1831.] Agricultural Report. 233 



turnips, at the utmost, will not average at more than half a crop ; the quality of 

 the best, inferior ; those on heavy and improper soils, worthless. The last wheat 

 crop, as to quantity, seems yet descending in the scale. All seeds failed. It is a 

 speculation, we trust an erroneous one, that the spring crops may not, in the ulti- 

 mate, prove so abundant as has been generally prognosticated. The farmers of dry 

 and sound, if poor land, did well last year, both with their corn and cattle ; neverthe- 

 less, complaints of the exorbitance of rents and tithe are universal, whilst the mania, 

 for farming is so epidemic, that on notice of an estate to be let, the competition is 

 usually so strong, that a higher rent is obtained than even a proprietor could pos- 

 sibly contemplate in times like the present. This information we received a few 

 days since, from a country friend and witness of the fact in various instances. 

 From some quarters, but in none of which we have personal knowledge, we hear of 

 rents as high as those of 1800 ; and also of an unfortunate demur as to the pro- 

 mised advance of labourers' wages, on the allegation, that the tenantry are unable 

 to fulfil the engagement, independently of the aid of their landlords. The allow- 

 ance of small portions of land for the labourers, has ever proved successful, and 

 ever must be so, from the very nature of things ; but under the present defective 

 system, or even perhaps under any system of culture, it will be found impossible to 

 keep down the surplus, such a perpetual tendency subsists to the increase of popu- 

 lation. Whatever may be said of emigration, men had far better become industrious 

 and thriving colonists, than starvelings and rioters at home ; but though we can 

 afford to build magnificent churches, splendid palaces, playhouses, and squares, we 

 have not the means, it would seem, of exportation for this most valuable species of 

 live stock. The rot in sheep continues to spread far and wide, even upon land 

 hitherto unsuspected, and has proved the utter ruin of many small farmers. The 

 long continuance of moist weather is the cause, and the remedy can only be ex- 

 pected from a change. The prices of all produce seem on the advance. The stocks of 

 wheat, whether in this country or upon the continent, have not been so reduced, dur- 

 ing many years, as at present. In America, they have been more fortunate, and con- 

 siderable supplies, if needed, may be obtained from thence. The quality of all 

 grain, in Scotland and Ireland, is reported as particularly inferior. 



Smithfield Beef, 3s. to 4s. 6d. Mutton, 3s. to 4s. 6d Veal, 5s. to 5s. 8d. 

 Pork, 4s. 2d. to 5s. 4d. Rough fat, 2s. lOd. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 60s. to 84s. Barley, 32s. to 50s Oats, 21s. to 34s. 

 London 41b. loaf, lOd Hay, 40s. to 100s. Clover ditto, 55s. to 110s. Straw, 

 30s. to 40s. 



Coals in the Pool, 29s. to 38s. per chaldron. 



Middlesex, Jan. 2lst. .. . . 



MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT. 



SUGAR. Muscovadoes have been in general and rather extensive demand; in 

 the refined market there is little alteration in prices ; the mild state of the weather 

 promises an early spring trade. The sale of crushed has been very limited, but 

 no alteration in price has taken place ; fine descriptions entitled to the double 

 refined bounty are still inquired after, but the offers are rather under the quota- 

 tions, for which the refiners are at present holding East India Sugar. The Man- 

 nillais a shade lower, the White Siam, 21s. to 25s. ; low to good white soft China fine 

 yellow, 13s. 6d. to 21s. which is Gd. to Is. lower. Foreign sugar. The purchases bv 

 private contract are parcels of brown to low yellow ; Havannah, 21s. to 23s. ; 170 

 chests white Pernamlow, to good white, 2Gs. Gd. taken for refining. 



COFFEE .There has been extensive purchases by private contract. In foreign 

 and East India Coffee, at rather higher prices ; for St. Domingo, 35s. fid. has been 

 paid ; good old Havannah, 33s. to 36s. ; fine old, 3Gs. Gd. to 37s. Gd. ; old Batavia, 

 31s. Gd. to 33s. Gd. The Jamaica Coffee is steady in price ; Demerara and Berbice 

 Coffee, dull ; East India Coffee, sold Is. higher ; good Ceylon, 34s. to 35s. ; old 

 Sumatra, 28s. to 28s. Gd. The market is firm. British plantation same as usual. 



RUM, BRANDY, HOLLANDS The transactions have been more extensive this 

 week, owing to the rapid advance of the Corn Market. The chief purchases are 

 still in Leewards proofs, at Is. 9^d. and 5s. over, at; Is. and 10s. In Brandy and 

 Geneva there is no alteration ; Jamaica Rums are held for higher prices. 



HEMP, FLAX, TALLOW The Tallow Market remains very steady. In Flax 

 and Hemp there is no alteration. Stock of Tallow in London 1830: 38-295. 



1831: 51-048 Delivery weekly 1830 : 1-5G1 1831: 1-175. Price Mondays 



1830 : 34s. to 34s. 6d. 1831 : 47s. 3d. 



M.M. New Series. VOL. XL No. 62. 2 H 



