THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



463 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 OCTOBER. 



The weather during the greater portion of this month, 

 although rain haa fallen in tolerable abundance, has been sea- 

 sonably fine, and, on the whole, vegetative. Notwithstanding 

 the advanced period of the year, the whole of the crops of 

 England have not yet been aecured. Of courae, the bulk of 

 them has been carried ; but there are patches of oats, barley, 

 and beans yet out in the North. Much anxiety has been ob- 

 served in all quarters in reference* to the yield of the new 

 wheats, and upon this subject a variety of opinions has been 

 fully expressed. On the one hand, we are told that the produce 

 is miserably deficient almost generally ; on the other, that the 

 light lands have produced more wheat than in 1859. We believe, 

 however, that we shall best serve the cause of the grower by 

 taking a calmer view of the crops than that expressed by 

 persons whose knowledge of agriculture is merely a superficial 

 one. Notwithstanding the uupropitions season we have had 

 to contend with, and that many districts show a deficiency, 

 even when compared with last year, our opinion is that neai'ly, 

 or quite, as much wheat has been grown as in 1859. The 

 question of quality is, of course, another matter. On this 

 point there can be no difference of opinion ; indeed, it may be 

 admitted that at least two-thirds of the entire growth will 

 not be fit for grinding purposes, without an unusually large 

 admixture of foreign qualities, for several months. Here, then, 

 we arrive at something like a clear view in reference to future 

 currencies. Good and fine English must of necessity continue 

 in excellent request, at very full prices, even though we may 

 continue to import largely from abroad ; but other kinds will, 

 we imagine, prove a heavy sale. Much caution will, therefore, 

 be necessary on the part of the growers in forwarding supplies 

 to market. As yet, they have declined to thrash out any large 

 quantity of their low damp wheats, and they have realized 

 high quotations for selected samples, the supplies of which 

 have been inadequate to the demand. Assuming that they 

 will be small until March or April — by which time the new 

 wheats will become hardened and more fit for use— consumption 

 must be chiefly thrown upon foreign supplies. It follows, as 

 a matter of course, that we shall gradually consume the whole 

 of our arrivals from abroad, and that a comparative healthiness 

 in the trade will prevent any downward movement in the quo- 

 tations. 



The yield of the barley crop is certainly large in quantity ; 

 but its condition is very far inferior to moat previous seasons — 

 the samples being for the most part weathered and unfit for 

 malting purposea ; hence, that description of produce is likely 

 to rule very high in price for a considerable period, even allow- 

 ing for a large increase in the imports from the continent. 



The oat crop has turned out tolerably well, and the yield of 

 both beans and peas is a very large one ; still, there are no 

 indications of any reduction in value. On the contrary, it 

 would appear that prices are likely to advance rather than re- 

 cede, owing to the increasing wants of the consuming classes. 

 Thus far as regards the crops in England. If we turn onr at- 

 tention to Scotland, we shall find a reverse state of things. 

 There, the wheat crop has turned out remarkably well, and of 

 fine quality. The growth of barley and oata is greatly in 

 excess of last year, and of remarkably good quality, and the 

 potato crop is by far the largest and best on record. These 

 are important matters for consideration, because they seem to 

 prove that immense shipments of produce will continue to be 

 made to the South, and that those shipments will tend to 

 check any poaitive excitement in the trade. In Ireland, the 

 growth of wheat is very little better than in this country. 

 As regards other articles, we may observe that they fall consi- 

 derably short of previous expectations. The potato disease 

 does not appear to have been general, or to have committed 

 what may be termed serious ravages ; but it is quite clear that 

 very few potatoes will be shipped to England during the 

 winter montba . 



In this country, the crop of potatoes is certainly a fair 

 average one, even after making due allowance for actual 

 losses ; nevertheless, it appears certain that good and fine 

 samples, which are now worth from ISOs. to_150s. per ton, 

 will continue to realize high rates for some time. 



Our advices from the Continent state that, with the ex- 

 ception of France, the wheat crop has turned out tolerably 

 well, and that the yield of all spring corn is a full average 

 one. We apprehend that France has very little surplus 

 grain for export purposes ; but we believe that other coun- 

 tries have large stocks on hand ready for the English mar- 

 kets. The shipments of wheat, Indian corn, ami tlour from 

 the United States continue on a very large scale— a proof 

 of the great abundance of the crops this year. Those heavy 

 shipments will be all required by us, if consumption is stea- 

 dily met : consequently, we do not anticipate any important 

 increase in the warehoused stocks either in London or at 

 the outports. 



Good and fine hay has continued in request, at very full 

 prices ; but inferior parcels have coramauded very little at- 

 tention. Straw has moved off slowly, at about previous 

 rates. Meadow hay has sold at from £2 10s. to £5 ISs., 

 clover ditto £3 lOs. to £6, and straw £1 lOa. to £1 16s. 

 per load. These wide quotations prove at once that we 

 have grown but an indifferent crop of hay this year as to 

 quality. 



There has been only a moderate business doing in wool 

 during the month. English qualities have changed hands at 

 very full prices ; but foreign and colonial parcels have been 

 much neglected. The next public sales will commence in 

 London about the 15th November, when about 40,000 bales 

 will be offered. 



The growth of hops is now proved beyond a doubt to be a 

 complete failure. The duty has been done at £30,000, 

 £35,000, and £40,000, and prices have ruled very high, £28 

 per cwt. having been paid for fine aamples. They will, we 

 imagine, command full prices for some time, even though 

 about 20,000 bales m»y be expected to arrive from the Conti- 

 nent and the United States between this and the end of the 

 year. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE 

 PAST MONTH. 



Since we last wrote the various markets throughout the 

 United Kingdom have been extensively supplied with beasts 

 as to number; but we have observed very little improvement 

 in their general quality, compared with the previous month. 

 When, however, it is compared with the first four months of 

 the year, the improved condition of both beasts and sheep ia 

 somewhat striking. This, however, may be easily accounted 

 for by t'.ie enormous quantities of pasture food, and the im- 

 mense produce of the hay crop. The long prevalence of wet 

 weather has reduced the quality of that crop materially, and 

 so saturated the laud that, in some districts, the graziera have 

 not been in a position to give their stock the full advantage 

 which ought to arise from an abundance of food. Tius season, 

 therefore, will, we imagine, materially increase draining opera- 

 tions. Had they been more extensively carried on during the 

 last few years the profits arising from them this season would 

 have been very great, and much loss and disappointment would 

 have been avoided. 



The excess in the arrivals of stock from abroad, and the 

 improvement in the condition of the beasts and sheep, com- 

 pared with the early part of the year, nddei to the rapid in- 

 crease in the numbers in Scotland, have produced great in- 

 activity in the demand for all breeds of beasts, and prices have 

 given way from 2d. to 4d. per Slba. Sheep, too, from the 

 same causes, have changed hands heavily at a similar decline 

 in value. Calvss have fallen materially in price, and pigs 



