

. 



600 Monthly Agricultural Report. [MAY, 



the wheat fly, which we have before acknowledged ourselves unable to understand, 

 since we have ever found the mischief to be completed by the insect in its 

 pediculous state, ceasing with the malaria, or atmospheric blight : and her com- 

 plaints are now loud against the same exorbitant rents as formerly being insisted 

 on, in their most fertile lands, the Lowdens, Mid-Lothian particularly, notwith- 

 standing certain unfavourable circumstances have of late years rendered it impos- 

 sible for the farmers of those districts to afford such. The apprehended conse- 

 quences are, the necessity of throwing up those fine farms and timely emigration. 

 In Scotland, cultivation in general, was never before known so forward as in the 

 present season, never perhaps so well performed. The Scots, however, according 

 to the eager temper of the times in all things, have exceeded us in an over culture 

 of potatoes, to that degree indeed, that they no longer afford a profit on the cul- 

 ture, 552 Ibs. of the best quality being sold for 7s. In London, 13 Ibs. of the best 

 potatoes may be bought for 6d ., the lowest price we have ever before known. Our 

 northern border seems to partake, in a considerable degree, of the advantages of 

 Scotland. 



Having stated the great change which has occurred in respect to the grass lands, 

 turnips, and fodders, nothing of novelty remains as to the state of the lands, or of 

 live stock. All culture is in a forward and prosperous state ; early seeding has 

 been the favourite plan of the present year, and most rationally. The little rain 

 lately fallen, has pushed above ground, plants which, from the drought, had been 

 hidden beneath nearly six weeks. The turnip and potatoe lands are in all forward- 

 ness. Live stock, both store and fat, abundant in all fairs and markets, with a 

 tolerably brisk demand in some parts ; but, on the whole, rather reduced in price. 

 Even sheep, not of prime quality, difficult of sale. Horses, as usual, an over-stock 

 of the inferior kinds, of the superior a scarcity, at a high price, with the additional 

 and late information that, the breed of horses is supposed to have degenerated in this 

 country. We have, during some years, rather inclined to that opinion. The easterly 

 winds, and vicissitudes of temperature, which still linger, have had a much more 

 unfavourable effect on the animal creation, than on the vegetable. The sickness 

 and mortality among the horses of all descriptions, has been great ; and the partial 

 losses of ewes and lambs are attributable to a similar cause, which, as usual, has 

 produced hydrophobia in the canine race, to a considerable extent, particularly in 

 Wales, and the adjoining districts. For wool, there is scarcely any demand. 

 Feeding off the rank wheats with sheep, has been nearly universal, and where 

 done sufficiently early, any probable risk is more surely avoided. The lambing 

 season, on the whole, successful, with a fair proportion of doubles. Our landed 

 gentlemen are, very discreetly, by degrees, giving up the rigours of preserving 

 game, of which Sir Henry Hankey, of Suffolk, is a meritorious and patriotic 

 instance. The distant counties seem to have enjoyed the benefit of rains, beyond 

 our experience in this. Weeds still a favourite culture ; we hear from various 

 quarters, of docks, thistles, and couch, equalling the wheats in height and luxuri- 

 ance ! If fine crops like these wont pay rent and taxes, what will ? Neither 

 sheep nor cattle feeding, by consequence, turnips also, have repaid the grazier, 

 chiefly from the high price given for the store stock. 



Incendiarism is now fortunately on the decline ; yet, in several quarters westward, 

 great complaints are made of the dissolute and dissatisfied conduct of the labourers, 

 notwithstanding wages have advanced to the utmost that can be afforded, with 

 other advantages for their benefit. We are happy to find from correspondents in 

 Lincolnshire and Essex, particularly from Suffolk, our opinion approved as to the 

 necessity of a permanent plan of emigration, the facilities of it to be furnished by 

 the parishes and the state jointly. 



Misprints in our last for best, read least for pliable, read friable. 



Smithfield.Reef, 3s. to 3s. 8d. Mutton, 3s. lOd. to 4*. 8d. Veal, 4s. 6d. to 

 5 5 . 4d.Pork, 4s. 4d. dairy do. to 5s. 8d. Rough fat, 2s. 6d. 



Corn Exchange Wheat, 48s. to 75s. Barley, 21s. to 37s. Oats, 15s. to 28s. 

 London Loaf, 4 Ib. lOd. Hay, 58s. to 100s. Clover, do. 80s. to 120s. Straw, 30s. 

 to 40s. 



<Coal Exchange Coals in the Pool, per ton, 1 4s. to 22*. 

 Middlesex, April 22rd. 



