THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



355 



already exceeds 1857 by 1,811,337 qvs., and would, 

 if continued at the same rate, be 5,820,306 qrs. per 

 5'ear. Such imports after such a crop are unparal- 

 leled, and had it not been for a rapid increase of 

 population, prices must have descended still lower ; 

 but this equally notorious fact, together with the 

 welcome imports of the precious metals, has given a 

 comparative steadiness to markets. The present, 

 however, is not a year of general al)undance, not a 

 single country on the globe being able so to report 

 its produce, while population goes on with its 

 daily claims, which, in the course of a short time, 

 work uj) to a serious amount, and before the season 

 has sped its way (leaving out the question as to 

 what may betide future ci'ops) the stores may get 

 exhausted, and the stream turn strongly in growers' 

 favour. But very recently there were reports that 

 Spain and Portugal were in a condition to supply 

 themselves, while only at the close of last week the 

 telegrajjh informed us that the Government of 

 Portugal have decreed the free import of breadstufts 

 up to next May. America, too, was boastful of 

 her power to export; but last year's efforts, on the 

 part of the States, resulted only in a total ship- 

 ment in wheat and flour of equal to 1,388,976 qrs., 

 and the present harvest there, though of better qua- 

 lity, is again short and less promising in its results. 

 The statistics of Ireland, though indicating general 

 progress, show a diminished acreage in all cereals 

 of 37,717 acres, wheat alone amounting to 8,260 

 acres less, which, at 4 qrs. to the acre, would be 

 33,040 qrs. short— or in all grain, at 5 qrs. per 

 acre, would be 188,585 qrs. short, v/ith an acknow- 

 ledged universal deficiency in spring cori) here and 

 abroad. The comparatively high rates, too, paid for 

 the latter make wheat relatively cheaper for cattle 

 feed; and the inferior qualities, being now much 

 neglected by millers, will doubtless be used freely 

 in this way, and considerably reduce the amount 

 of human food. The extent to which disease will 

 make inroads on the very large crop of potatoes 

 being uncertain, there can be no calculation on the 

 availableness of this root to supply any prospective 

 deficiency, our dependence being more safely placed 

 on the over-left stocks of last year, which are yet 

 considerable, and much required for mixing. The 

 questions, therefore, of greatest interest are — will 

 corn-growing countries continue to send as freely, 

 and will farmers here do the same, without regard 

 to prices ? Importations lately have been to a 

 losing account, and the present relative prices of 

 our own and foreign markets have a most dis- 

 couraging aspect ; tfeis circumstance, together with 

 short crops in many corn-producing districts, we 

 think, must, as the season advances, diminish im- 

 ports; while seed-time, and the getting over urgent 

 claims, may incline farmers to reduce their sales — 



as, unlike the town speculators, they have no extra 

 granary rent to pay for storing. One or two lively 

 weeks would soon decide the doubtful, ard bring 

 on a more healthful and thrifty trade. Prices since 

 last month have receded 2s. to 3s. per qr. generally 

 on fine wheat, which can alone be taken as the 

 standard of value, lower sorts and those out of 

 condition being irregularly priced. 



The following will show the .state of foreign 

 markets : In France, both the wheat and flour trades 

 have been very heavy, with prices somewhat re- 

 duced, the uncertainty as to whether the sliding- 

 scale will come into operation after 30th instant 

 keeping markets in suspense. The best wheat at 

 Paris was worth about 43s. per qr., and would not 

 perhaps bring 46s. duty paid in the London mar- 

 ket. Flour at Nantes ofi'ering at 33s. 6d. was 

 worth in London about 36s. to 37s. per sack, the 

 expenses being about 3s. 6d. per sack. At Rotter- 

 dam prime Zealand white wheat was worth 44s. to 

 46s., ordinary and good 59lbs. to GOlbs. per bushel 

 42s. to 43s. The quotations of red Louvain wheat 

 at Antwerp were about 45s. New Mecklenburg 

 and Upland at Hambro' were held at 46s. to 48s., 

 Holstein red to 45s. Red wheat at Konigsberg 

 was worth 48s., white to 52s. The best high- 

 mixed at Dantzic still ranged at 54s. per qr. after 

 some decline. At Stettin, Pomeranian wheat was 

 worth 47s. In Spain, at Santander, the top price 

 of Spanish flour just equalled the top price of 

 town-made ^quality in London, viz., 43s. At 

 Algiers, both hard and soft wheat were quoted at 

 43s. to 44s. per qr., with but slender arrivals. At 

 Odessa, holders from the unfavourable accounts 

 in Poland and other provinces, were firm ; 

 Gh irk a wheat being held at 40s. At Taganrog, 

 the price was 35s. 6d. Berdianski wheat at the 

 place of growth was 40s. per qr. free on board. 

 At Montreal, white winter wheat was 40s. per qr. 

 Most of the late supplies at New York consisted 

 of inferior quality ; fair red was worth 42s., and 

 Western white 44s. 6d. ; Southern white 49s. 6d. 

 per qr. 



At Mark-lane the first Monday during the 

 past month commenced with modei'ate supplies, 

 the samples from the near counties being about 

 as numerous as usual. Picked new and fine 

 old qualities went off readily on fully as good terms, 

 but all below them found but a slow sale. There 

 was some demand also for Baltic qualities, but 

 generally the foreign trade was slow. In the 

 country there were better supplies, and generally 

 buyers found prices in their favour, but it was 

 rather the reverse as the week closed. Leeds and 

 Selby were Is. per qr. lower, but Hull was firm; 

 Spalding and Bristol were Is. per qr. up. Liver- 

 pool on Tuesday, for fine wheat was id. to 2d 



