488 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



In some of the distant counties, it has been said, "there are more turnips 

 than sheep " which are then taken in to keep, at one penny-halfpenny each 

 per week, The stock of hay, and that of very good quality, is so large, that 

 it is not probable it can be sold and consumed during the present year. 



Cattle, during such a season in plenty, of course, have done well, and re- 

 munerated the breeder and grazier. There has been, of late, a small reduc- 

 tion of price. As to sheep, they have also done well on their proper, 

 namely, dry soils. The early lambing season commenced with the year ; the 

 general, in the present month. On good soils, the season has been success- 

 ful, and the produce large, with only the common share of unavoidable acci- 

 dents. But, at best, we consider our English sheep husbandry greatly defective, 

 and such is the opinion of various foreign flock-masters, with whom we 

 have had the opportunity to discuss the subject. Sheep are certainly a most 

 improper kind of animals for exposure upon heavy wet lands ; and upon 

 such, the loss of both lambs and ewes have been considerable. The sufferings 

 of these animals, which we have too often witnessed, form a tale of pity as 

 well as regret, at the losses thereby occasioned, and they have been consider- 

 able in the present season. The ewes, being at turnips, have been left in the 

 field, however wet and unfavourable the weather, up to their bellies in mud, 

 drenched to the skin, remaining on their legs for days and nights together, 

 having no place to lie down where they could take rest or sleep ; and in such 

 state of comfort, they have to bring forth their young ! Both lambs and 

 ewes naturally contract diseases, appropriate to such exposure ; and to finish 

 this tragedy with a farce, the heads of their proprietors seem so filled with 

 ideas of medicine and quackery in the case, as to contain no place for the 

 grand remedy of PREVENTION. Another example of the tender mercies of 

 cupidity, is the shearing a few sheep, loaded with wool, immediately previous 

 to sending them a long journey to market, in the most severe weather ; and 

 we have long been accustomed to see the miserable objects in Smithfield, shi- 

 vering with ague, and literally glandered ; a state in which their flesh cannot 

 be good and wholesome food. The rot is reported to have been lately disco- 

 vered in several parts, where it had not previously made its appearance. This 

 ever-periodical and extensive disease in our flocks, to our great national loss, 

 and the ruin of so many farmers, is, beyond all question, in a great measure 

 attributable to the interet mal entendu, interest ill understood to the neglect 

 of preventive measures. Wool, some time past, appeared to be upon the ad- 

 vance, and was worth 34s. per tod ; it has since declined, and considering 

 our vast imports, is not very probable to revive. 



Amid the almost general complaints from the country, we are cheered by 

 favourable exceptions, and the absence of all dissatisfaction. Those farmers 

 in all parts, who have been able to stock their lands with cattle and sheep, 

 and to bring them to market in good condition, are said to have done well, 

 the times and the state of the corn-markets considered. The general damp- 

 ness of last year's corn, even yet affecting the sample, is much against the 

 farmer. The accumulating distress of the ill-starred tillers of poor soils, is a 

 never-failing monthly topic ; and it is confidently averred, that great numbers 

 of such must be " sold up" during the interval between the present time 

 and Michaelmas next, unless they should be so fortunate as to be taken under 

 the benevolent protection of their landlords. 



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

 3*. Wd. Mutton, 2s. 4d. to 4s. 8d. Veal, 3s. 4d. to 5s. Od. Pork, 3s. 6d. 

 to 5s. Oc?. dairy. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 42s. to 64s. Barley, 22s. to 36s. Oats, 18s. to 

 22s. London Loaf, 4lb. Qd. Hay, 50s. to 80s. Clover ditto, 80s. to 100s. 

 Straw, 28s. to 33s. 



Coal Exchange. Coals in the Pool 14s. 6d. to 20s. per ton. Delivered to 

 the consumer at an addition of $s. to 12$. per ton. 

 Middlesex, March 25. 



