THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



363 



bandry which are wont to be performed in the mouth of 

 March. " The peck of dust," proverbial to the month, has 

 not been experienced ; cold winds have exercised their influence 

 in partially drying the soil ; but they have been followed by 

 rain, aud the hope of one day has been banished by the in- 

 clemency of tbe next. The wheat plant has undoubtedly 

 suffered. In many instances the seed-time was delayed be- 

 yond the usual period, and the result is that the blade is only 

 just showing through the surface. In cases the most favour- 

 able the plant exhibits anything but a flourishing aspect. 

 Winter-proud wheat is nowhere to be seen. Copious top- 

 dressings of artificial manures will be in requisition, and with 

 a favourable summer it is just possible that an average crop 

 will follow ; but it is yet too soon to express a positive 

 opinion on that point. Let us, however, live in hope. The 

 grass lands, from the same cause, are barren in the extreme ; 

 quite the reverse of the luxurious promise of the two last 

 years. Keep for stock is therefore scarce and costly. The 

 hay crops of last summer were fortunately productive, as 

 heavy contributions have been levied on the rick yards, and 

 many dairy farmers are compelled to purchase. Unless a 

 favourable change takes place, it will be late in the spring be- 

 fore a bite of grass can be expected. These are not pleasing 

 prospects, but stern reality compels the narrative. The markets 

 for wheat are slightly improving; but sales of store stock are 

 very inactive. Cheese aud butter are advancing, with promise 

 of increasing prices. Potatoes are not so scarce aa at one 

 time anticipated, and in the face of the planting season they 

 are obtainable at reduced rates. Ten to twelve shillings the 

 sack are tbe best prices for choice sorts. Garden productions, 

 so acceptable at the approaching season, will be a general 

 failure : scarcely a single brocoli plant has escaped the rigour 

 of the frost, and most of the varieties of spring greens have 

 suffered from the same cause. It would be speculation in 

 the extreme to predict the prospect of a crop of fruit, though 

 appearances indicate the probability of a favourable hit. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR MARCH. 



Owing to the continuance of cold northerly winds, vegeta- 

 tion has made very little progress during the past month, even 

 in our most forward districts. The backward appearance of 

 the young wheats has, in many instances, given rise to unfa- 

 vourable reports in reference to the prospect of the next yield ; 

 but, at present, we see no reason why a short crop should be 

 anticipated as the result of a backward spring, because, as far 

 as we can ascertain, no actual damage has been sustained by 

 the winter wheats, and because the breadth of land under cul- 

 tivation is fully equal to most previous years. However, the 

 wheat trade has now become more healthy than for gome time 

 past ; prices continue to rise, and very few of the growers or 

 importers are willing to sell, except at further enhanced ra^es. 

 That there is ample room for even higher rates does not ad- 

 mit of a doubt, since the importations from abroad are likely 

 to be very moderate for some time, and as our farmers will be 

 much occupied in the sowing of Lent corn between this and 

 the end of April. In that period, our markets will be scantily 

 supplied with wheat, there will be a considerable reduction in 

 the supplies of foreign produce in warehouse, not only in Lon- 

 don and Liverpool, but likewise at Hull, Gloucester, &c., and 

 consumption, under the influence of a moderate range in the 

 value of money, and of an enormous home trade, will con- 

 tinue large. These features seem to point to further enhanced 

 rates for wheat ; but our impression is, that we can hardly 

 anticipate excitement in the demand, or a range in value much 

 above BOs. per qr. for the best white qualities. 



The sowing of Spring corn has been delayed to a much later 

 period than usual, owing to the saturated condition of the soil. 

 There is, however, nothing to fear on this head ; in other 

 words, we do not anticipate any great falling off in the yield 

 from this circumstance. The supplies now in stack in all 

 parts of the United Kingdom are very moderate ; and the 

 quantities of barley on offer since we last wrote have fallen 

 off considerably. The consequence is, that much difficulty 

 has been experienced in obtaining adequate supplies for seed 

 and malting purposes, and the value of all kinds has ruled 

 high. 



As regards potatoes, we may observe that fair average sup- 

 plies have appeared on sale in our leading markets, in, for the 

 most part, very middling condition. Good sound qualities 

 have changed bauds freely, at from I40s. to, in some instances, 

 160s. per ton; but other kinds have moved off slowly, at 

 about previous rates. The stocks in growers' hands are now 

 reduced to a somewhat narrow compass, and we regret to state 

 that a portion of them is unfit for human consumption ; hence 

 unsound qualities will now chiefly be consumed in dairies. 

 Our advices from the continent are to the effect that very few 

 potatoes are now on hand ; so that we cannot suppose that 

 any addition will be made to our supplies from that quarter. 

 This comparative deficiency in the arrivals of potatoes may 

 tend to impart additional firmness to the wheat trade, both 

 here and in the continental markets, where, since the com- 

 mencement of the year, prices have advanced fully 6s. per qr 



We understand that very large orders for tbe purchase 

 of wheat have lately been forwarded to the various Baltic 

 ports, for shipment on the re-opening of the navigation. We 

 may, therefore — especially as stocks have accumulated in the 

 North of Europe — anticipate somewhat heavy importations 

 during the summer months. Shipping is now abundant, and 

 the rates of freight are very low ; but we must bear in mind 

 that the arrivals of both wheat and flour from the United 

 States — notwithstanding that the supplies of the former in 

 the hands of the growers are still very large — will be limited, 

 arising from the high quotations in the American markets, and 

 the extent of the speculative investments by wealthy holders. 

 It is a remarkable fact that, during the last two years, the 

 produce of spring corn throughout the world has not kept 

 pace with the actual wants of the trade. The consequence is, 

 that the value of barley, oats, beans, and peas has ruled 

 relatively higher than wheat, and that our maltsters 

 have been compelled to pay enormously high prices for 

 barley. This state of things, aa regards value, is not 

 likely to be improved even by increased importations from 

 abroad, since it is quite evident that we are now in a position 

 to consume every bushel that the continent can spare for us. 

 Winter food has not lasted quite so long as could have been 

 desired. The Urge numbers of beasts now in process of stall- 

 feeding have, of course, tended to increase the consumption of 

 turnips, beet, &c. ; nevertheless, there is no actual scarcity to 

 be complained of, owing to the great abundance and the good 

 quality of last year's crop of hay. 



The wool trade has continued in a healthy state, at prices 

 fully equal to those current in the previous month. The 

 public sales of Colonial wool, at which about 40,000 bales 

 were disposed of, have gone off remarkably well, at extreme 

 quotations. The business transacted by private contract, 

 however, has been very moderate, and wholly confined to im- 

 mediate wants. Manufacturers, generally, complain that 

 hitherto they have not been able to obtain an advance in the 

 value of the manufactured equal to the rise in the raw ma- 

 terial, and hence, that they have been compelled to decline 

 buying beyond actual necessitie?, in order to keep their mills 

 going. The result is, that there is now scarcely any stocks of 

 woollen goods on hand, andshould an active demand spring up 

 the quotations must advance considerably. The arrivals of 

 wool from our colonies have rapidly increased during the past 

 fortnight, and there are now in warehouse fully 20,000 bales 

 for sale. That quantity, including the whole of the fresh 

 importations, will be offered at auction in May next. 



Only moderate supplies of hay and straw have been on sale 

 in the metropolitan markets, and the trade generally has ruled 

 active on higher terms. Meadow hay has sold at from £3 to 

 £4 15s., clover from £4 to £5 10s., and straw £1 7s. to £1 

 148. per load. 



The fatjstock markets have been fairly supplied with beasts 

 and sheep' in, for the moat part, fair condition. Trade gene- 

 rally has continued in a healthy state, and prices have con- 

 tinued to rule high. The consumption of meat throughout 

 the country is]still very large. 



The Scotch markets have been moderately well supplied 

 with produce. Wheat has commanded rather more money, 

 and the value of spring corn has been fully supported. The 

 shipments to the south have continued on a liberal scale. The 

 stocks of grain on baud are still large for the time of year. 



In Ireland more money has been paid for wheat, but the 

 demand for that description of produce has been by no means 



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