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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 JUNE. 

 The weather during the greater portion of this month, 

 notwithstanding that we have had a long continuance of 

 easterly winds, has been favourable. In nearly all parts of 

 the country rather large quantities of rain fell during the 

 third week, and which were productive of the greatest 

 benefit to the crops. With very few exceptions, the ad- 

 vices at hand in reference to the wheats are very satisfac- 

 tory ; up to the present time they have progressed well, and 

 there is every prospect not only of an abundance of grain, 

 but a large return of straw ; and it must be gratifying to 

 learn that even those immediately interested in keeping up 

 prices admit that the whole country never presented so 

 promising a crop of grain as at present. The barleys, too, 

 Lave grown steadily, and, whilst the wheats have been in 

 full ear in some of our most forward counties, there is every 

 chance of a full average return. Oats, beans, and peas are 

 looking well, even upon most inferior soils. Notwithstand- 

 ing these favourable advices, the corn trade has been some- 

 what brisk, and the value of wheat has advanced from 2s. 

 to fully 3s. per qr. This state of the trade, however, refers 

 more particularly to Mark Lane and to the leading local 

 markets, as we find rather a reverse state of things at Liver- 

 pool. At that port the improvement in the quotations has 

 been trifling, owing, no doubt, to the comparative dulness 

 in the trade in the manufacturing districts, in which the 

 consumption of cotton is now from 5,000 to 6,000 bales less 

 per week than in 1856 : still, there is every reason to an- 

 ticipate steady prices for nearly all kinds of produce, and 

 our reasons for this remark may be briefly explained. 

 From the tenor of our advices from the United States, it 

 would appear that the ctocks of grain in the hands of the 

 growers are very little in excess of the wants of the popula- 

 tion. It follows, therefore, that the shipments for some time 

 hence, although we learn that new wheat has made its ap- 

 pearance in some of the southern markets, will be very 

 limited. The Baltic and Black Sea ports, too, do not show 

 any large quantities of grain for export purposes, and from 

 other quarters of the globe it is scarcely possible that we 

 shall receive large supplies. On the other hand, however, 

 — and here is a powerful influence in reference to price — our 

 crops are looking well, and from the continent generally we 

 have advices to the effect that wheat promises abundantly. 

 Again, the supplies of wheat of last year's growth in the 

 hands of our farmers are still good, certainly quite equal to 

 last year, though deficient in quality ; and we may take it 

 for granted that, owing to the high value of discount accom- 

 modation, importers of foreign produce will not be inclined 

 to risk the expense and possible loss of sending their grain 

 into warehouse. We find, however, that at the present 

 time there are only about 1 00,000 qrs. of foreign wheat in 

 warehouse in the metropolis, and that the total quantity in 

 the United Kingdom is under 250,000 qrs. The facts to 

 which we have thus drawn attention arc in favour of steady 

 prices •, but, in the event of the new crop of wheat proving 

 of fine quality, we shall shortly see a much smaller range 

 between the value of fine and inferior parcels than at present. 

 The splendid prospect of the vine crop in France has 

 ctecked the demand for malt spirit in this country for the 



Continent. Should the grapes go on well, the export spirit 

 trade will, no doubt, fall off, and there will be mucli less 

 barley used in distilleries than during the last two years. 

 We may therefore assume that barley has seen its highest 

 range of value ; yet any decline in it is scarcelj' possible, 

 as our farmers hold scarcely any stock. The quantity of 

 oats on hand is unusually small ; but the supply of beans 

 and peas still in stack is rather large. 



Haymaking has been commenced under the most favour- 

 able auspices, and some quantity has been carried in ad- 

 mirable condition in the neighbourhood of London. The 

 growth is certainly a large one, but we doubt whether it 

 equals that of 1856. There is still a large quantity of old 

 hay on hand in various parts of the country. The season 

 for new meadow hay has opened in London at £3 to £3 

 r2s., for new clover £3 to £3 15s. per load. 



The cattle trade has ruled somewhat heavy, and prices 

 almost generally have given way. The stock generally has 

 fared well, owing to the immense abundance of food in the 

 pastures. The Norfolk " season" for beasts has been nearly 

 closed, and its result has been highly favourable to the 

 breeders. From that county London has been supplied 

 with numerous fine animals during the past six months ; 

 and now the northern counties are about to forward sup- 

 plies, which we hope will prove of finer quality than last 

 season. 



It will be recollected that towards the close of last year 

 we contended that the growth of potatoes in this country 

 was a very large one. This statement was questioned even 

 by some of the growers ; but we have now arrived at the 

 end of the season, and are consequently in a better position 

 to judge of the accuracy of various statements submitted to 

 us. Our markets have been well supplied since September ; 

 prices have ruled very moderate, except during a portion of 

 the month just concluded. We have had very few imports 

 from abroad, consequently consumption has almost wholly 

 fallen upon home supplies, and even now abundant quan- 

 tities are to be met with, for the time of j-ear. No doubt the 

 large growth has had gi-eat influence upon the value of the 

 better kinds of food, both here and in Ireland and Scotland. 

 The new crop looks well, and very few traces of disease 

 have been met with. 



The wool trade has ruled extremely heavj', at the decline 

 noticed last month. From our colonies, as well as from 

 abroad, rather large supplies of wool have come to hand, 

 and the supplj' in warehouse in the metropolis for the next 

 public sales already exceeds 40,000 bales. The Continental 

 wool markets are certainly somewhat firmer than our own. 

 The imports of linseed have been small compared with 

 former seasons, yet the demand for that article has been 

 far from active, and prices have had a downward tendency. 

 The quantities on passage to this country are very mode- 

 rate. 



In Ireland and Scotland the grain trade has continued 

 steady, and prices generally have been firmly supported. 

 There appears to be an average supply of food in Scotland ; 

 but we learn that very few oats are now in the hands of the 

 Irish growers. The shipments of fat stock to England 

 have been liberal, and in good condition. 



