THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



169 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS 



GENERAL AGRICULTTTRAL REPORT FOR 

 JULY. 



Under the influence of a very high temperature, and an 

 almost cloudless atmosphere, the crops generall}' in all parts 

 of England have ripened with great rapiditj' ; so rapidly, 

 indeed, that not a few of our farmers have been tal^en by 

 surprise at the immense amountof labour suddenly required 

 to be performed. The cutting of wheat was commenced 

 in Essex as early as the 17th, and on the 20th new Tala- 

 vera was offered for sale in Mark Lane in fair condition. 

 Some patches of barlej', oats, and peas were cut jibout 

 the same time, and since then the sickle has been in active 

 and uninterrupted progress. We never recollect a season 

 during which the crops, taken as a whole, have presented a 

 finer appearance, and it is scarcely possible to call to mind 

 a period in which there have been so few drawbacks as the 

 present. The diseases frequently so much complained of 

 have formed no topic for discussion ; and we may safely 

 state that the yield of wheat, up to this time, is a full 

 average one, and in fine condition. Barley, in order to 

 swell the produce, and to ensure a bulk}' crop, has required 

 more moisture than it has received, and the same may be 

 said of oats, beans, and peas, neither of which crops can 

 be considered large. Although a large quantity of wheat 

 and other produce has been cut during the last ten days, 

 the supply carried, up to this time, is trifling; and, con- 

 sidering that much has yet to be done in the fields, it would 

 be premature on our parts to hazard a decided opinion as re- 

 gards the weight and condition of the total yield. At 

 present, however, there is nothing to complain of, and ap- 

 pearances are in favour of the grower. The quantitj' of 

 land under wheat culture is generally supposed to 

 be considerably in excess of last season. If this 

 statement be correct, we may look forward to a con- 

 siderable excess in the entire growth, and a further de- 

 crease in the value of most kinds. On this subject — viz : 

 future quotations— a great difference of opinion prevails. 

 It is admitted by well-informed parties that we are likely 

 to import very large supplies of produce from the Upper and 

 Lower Baltic ; but others contend that, as America has 

 nothing to spare for us from last year's crop, there is no 

 prospect of a decline in present rates. The stocks of wheat, 

 flour, and Indian corn, at Liverpool, are now small, and 

 great inroads are being made upon them almost daily : 

 hence there has been some firmness in the demand for pro- 

 duce there compared with Mark Lane, and a specula- 

 tive feeling has sprung up, in more than one quarter, that 

 wheat has seen its lowest point. There may be some 

 steadiness in price during the month of August and a 

 portion of September, owing to the absence of American 

 supplies, and to the farmers' time being almost wholly occu- 

 pied in the fields. But the harvest in the United States is 

 represented as a most abundant one, and no doubt great 

 exertions will be made to forward produce to this country 

 during the months of September, October, and November, 

 including perhaps December, especially as freights are low, 

 nnd tonnage is very abundant. The supply of old English 

 wheat now on hand is by no means so small as has been 

 represented ; still, it cannot be denied but that the stock is 



becoming exhausted, though not to the same extent as we 

 have noticed at some corresponding periods. As regards 

 old barley, oats, and peas, we may safely state' that the sup- 

 plies are unusually small. We learn, however, that rather 

 large quantities of beans remain in stack. 



This year's crop of hay has been pretty well secured. 

 Compared with last season — which was, perhaps, the most 

 abundant one on record— the crop is not large, though we 

 consider it a fair average one. Fine new meadow hay has 

 sold in the London markets at £4 4s,, and new clover £4 

 10s. to £4 I5s. per load. These prices indicate a good sup- 

 ply ; but we may state that an immense quantity of old hay 

 is still in stack. 



The weather has been singularly favourable for the growth 

 of potatoes, which, with very few exceptions, are wholly 

 free from disease. The tubers have rapidly become bulky 

 and of fine quality ; indeed, we have known them much 

 less weighty in the middle of August than they now are. 

 We are informed, however, that along the coasts of Ireland 

 — the inland crop being still healthj' — the produce is 

 likel}^ to be a most inferior one. From Scotland, on the 

 other hand, we learn that there are no reasonable grounds 

 for complaint. 



Notwithstanding that the imports of wool into England 

 this year have been in excess of last season, and that up- 

 wards of 70,000 bales are now being offered at public sale, 

 the wool trade has been ver}' active, and an advance of Id. 

 to 1 .id, per lb. has taken place in the quotations. The future 

 prospects of the trade are decidedly favourable, especially 

 as the stocks on the Continent are very small. 



There has been an improved feeling in the hop trade, and 

 prices have had an upward tendency. Apparently, the 

 growth of hops this year will be much smaller than in 1856, 

 as the duty has been down as low as £100,000. 



With the exception of the complaints in reference to the 

 potato disease, alluded to above, our advices from Ireland 

 and Scotland are favourable. The crops promise well, and 

 there is still a fair quantitj' of wheat in the hands of the 

 farmers. The shipments of that grain from Scotland have 

 been larger than usual. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING 

 THE FAST MONTH. 



The state of the trade general!}', the rapid increase in the 

 supplies, and the e.xtraordinary fluctuations in prices during 

 the month under review, must, if we mistake not, tend to 

 dispel the error into which not a few contemporary prints 

 have fallen, to the effect that the production of live stock in 

 the United Kingdom has not kept pace with the increase in 

 the population. We are not about to argue upon the as- 

 sumption that the growth of food is equal to the wonderful 

 development of the manufacting industry of the country, in 

 other words that it can meet a sudden demand (above ordi- 

 nary wants) without leading to a greatly increased value ; 

 but with favourable seasons, such as those we have expe- 

 rienced since 1055, and with most remunerative prices, it 

 would be absurd to suppose that our breeders would be slow to 



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