[ 218 ] [FEB. 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



THB past autumnal season, succeeding the drought of summer, was eminently favourable 

 to vegetation, and grass on good soils was actually growing at Christmas. The state of 

 the lands has been equally favourable for all the various operations of husbandry, which 

 were never more forward, and the lands never worked better, that the spring culture, 

 should no future obstruction arise from tbe weather, will be among the earliest. This is 

 an addition to a considerable series of propitious autumns. The late change to frost, the 

 commencement of which was severe, had a favourable effect on the too forward and luxu- 

 riant wheats of rich lands ; at the same time, withering and discolouring the foliage of 

 those on lands of an opposite character, particularly poor cold clays. The mildness 

 of the frost subsequently, and some cover of snow, have thus far prevented any damage to 

 the root. This forwardness of business, moreover, affords good opportunity for the pre- 

 paration of manures for top-dressing and future use. The considerable and constant supply 

 of grass, the land at the same time being not too wet to carry stock, has enabled the 

 farmer to economize both hay and straw, which may be in high requisition in latter spring, 

 though the present frost augurs favourably for mildness in the season which is to follow. 

 Straw, nevertheless, which has been used freely, in order to the greatest possible saving of 

 hay, is at an uncommon price. The worst feature in the husbandry of live stock, is the 

 condition of sheep, penned upon poor turnips, or rather turnip tops. One would suppose, 

 that the sheep would pay for more comfortable lodging, and for the expence of drawing 

 and carting the turnips to them ; and more especially to those who had occasion to send 

 their sheep to a market. 



In several hilly poor land districts, the proprietors have commenced plantations a good 

 and solid boon to their posterity, and at the instant affording employment to labourers, 

 in such bitter request. The accounts of the state of the agriculturist labourers, long since 

 too numerous a class to obtain a just and fair support, under the present, or any expected 

 state of farming concerns, yet remain most distressing. This distress is, in a degree, 

 alleviated by the judicious plan adopted in some few counties, of the farmers employing 

 all the labourers of the parish, each in proportion to his occupation. When it is considered 

 that those unfortunate people, in no way contributing to their unfortunate lot in society, 

 have become outcasts and beggars, in a land super-abounding in all the necessaries and 

 luxuries of life, can it be wonderful that they became alienated and desperate, and that 

 the country is overrun with thieves and poachers. With respect to the latter class, they 

 allege, in excuse for their delinquency, in the first place, their starving and desperate 

 situation ; in the next, that they are making seizures from a stock, which is monopolized 

 and unjustly withheld from public use. The complaints also of the farmers, from almost 

 all quarters, against the immense waste of corn occasioned by game preserves, if not loud 

 are deep ; and should any unfavourable turn occur in the agriculture of the country, these 

 complaints will be loud. Were it allowable to wonder at any thing, surely an impressive 

 feeling of that kind, must be excited by the marvellous patience of the good people of. this 

 country, under this flagrant feudal breach of their rights, with all its concomitant enor- 

 mities, dissolution of morals in the labourers, corruption in the keepers, petty warfare in 

 society, murders, horrible and apalling accidents. These national disgraces, too, are evidently 

 on the increase. A further degree of admiration may fairly be indulged, at the equanimity 

 and forbearance with which the country submits to the organized body (a regular concern) 

 of HOUSE STEALERS. To preserve the old proverb from being obsolete, we regularly 

 shut tbe stable-door after the steed has been stolen. 



We regret to hear from several quarters, that landlords are withdrawing the power of 

 the per centage allowance on rent. Surely this is premature, considering the present 

 situation of the great majority of the tenantry, who have suffered the entire loss of their 

 spring crops, which, with the depressed state of the market, has most unfortunately 

 balanced the advantage of a productive crop of wheat. There is little or no alteration 

 in the price of cattle or horses, excepting that cows in calf are in request, at somewhat 

 more money. The markets of late have been fully supplied with sheep, which has kept 

 mutton considerably under the price of beef. As the spring advances, meat must advance 

 .in price, from the great expence at which it is produced. 



' Smithfield.Eetf, 3s. lOd. to 5s. 4d. Mutton, 3s. 4d. to 4s. Veal, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 2d. 

 Pork, 5s. 5d. to 8s. Dairy-fed, 6s. to 6s. 4d. Raw fat, 2s. 10d. 



Corn Exchange. Wheat, 40s. to 60s. Barley, 33s. to 43s. Oats, 2<5s. to 42s. 

 Bread, 9d. the41b. loaf. Hay, 80s. to 120s. Clover ditto, 90s. to 1 35s. Straw, 30s. 

 to 40s. 



Coals in the Pool, 25s. Gd. 34s. 6d. 

 January 22d, 1827. 



