THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



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irop that should create alarm. Couaumptiou appeaira to have 

 been steadily met with a good saleable quality, at from 150s. 

 to 2008. per ton, and the haulm has exhibited no signs of pre- 

 mature decay. Surprise may be expressed, considering the 

 low temperature during the greater portion of the year, that 

 the tubers should have grown so fast ; because we have no 

 hesitation in saying that they are now quite as large as at the 

 same period in 1859. However, in whatever light we may 

 regard the crop, it is quite clear that nothing short of forcing 

 weather will bring the crop to maturity, and produce a good 

 keeping root for winter use. 



The turnip and swede crops are looking remarkably well ; 

 better, indeed, than for some years past. A large return of 

 these roots, however, would not compensate for a failure in 

 the potato crop. 



The wool trade has continued in a healthy state. English 

 wools have sold at very full prices, and the public sales of co- 

 lonial now in progress — and about 90,000 bales will be offered 

 — are going off steadily at full quotations, when compared 

 with the May sales. 



The continued unfavourable weather has been most prejudi- 

 cial to the hop-bine, which in several parts of the country pre- 

 sents a most unhealthy appearauce. Certainly there is no 

 prospect for even a moderate growth, and the duty has conse- 

 quently declined to £125,000. Speculators have taken large 

 parcels of hops off the various markets, and the result is that 

 prices have steadily advanced. 



In Ireland and Scotland the crops have progressed slowly ; 

 but they do not indicate v? hat may be termed a limited growth. 

 Much of course now depends upon the state of the weather 

 between this and about the 25th of August ; but, considering 

 the condition of the fields as a whole, our impression is that 

 much of the wheat will turn out a very moderate sample. The 

 stocks are everywhere limited, and shipments to England are 

 consequently small. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE 

 PAST MONTH. 



The importations from the continent having been on a 

 liberal scale, there has been less excitement in the cattle trade 

 since we last wrote than in several previous months. The 

 demand, though healthy, has been far from active, and in 

 some instances the quotations have had a drooping tendency. 

 However, prices still continue high, especially for the best 

 beasts and sheep, which have come slowly to hand ; and, ap- 

 parently, although we hear much of restricted consumption 

 amongst the workiu? classes, they are likely to be very remu- 

 nerative for a considerable period. 



The month's supplies of both beasts and sheep exhibited iu 

 the Metropolitan Cattle Market have been chiefly composed 

 of stock two-thirds fat ; and we may observe that the com- 

 mencement of the Lincolnshire " season " has not, as yet, 

 produced a description of stock which would warrant us iu 

 saying that future supplies will show any decided improve- 

 ment upon the receipts from Norfolk and Suffolk during the 

 first six mouths of the present year. 



The great abundance of pasture-herbage must, of course, 

 be iu favour of additional weight in the supplies of both 

 beasts and sheep j but the system to which we have so fre- 

 quently alluded, viz., that of selling stock of premature age, 

 must, we imagine, tend to prevent any positive increase in the 

 actual supply of food for general consumption, which is now 

 large beyoud precedent. But even an increased supply, 

 though it may prove of good quality, can scarcely reduce 

 prices to their old level, because a very little consideration of 

 the state of our manufacturing districts, and of the internal 

 aud export trade of the country, must convince the most scep- 

 tical in such matters that we have fairly arrived at a " con- 

 suming period " in our history. We have briefly alluded to 

 our importations. The extent of the arrivals in the month 

 just concluded will be seen by the following figures : 



IMPORTS INTO LONDON IN JULY. 



HEAD. 



Beasts .. 6,182 



Sheep 29,802 



Lambs .. ,. 4,300 



Calves 2,948 



Piga 3,526 



Total 44,658 



Same time iu 18S9 30,847 



„ 1858 31,192 



1857 26,968 



„ 1856 30,537 



„ 1855 22,680 



1854 22.242 



„ 1853 38,795 



The above figures show that a much larger supply of foreign 

 stock reached us last month than in the corresponding period 

 in either of the previous seven years. We doubt, however, 

 whether the actual weight of meat disposed of has equalled 

 those seasons. 



The total supplies of stock offered and disposed of have 

 been as under : 



HEAD. 



Beasts 19,870 



Cows 490 



Sheep and lambs 152,600 



Calves 3,133 



Pigs 2,428 



Comparison op Supplies. 

 July. Beasts. Cows. Sheep & Lambs. Calves. Pigs. 

 1859., 19,C0O 476 166,632 3,609 2,430 



1858.. 20,468 547 154,932 4,262 3,290 



1857.. 19.558 530 142,280 3,830 2,395 



1856.. 18,589 500 135,650 3,407 3,225 



1855.. 16,702 535 149,470 2,757 4,000 



The month's arrivals of beasts from Norfolk, Suffolk, &c., 

 have been about 6,500 Scots, crosses, &c. ; from Lincolnshire, 

 &c., 7,600 shorthorns, &c. ; from other parts of England, 

 2,000 various breeds; from Scotland, 58 Scots and crosses ; 

 and from Ireland, 210 oxen, &c. 



Beef has sold at from 3s. 4d. to 53. 8d, ; mutton, Ss. 6d. to 

 58. 8d. ; lamb, 5s. 8d. to 7s. ; veal, 49. 4d. to 5s. 6d. ; and 

 pork, 4s. to 5s. 2d. per 8 lbs. to sink the offal. 



Newgate and Leadenhall markets have exhibited increased 

 supplies of meat. Generally speaking, the trade has ruled 

 heavy, and prices have had a downward tendency. 



The continuance of changeable weather, though it has pro- 

 duced an ample supply of grass in the pastures, has rendered 

 hay-making a matter of extreme difficulty. In some quarters, 

 apprehensions prevail that there will not be anything ap- 

 proaching a good supply of winter food for stock. Losses 

 have been numerous, even in our best districts ; but the ac- 

 counts from Scotland are to the effect that the number of 

 black cattle in that country is fully equal to last season. If 

 such should really be the case, and if food should prove 

 abundant during the remainder of the season, we may antici- 

 pate somewhat increased supplies of good stock in the London 

 market. Letters from Ireland are less desponding than those 

 received two or three months since ; but our impreasion is 

 that nothing short of high quotations will tempt the Irish 

 graziers to forward largely to the metropolis. 



CUMBERLAND. 



The month of June, 1860, has now passed away, and joined 

 the months and years of times gone by. But it did not depart 

 without leaving its 



" Foot-prints on the sands of time ;" 

 for it will long be remembered as one of the coldest, wettest, 

 and most ungenial midsummer months on record, and in 

 future years, when a cold and wet month of June occurs, it 

 will be said that it is almost as wet and cold as June '60. 

 But with the present month came a complete change, and there 

 has been a fortnight of as fine weather as could possibly be 

 desired, with a high temperature and bright sunny days ; in 

 short, perfect July weather, and the effect has been beneficial 

 in the highest degree. All were anxious to commence cutting 

 their sown grasses, and were ready to do so by the first of the 

 present month, and many had ventured to begin a few days 

 before the favourable change, which came in time to prevent 

 any injury being done to that already cut, and gave an oppor- 

 tunity to secure the whole of the lea hay in the very best con- 

 dition, which has been done, very little now remaining in the 

 fields. Cutting of meadow has commenced; but there is 

 scarcely any yet secured, and the prospect is not now so pro- 

 mising as the state of the weather daring last week gave reason 



