Agricultural Report. [MARCH, 



the curse of English farming, and the ruin of many an English farmer, and starv- 

 ing of many a labourer. The wet, heavy lands have been broken up in massive 

 clods, affording no very promising seed-bed ; and where such have been manured, 

 there is little doubt but that both the time and charges have been expended in 

 vain : in such a case, and we decide from experience, the absence of weeds, con- 

 sequently root weeds, and subsequent effective aeration with the hoe, would be 

 far superior in profit, to a coat of the most forcing manure. We have lately wit- 

 nesseu on heavy lands, which were fallowed early in autumn, a mass of soil turned 

 up, with the stubble fresh and sound, and weeds in equal proportion, with myriads 

 of slugs and terrene vermin of every description. It was, however, beyond our 

 expectation to hear so much about weeds, as we have lately heard from the cele- 

 brated county, Norfolk ; surely Holkham must not be included. We have been 

 amused at the idea of killing weeds by feeding off rank wheat with cattle, because, 

 upon the lands of those whom we have known longest in the practice, we have 

 observed an ample store of weeds. As of wheat, generally, there is an uncommon 

 breadth of spring wheat sown ; and it is probable, with good husbandry, that all the 

 spring crops will be got early into the soil. Oats, beans, and peas, in the for- 

 wardest districts, are finished ; and barley sowing in such, began with the month, 

 and is now in a state of forwardness. Complaints are reiterated, indeed, increased, 

 as to the quantity and quality of the last year's crops. The wheat and beans 

 come out so soft as to be unfit for the granary, and prices are said to afford no 

 profit ; the same of live stock, which, it is averred, cost as much per Ib. in stones, 

 as they produce at Smithfield when fat. As to the fairs and markets, there seems 

 very little variation from our late reports ; they are in general amply supplied, 

 sale and price varying in different parts. The crop of potatoes was wonderful, 

 both for bulk and q'uahty ; indeed, such seems to be the prerogative of that valua- 

 ble root. They are literally unsaleable in many parts, and if at all, must be used 

 in stall-feeding. Hops are somewhat in demand. Wool, some few markets ex- 

 cepted, has again come to a stand-still. In Lincolnshire, and other counties, 

 where draining is much and meritoriously in practice, the labourers are well em- 

 ployed and satisfied, earning 12-v. and 14s. per week, and at task -work, 20s. There 

 is no fear of using thrashing machines. In too many parts, westward, the labour- 

 ers are in an impoverished and dangerously dissatisfied state. We had lately a 

 visit from a farmer, who informed us that, in his parish, one hundred and thirty 

 men and boys had no other resource than labour on the high roads at 3s. per 

 week that the gaols were in many parts filling with poachers from absolute 

 necessity ; and that great numbers were extremely desirous to emigrate, had they 

 the means or information thereon. This surely must be an object of important 

 consideration with our patriotic ministers, to whom we would recommend some- 

 thing effectual to be done in the case. Horrid incendiarism still lurks in the minds 

 of the discontented ; and the following fact will shew, that the vindictive act may 

 be excited by any cause of discontent, as indeed has immemorially been the case. 

 Two or three weeks since, the overseer of a parish in Berks, for doing his duty, 

 by acting according to the orders of the vestry, had his premises set on fire twice 

 in the course of three days, and few of the labourers would lend a hand to extin- 

 guish the fire, to which end men were obliged to be procured from a neighbouring 

 village ; and also as a nightly guard subsequently, a repetition of the crime being 

 fully expected. Such is the state of morals among the inferior classes in this 

 enlightened country ; and such the apathy and want of spirit with which the conse- 

 quences were met in the beginning, and even in its progress. The dreadful wicked- 

 ness is actually encouraged, and in the end, no man of property will be found to 

 undertake any public responsible office. 



Smithfield. J$eef, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 2d.-^Mutton, 4s. 5d. Veal, 5s. Od. to 5s. 10d. 

 Pork, 4s. 5d. to 5s. 8d. (dairy-fed) Rough fat, 3s. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 46s. to 76s. Barley, 24s. to 39s Oats, 15s. to 28s. 



The London, 41b. loaf, 10 d Hay, 50s. to 84s. Clover ditto, 63s. to 120s. 

 Straw 28s. to 40s. 



Coal Exchange Coals, in the Pool, per ton, 14s. 6d. to 22s. 9d. 



Middlesex, February 22nd. 



