232 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



ties crowded npori the markets towards the end of last year were the mere 

 result of a general want of money in the country. Hence the imports from 

 the Continent, arid recourse to the bonded corn, have been trifling, and even 

 'exceeded by our exports. Letters from Dantzic and other parts of the 

 Continent remark upon this as probable to have a considerable effect on 

 their prices, although their stocks of wheat, in no parts, are held to be super- 

 abundant. The prices of wheat in our own markets have had very little 

 variation of late; but the samples, of all but the finest and dryest corn, 

 have been much deteriorated as to the hand, by the constant moisture of the 

 atmosphere. Nor is much variation probable, until some speculative 

 judgment shall be formed as to the success of the future crop. 



Our chief imports of late have been seeds, linseed, and clover, with eight 

 or nine hundred quarters of peas, and some tares. In barley and malt there 

 is little variation of price. Beans seem most saleable. Peas,, oats, and 

 seeds are awaiting purchasers. In fact, all articles of the first necessity, in 

 our own country, which ought to be the happiest on the face of the earth, are 

 in exuberant plenty, and at prices which must be deemed low, since, in few 

 instance's, do they produce profit, or can they be afforded. In consequence, 

 we read of public meetings and of fine speeches, conveying an endless va- 

 riety of propositions, and remedies for the cure of our financial maladies, 

 and the improvement of our national circumstances. After all, the sum of 

 this matter, of such profound national importance, lies in a nut-shell ; 

 it is but to reduce our whole fiscal and national expenditure to an honest 

 and fair standard but the how to achieve this ? that is the only desideratum 

 of real consequence. 



Nothing can at present be said, with any degree of certainty, of the state 

 of the lands intended for the spring crops ; on that head we must refer to 

 our next report. The provision markets of the metropolis have been amply 

 supplied, and prices generally tending downwards ; in good truth and good 

 hopes, there seems a general tendency in old England towards that cheap- 

 ness of living enjoyed in former days ; an additional public blessing would 

 be, the exchange of a gin-drinking for a beer-drinking population surely, 

 in case of excess, the least of two evils. Wool continues a selling article at 

 a fair price, and all the imported fleeces find a ready market. This cer- 

 tainly speaks well for our staple manufacturers. 



The dead markets, by the carcase, per stone of 8lbs. Beef, 2s. 4d. to 

 3s. 8d. ; Mutton, 2s. 4d. to 3s. lOd. : Veal, 3s. 4d., 5s. 4d. ; Pork, 3s. to 

 4s. 4d. ; best dairy, 5s. 



Game, at Leadenhall Market. Pheasants, 9 to 10s. the brace, scarce ; 

 Partridges, particularly scarce, selling readily from 4 to 5s. a brace ; Hares, 

 3s. 6d. to 4s. each ; Wild-fowl, scarce ducks, 5s. to 6s. the couple; Wi- 

 geon, 4 to 5s.; Teal, Is. 6d., 3s. ; Woodcocks, 10s. a couple; no Snipes at 

 market ; Wild Rabbits, from 18s. to 21s. a dozen, and in great plenty. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 38s., 60s. ; Barley, 24s., 32s. ; Oats, 16s., 24s. ; 

 London Loaf, 4lbs., fine bread, 8^d. ; Hay, 60s. to 84s.; Clover ditto, 70s., 

 95s. ; Straw, 25s. to 32s. 



Coal Exchange. Coals in the Pool, 14 to 20s. per ton ; delivered to the 

 consumer at an additional expense of 9 to 12d. per ton. 

 Middlesex, Jan. 27. 



BAYLIS AND LEIGHTON, 

 JOHNSON'S-COURT, FLEET-STREET. 



