THE FARMER'S MAGAZLNE.-. 



340 



by ashort one, to the whippletrees or swing-trees, the 

 whijipletree being itself connected to the traction engine 

 by a chain fastened at the middle of its length. The 

 ploughs, as they were dragged along by the power of 

 the engine, were guided and assisted in operation by at- 

 tendants, each one of whom had two ploughs in charge, 

 each plough having but one stilt or handle, the ends of 

 two contiguous ploughs being placed near each other, so 

 that the two could be under the control of one attend- 

 ant. The depth of the furrow was regulated in the 

 usual manner adopted in wheel-ploughs. 



For this complicated and not easily adjusted and con- 

 trolled arrangement, a more compact one was substi- 



tuted at Chescer, being that invented by Mr. J. A. 

 Williams, of Baydon, Wilts, a gentleman who has done 

 much, by large expenditure of time and money, to 

 further the progress of steam cultivation. This plough- 

 ing apparatus consists of a frame supported by and 

 running upon three wheels, and carrying six plough 

 frames, each of which is independent of its neighbour, 

 and which can be easily regulated in, or altogether 

 taken out of, work by levers within reach of the 

 attendants. Each plough has a screw head, by which 

 it can be set to any depth, and independent of all the 

 others. R- S. B. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 SEPTEMBER. 



Harvest work in the United Kingdom has been brought 

 to a general close, under more favourable auspices than for 

 mauy years past, with, perhaps the exception of 1857. 

 Even in the north of Scotland the crops have been secured 

 in good condition, ar.d our accounts from thence are deci- 

 dedly favourable as regards the yield of wheat. In Ireland, 

 too, the produce appears to have exceeded previous expecta- 

 tions ; and the accounts at hand from the principal growers 

 in this country are of a cliaracter which fully bears out the 

 statements we have already submitted to our readers under 

 this head : in other words, the crop, though not equal to the 

 quality produced last year, has turned out a fair average one. 

 Notwithstanding, however, that there is no excess in the 

 quantity grown, and that the supplies thrashed out have not 

 been large, the wheat trade, during the whole of the month, 

 has been in a most depressed state, and prices have given 

 way fully 4s. to os. per quarter. The pressure of foreign 

 qualities, and the fact (well known to the millers) that large 

 quantities of old wheat are still in the hands of the farmers, 

 have, no doubt, had their accustomed influence upon the 

 demand, even though consumption is admitted to be large. 

 But the question has been seriously debated — we say 

 seriously, because all spring corn is now so much dearer in 

 proportion to wheat— whether the best kinds of food have 

 seen their lowest range. Our millers, so far at least as Lon- 

 don is concerned, have now very little competition to con- 

 tend with : nevertheless, aware as they are that there is no 

 want of supply, and that any demand on their part will be 

 easily met, they have, as a body, declined to purchase more 

 wheat than they can immediately convert into flour for 

 present sale. A continuance of this state of things, with 

 liberal importations from various quarters of the globe, 

 must of necessity keep the wheat trade in a state of abey- 

 ance ; so that, although our 'impression is that prices will 

 not rule much lower than at present, there is no immediate 

 prospect of any decided upward movement in the quotations 

 of wheat. For all kinds of spring corn there has been much 

 less activity, both at Msrlv-laae and in the purely agricul- 

 tural markets. Buyers generally appear to consider that 

 present quotations are very high when compared with 

 wheat, and are determined, if possible, to reduce prices to 

 what they term " a more natural level." 



Numerous unfavourable reports in reference to the pot.ito 



crop have come to hand from almost every district and 

 county in the United Kingdom. Disease is said to have 

 shown itself extensively amongst all the various varieties ; 

 but our impression is that not a few of the reports are too 

 highly coloured ; of one thing we are certain, viz., that the 

 total quantity of potatoes grown per acre this year is fully 

 equal to any former season, and that the actual losses are 

 far less serious than in 1857. Of course, the keeping 

 quality of the root during the winter months has yet to be 

 determined ; but, fram close observation, we should incline 

 to the opinion that the supplies of good and sound qualities 

 will considerabJij exceed either last year or the year before. 

 An abundant supply of sound potatoes during the winter 

 will, as a matter of course, exercise much influence upon the 

 value of wheat and, perhaps, barley. 



The growth of hops, in Kent, Sussex, &c., is turning out 

 a very large one ; so heavy is it, indeed, that the duty has 

 been done as high as £270,000, and prices have ranged from 

 56s. to only 100s. per cwt., the latter figure being for 

 choice qualities. There is still a large quantity of yearling 

 and old hops on hand, and for Avhich there is .■scarcely any 

 demand, even at miserably low currencies. 



The great activity in commerce has imparted a most 

 wholesome influence to the wool trade. Both in I>ondon 

 and the provinces, ver3^ large quantities of wool have 

 changed hands at further enhanced rates ; and even now, 

 there appears to be room for a further advance in the quota- 

 tions, as the stocks everywhere are light, and as woollen 

 goods are now disposed of as fast as they can be manufac 

 tured. 



The cattle markets have been firm as to price, but the 

 condition of the stock has fallen considerably short of man}' 

 former years. The second crop of hay, except in the im- 

 mediate neighbourhood of the metropolis, has turned out 

 very deficient. 



Except in some localities which have been favoured with 

 an average amount of moisture, the turnip and carrot crops 

 are but indift'erent. No doubt, therefore, we shall have arti- 

 ficial food selling at a high value for some time. 



In Ireland and Scotland the wheat trade has been in a 

 moitinactive etate and prices have further given way. Spring 

 corn, too, especially inferior barley and oats, may be consi- 

 dered cheaper. The shipments to England have somewhat 

 increased 



B B 



