THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 SEPTEMBER. 



During the early part of the month, the weather through- 

 out the United Kingdom was somewbat favourable for har- 

 vest work, and large quantities of wheat and other kinds of 

 produce were secured in our leading districts in middling 

 condition. Since then, however, numerous changes have 

 taken place ; krge quantities of rain have fallen ; and the 

 cutting and carrying of wheat have progressed slowly. It 

 follows, therefore, that, for this advanced period of the year, 

 there is still what may be termed a considerable amount of 

 produce in the fields, and in reference to which considerable 

 anxiety prevails. With regard to the actual yield of tlie 

 wheats hitherto secured, a considerable difference of opinion 

 prevails, from the fact — a most unusual one in September — 

 that an adequate quantity has not yet been thrashed out to 

 form a correct criterion of the value of the crops as to quan- 

 tity. Our impression is that, with some few exceptions, the 

 aggregate growth is a deficient one, even though we hear of 

 five and even six quarters to the acre having been produced 

 upon well-farmed lands. Further, we believe that for poor 

 condition, the crop has seldom turned out worse. This must 

 be apparent on examining the samples of both red and white 

 parcels offered for sale during the last two or three weeks. 

 The bulk of them have proved wholly unfit for millers' pur- 

 poses, without a very large admixture of dry foreign, and in 

 numerous instances samples previousl}' purchased have been 

 returned by the millers from want of condition. This state 

 of things has, of course, created comparative firmness in the 

 demand for good and fine samples, and an advance in the 

 quotations of from 2s. to 43. per qr. Low and damp quali- 

 ties, however, have moved off heavily^ and prices have had a 

 drooping tendency. For some time consumption must 

 chiefly fall upon our importations from abroad; very little 

 English wheat will be brought forward ; and the quotations 

 will, possibly, continue to harden. It seems, therefore, that 

 we have not reached the highest range of price as regards 

 good wheat, and that very large importations from abroad 

 will be necessary to meet consumption. At the present 

 time the supplies in warehouse are large ; but we believe 

 that they will all be required, and that there is, conse- 

 quently, every prospect of good bread ruling higher. 



With respect to the production of barley, we may observe 

 that the quantity grown is in excess of last year ; but in 

 almost every county, although the grain is somewhat large, 

 the quality of the sample is deficient. Malting parcels, 

 therefore, will be high in price during the winter, and we 

 shall require all the barley that we can possibly import to 

 meet the demand, which is likely to be very large. The oat 

 crop is turning out well as to the yield per acre ; but so 

 small is the quantity of oats grown in this country, compared 

 with the consumption, that even an increased yield will have 

 very little influence upon the quotations, which still show 

 considerable firmness, even though we have had enormous 

 importations from abroad. Both beans and peas are turning 

 out large crops, even on the most badly-farmed lands ; 

 but, as yet, owing to the prevailing rains, very few have 

 made their appearance for sale. The flour trade has been 

 in a healthy state, even though very large quantities of 

 foreign produce have reached us. The'continental harvests 

 appear to have turned out somewhat productive ; but, 

 judging from most accounts at hand, the yield of the wheat 

 crop is not much in excess of 1859. There is, however, a 

 tt"^ ,^"''P^"8 quantity of old wheat on hand, and for which 

 the demand, on English account, has continued steady, at 

 fi^l quotations. Advices from the United States are to the 

 ettect that the yield of wheat, maize, and all other kinds of 

 produce 13 unusually large, and of very superior quality; 

 hence, heavy shipments have continued to be made to 

 Jingland, without having any important influence upon the 

 currencies. The stocks appear to be very large, and before 

 there can be any absolute loss upon sales of grain in our 



markets, a heavy rise must take place in the United States, 

 which, by the waj', we do not anticipate. The arrivals from 

 that quarter, however, will be of essential benefit in keeping 

 prices at a moderately low range here for some time, though 

 it is evident that anything approaching positively low cur- 

 rencies, except, indeed, for very damp parcels, cannot 

 reasonably be looked forward to. 



A somewhat different state of things to that which we 

 have here described has been apparent in Scotland. There 

 harvest work has not been impeded to the extent that it has 

 in England. Large quantities of wheat have been secured 

 in fair, though not to say fine, condition, and the supplies 

 in the fields are by no means extensive. The yield is repre- 

 sented as nearly, or quite, equal to last season, both as to 

 quantity and qualitj', and the growth of barley and oats is 

 described as very large. Apparently, therefore, we shall be 

 in a position to draw somewhat largely upon the resources 

 of Scotland for some time. This circumstance, added to ex- 

 tensive importations from abroad, will tend to dispel much 

 of the uneasiness which now prevails as regards the future. 



Our advices from Ireland are of a mixed character. The 

 weather has certainly been very unpropitious for the in- 

 gathering of the crops ; the grain has, consequently been 

 carried in damp condition, and prices have tended upwards, 

 notwithstanding that large supplies of grain have come 

 to hand from the westward. 



It now becomes necessary that we should say a few 

 words in reference to the potato crop. By many persons it 

 is contended that it is very deficient, and that disease is 

 more prevalent than in 1859. Our impressionj is that 

 there is some error of judgment here. No doubt heavy 

 losses have been sustained ; but the actual quantity of pota- 

 toes grown is unquestionably larger than last season. If, 

 therefore, we allow a fair margin for loss, say fully one- 

 third of the entire crop, taking the country generally, we 

 arrive at the conclusion that there is no absolute scarcity ; 

 Btill, we are of opinion that really fine samples will be high 

 in price during the winter months. The produce of the 

 crop in Scotland is not only very large, but likewise fine in 

 quality ; indeed it is generally admitted that the growth 

 has ^uever been excelled. This is an important matter 

 for reflection, because we may rest assured that heavy 

 shipments of potatoes will continue to be made from Scot- 

 land, and thus interfere with the value of English qualities, 

 however good they may be. The coatinental crop does not 

 appear to be a large one, but most accounts agree that it is 

 nearly sufficient for home consumption. From that quarter 

 therefore we are not likely to draw supplies. 



The wool trade has continued in a healthy state. The 

 late large quantities of colonial disposed of at public sale 

 have passed into consumption, and there has been an im- 

 proved demand for English qualities, both for home use and 

 consumption, at extreme rates. As the stocks of woollen 

 goods in the manufacturing districts are still limited, and 

 as the woollen trade is decidedly steady, wool is likely to 

 maintain its present value for some time. 



The fruit crop has been very abundant in this country, 

 but deficient on the Continent ; hence, prices of all kinds 

 of fruit have ruled low. 



Although the quantity of hay secured has been large, 

 good and fine qualities have continued scarce, and in re- 

 quest, at comparatively high rates. Inferior ■ kinds, how- 

 ever, have met a dull enquiry. The value of straw has 

 been well supported. 



The growth of hops this year is an entire failure. The 

 duty has consequently been done as low as £35,000. Last 

 year at this period it was backed at £285,000. One or two 

 new pockets have been disposed of at £18 lus. to £21 ; and 

 about 50 pockets of new foreign, in middling condition, have 

 been on offer at £11 to £14 per cwt. The market con- 

 tinues very excited, and prices have rapidly advanced. We 

 believe, however, that there is still a large quantity of last 

 year's hops yet unsold. 



