AGRICULTURAL REPORT' 12j 



invariably determined by the condition of the lands at seed time whether 

 in a good medium or too wet, or parched by drought. We have been over 

 some lands in Essex and Middlesex, on which the wheats appeared full, 

 rank, and forward ; but on the whole, we do not hear much complaint of 

 winter pride. In the West, the potatoes taken up late, were mnch damaged 

 by the wet ; they are however generally, we repeat, a good crop and and of 

 rare quality. Considerable quantities of barley have been threshed during 

 the present month, and the quality turns out full as bad as we formerly sup- 

 posed it would. The fine bears a miserable proportion to the black and da- 

 maged, unfit for malting, and the middling nearly in the same degree to the 

 black ; yet this extraordinary defect of quantity in malting barley has not 

 hitherto caused any very considerable advance in price. The crop of barley, 

 good and bad, is deemed a general average ; also of oats and beans. Peas 

 perhaps, in no quarter, reaching that height, but making considerable 

 amends in excellence of quality. In some few northern quarters, turnips are 

 actually described as an average crop, whilst taking them in their generally 

 defective state, a tolerable shift will be made in the Spring, from the reserve 

 of them in consequence of the plenty of grass and the mildness of the weather, 

 which even yet, continues, so that the cattle in many parts are still abroad. 



Hops, which some weeks since, appeared to be a rising market, have lately 

 experienced a sudden decline in price and demand, from the circumstance of 

 the duty being declared considerably above the public guess. Certain spe- 

 culators, it is affirmed, are likely to be touched unpleasantly by this unlock- 

 ed for turn. The wool trade still continues dull, the consequence of import- 

 ations, more especially with respect to fine or clothing wool, which we can- 

 not grow at home, from our rejection of Merino sheep, on account of their 

 deficiency in produce of mutton. Fruit in the cider districts, is laid at but 

 one-third of a crop, full bearing being a great rarity in the present season. 

 The quantity of cider made is in proportion to the crop. There is no de- 

 mand for new cider, but it is expected to revive in the Spring, on account of 

 the scarcity of malting barley. The metropolis, however, and most towns 

 have been well supplied with fruit, with the exception of one or two species, 

 a favourable invalidation of early predictions. Several weeks since, the 

 wheat market experienced a sudden advance, probably from the tenor of 

 Foreign letters, which quoted a brisk demand and rise of price on that side ; 

 the exports from thence, beside, had been greatly reduced ; another turn 

 has, however, succeeded, with a reduction of five shillings per quarter on 

 fine samples, and much more on the inferior. This seeond turn may have 

 been occasioned by the large supplies sent to market, as a rent- day resource 

 and a more considerable issue of the bonded Foreign wheat, in order to pro- 

 fit by the advance. Fat cattle have generally found a brisk demand, at, per- 

 haps, some advance of price, throughout the country, north and south, it 

 being on the eve of Christmas ; yet from several parts, a directly contrary 

 report is received, describing fat beef and even mutton as almost unsaleable. 

 We never fail now and then to encounter these market anomalies. Again, 

 among the fortunate districts, the exultations from which, we occasionally 

 quote, we have now the pleasure to class NORTHUMBERLAND, from whence 

 we have seen letters exhibiting the following comfortable statements : 

 " Crops here, above an average. Turnips a full average, of good feeding 

 quality. Stock of all kinds in demand at their late best prices." Yet in 

 the neighbouring principality of Durham, fat cattle and even sheep, said to 

 be slow of sale under a depression of price. Much anxiety has been ex- 

 pressed, in letters published on farming subjects, least a repeal or change 

 should be attempted of the present system of Corn Laws, in the new Parlia- 

 ment ; but this apprehension may be set at rest, at least for the present, 

 since Lord Althorp has declared publicly that, many other questions of more 

 pressing emergency must take place of that of the Corn Laws, which he held 



