488 Agricultural Report. [APRIL, 



surprised by very flattering accounts of farming, from Cdrnwall, whence we least 

 expected such, as a county, in our opinion, too far divided from the best agricul- 

 tural instructions and examples. We have been far less agreeably surprised by 

 accounts from a very different and nearer quarter, of the stock of weeds, living, 

 increasing, and multiplying in the land. Though the letters be before us, we are 

 actually ashamed to repeat the contents. One friend, from whom we expected better 

 things (we trust he will excuse us), writes with much gravity, that his only reason 

 for drilling is to save two or three shillings per acre in seed. That being all, he had 

 better stick to his broadcast. It is said now, that farmers, desperate and hopeless, 

 manage their concerns on the spur of immediate exigency, wisely leaving the fu- 

 ture to shift for itself. In pursuance, their favourite crop is wheat ; which they 

 cast upon any tilts affording the best prospect of a crop. 



The barley and potatoe lands, yet unfinished, are in a course of operation, and 

 the red and white turnip soils are in a very forward state. The old story on 

 HOOKS, is again current in the woodlands. It is said, they are doing great da- 

 mage to the early sown barley which is above ground, there having been no 

 frosts, during several seasons to reduce their numbers ; and there seems to be no 

 other remedy than a gunner in every exposed field. In truth, there are men 

 enough out of employ. We have heard from several quarters of the gout in wheat, 

 which some persons lately have styled a new disease. It is, nevertheless, much 

 older than ourselves, and generally appears in rank overgrown wheats, the gouty 

 plants with their broad leaves and large stem more resembling oats than wheat. 

 The ancient practice of eating down too luxuriant wheat, to the very last blade, by 

 folding sheep, has been frequently recurred to, during the present season. We 

 have often known both heavy cattle and sheep employed in this business : an ex- 

 ample which we never dared to follow. 



As usual, in one quarter, turnips have continued useful to the last, in others they 

 have been rather expeditious in hastening to the seed stem. Sheep and cat- 

 tle food is universally plentiful, with no probability of its being otherwise during 

 the present spring. Generally, graziers complain that turnip feeding has not been 

 remunerative through the late season, from the early luxuriance of the plant occa- 

 sioning too great exhaustion of the root. Wool is said again to have become a 

 drug. Of hops, we know nothing at present. Clover and sainfoin seed are scarce 

 and dear ; the case of several other seeds. Import then must be the farmer's re- 

 source. As to live stock, fat or store, at our fairs and markets, an abundant plenty 

 continues the order of the day. The rot in sheep seems flitting out of recollec- 

 tion ; and this year's lambing season, on the whole, has been successful. Never- 

 theless, many, both ewes and lambs, have been lost through the severity or insa- 

 lubrity of the season, and the too well known want of care in British flock masters : 

 many heifers have slipped their calves. 



A new and additionally horrible trait has lately come abroad, on the subject of 

 INCENDIARISM. The women, in several instances, in the western counties, have 

 proved the instigators of their husbands, to this most detestable act ! and in various 

 instances, have been strongly suspected of actual perpetration. An inhabitant of 

 Berks, or Beds, cannot retire to rest without the awful dread of having his whole 

 property, family and animals, exposed to the risk of being consumed by fire, before 

 the morning's dawn. The least pretence of dissatisfaction, just or otherwise, is now 

 sufficient comply, or we fire your premises. We charge the whole of this na- 

 tional disgrace, as we ever did, on the apathy and lukewarmness of the magis- 

 tracy. 



Smilhfald.Heef, 3s. 2d. to 4s Mutton, 4s. to 4s. 10d. Veal, 4s. Cd. to 



5s. 4d Pork, 4s. 4d. to 5s. 2d. best dairy, 5s. 8d Rough fat, 2s. 8d. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 40s. to 74s. Barley, 24s. to 38s Oats, 15s. to 27s. 



The London, 41b. loaf, lOd Hay, 55s. to 86s. Clover ditto, G5s. to 115s. 

 Straw 28s. 30s. to 40s. 



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

 Middlesex, March 2Gth. 



