- 

 fers at once a most important double benefit on the country ; the lands are im- 

 proved beyond the reach of any other means, and the labourers simultaneously 

 employed at good wages. Bone manure for turnips has come much into practice 

 in the north/and probably, for a first crop, excels every other; nevertheless, with 

 regard to the lands, it has not that permanent effect, according to old experience, 

 for which rich farm-yard dung exceeds all other. There is somewhat of a blank 

 in farming without an ample live stock. Such is our old-fashioned opinion. 



Herts still keeps up her wonted dignity of prosperity, and we have just now 

 read in one of the public prints, that her farmers declared THEIR SITUATIONS 

 TO BE MOST SATISFACTORY ! They have our hearty congratulations, with the 

 request, that they would impart their secret to the farmers of too many districts 

 which we well know to be so much in need of it. Sussex seems, of late, almost 

 ready to join Herts, in her high-sounding declarations. We have seen several 

 letters from Sussex and other parts, wherein great praise is bestowed on the pre- 

 sent system of corn laws, and equal dread expressed of free trade. Now, if we 

 recollect aright, some years since, when the present laws were first proposed, 

 it was the fashion to decry them in favour of those already in force, with a 

 warmth and apprehension similar to the manner of decrying free trade at pre- 

 sent. But it ought to be taken into consideration that the system of free trade 

 can never be established in this country until a reduction of taxes and the expen- 

 ses of production have been effected to the extent of enabling ours to compete 

 with the foreign grower. W T e have endured, for years, a monthly annoyance on 

 account of the pretended degeneration of the breed of English horses. We have 



just now been running over a few staves of the usual fair and market ditty 



a great number of ordinary horses, very few of any worth, those few obtained 

 extraordinary prices. 



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



Mutton, 25. 2d. to 3*. Wd. Lamb, Veal, 35. to 4s. 6d. Pork, 



3s. 8d. to 5. lOd. ; Small Dairy. 



Game at LeadenhalL Pheasants, good demand, 7s. to 8s. a brace. Birds, 

 (Partridges,) very scarce, 5s. a brace. Hares, plenty, 3s. 6d.. Wild Fowl of 

 all the usual kinds, plentiful. Ducks, 5s. Widgeons, 3s. 6d. Teal, 2s. a couple, 

 Snipes, plenty, Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. a couple. Woodcocks, scarce, 7s. a couple. 

 Grouse, uncommonly scarce, 7s. a brace. Ptarmigan, also scarce, 6s. Black 

 game, in sufficient plenty, at 8.?. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 41s. to 63s. Barley, 26s. to 3Qs. Oats, 14s. to 24s. 

 London Loaf, 4lb. 8^. Hay, 52s. to 80s. Clover, ditto, 63s. tp_J05s. 

 Straw, 25s. to 32s. 



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



***"" Nov - 26 ' PRESENTED 

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