1803. Agricultural hitelltgence — England, 1 1 9 



TorhJlAre ^larterly Report. 



There is fometliing peculiarly pleafant, in the view of the prefent fi- 

 tnation of the markets, in regard to the prices and fupply of the varied 

 products of rural economy — articles of univcrfal confiimption. Every 

 neighbouring market is conftantly and abundantly fupplied ; yet the pri- 

 ces of the moft necefTary articles, fuch as the various kinds of grain, can- 

 not be deemed fo low, as to form any abfolute difcouragement to the 

 growler, efpecially as the produce of the preceding year was alfo good ; 

 while thofe of lefs immediate necelTity, fuch as grazing produfts, &c. 

 are felling at prices at leaft: as encouraging as at aily former period 

 whatever, all circumftances confidered. The liberal and intelligent far- 

 mer will ever confider it as an axiom, * That good crops^ nmth moderate, 

 prices f conjlitute his real pro fperity. * 



The crops of wheat, barley, and oats, are rather fuperior to the aver- 

 age produce, and turn out fubllantially on t1ie floor. Grain is general- 

 ly of excellent quality. Beans and peas were bulky on the ground, 

 but are not expected to yield adequately in grain. The beans were late 

 in ripening, nipt by the autumnal frofls, and ill-harvefted. 



Till the prefent ftvere froft, and extremely cold eaft winds, the grow- 

 ing wheats had a moil luxuriant appearance, wh:ch, though flattering at 

 the time, is by no means a fure omen of a favourable refult : as the 

 ground here is bare of fnow, the cold may give them a feafonable check. 

 A very confiderable proportion of the arable land has been fown with 

 that grain, in the bed poflible order and time. 



The turnips, though by no means a deficient crop, are far feen into, 

 (the early period of the Winter confidered) from the unufual fhortnefs of 

 the hay and after-grafs. They have accordingly been fold at high pri- 

 ces, which is very different from the cafe of laft Winter, when many of 

 them were abfolutely wafted for want of cuftomers. The prefent price 

 of hay is about five guineas per ton. 



The potatoes have very much diiappointed the expeftations of the 

 growers in general, who had flattered themfelves with the idea of a crop 

 proportionate to the promife of top : they confequently began felling at 

 very low prices, but are now about 2s. 6d. per bufhel. Apples are ex- 

 tremely fcarce and dear (i6s. per bufhel), in confequence of the deflruc- 

 tive frolts of the Spring and Summer. 



Fat cattle are at high prices ; and, by all accounts, lean fl:ock are at 

 a ratio comparatively higher ftill. Good horfes are extravagantly dear. 

 Beef, Mutton, Veal and Pork, are about 8d. per lib. ; and the demand 

 for thefe articles appears to be increafing. Jan, 17. 



Letter from ^tajford, I 8//j January , 



* Beafts and rtieep llill keep up in price, and cheefe fells at 3I. per 

 hundred of fix fcore. Owing to a great demand from the clothiers in 

 Yorkftiire, wool has lately advanced much, and land rent is daily get- 

 ting higher j though, if the grain markets continue at the prefent rate. 



