THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



^61 



The genial temperature too has proved of inestimable value 

 for the growth and development of the root crops, which at 

 one period eviaced Bymptomi of mildew, symptoms however 

 that have very generally disappeared. With more than an 

 average of old hay on hand, and an average crop of last sum- 

 mer's growth most excellently harvested, the prospect of 

 wiuter keep for stock of all kinds ia moat favourable. The 

 process of wheat-sowing ia in progress, ia advauce we must 

 add of the generality of seasons ; but the l>iud has been in 

 such excellent order, that the opportunity has been taken 

 rather than risk the uncertainty of forthcoming rains. There 

 is some little wheat up, and looking flourishing in the extreme, 

 yet that which has been more recently consigned to the soil, 

 or which may be sown hereafter, providing there is a continu- 

 ance of fine Vi-eather, will most probably have the advantage. 

 The apprehensions concerning the potato crop, so far as this 

 part of the country is implicated, were vastly overrated. The 

 crops when taken up were great, and making allowance for 

 disease, there is a sufilciency of sound ones to estimate nearly, 

 if not quite, an average. There is also another remark to be 

 added, that the tubers if laid by in a sound state, do not go 

 olf hy keeping, which has often been the case in former years. 

 The abundance of keep tends to enhance the value of stock, 

 both store cattle and sheep realize extravagant prices, which 

 cannot be expected to leave a margin for profit. The price of 

 grain, wheat most emphatically, is a subject which at this sea- 



son of the year engrosses paramount attention. It is natural 

 that every man having a commodity to sell should be anxious 

 to go to market when he can realize the highest value, and in 

 the hope of making more money, not uufrequently overlooks 

 most important faces. In every part of England the crops 

 have been abundant, certainly above an average, and if there 

 are causes for complaint of damaged grain, to anything like 

 an appreciable extent, the truth of which is questionable, still 

 that which was secured in the bes'. possible condition is greatly 

 in excess ; thrrefore, both the quality and quantity are above 

 an average. Markets have been gradually receding, at a period 

 when farmers are busy preparing for another harvest. The 

 crops are represented as abundant on the Continent and in 

 America, and there appears little cause for the assumption 

 that wheat will maintain its present value, much less lise in 

 price, unless some unforeseen occurrence should intervene. To 

 suppose that the failure of the potato crop is so extensive as to 

 maintain a high price of wheat appears to be a fallacy. There 

 is good reason for believing that the extent of failure is greatly 

 exaggerated, moreover the preceding summer that crop was 

 estimated as a very productive one, yet it had not the effect of 

 lowering the price of wheat. Wheat sowing is proceeding 

 under fivourable auspices, an important step towards a good 

 crop ; and should the winter be propitious, and the prospect of 

 next year's harvest good, we may reasonably anticipate a re- 

 duction of prices. 



AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE, EAIRS, &c. 



BLYTH FAIR.— For the milk cows exhibited very large 

 prices were askfd, and not much busiccEs transacted. There 

 was a tolerable number of g'-cd heifers, ; articularly thcEe be- 

 longing to Mr. Hudson. Ten very good ones, the property of 

 Mr. Ward, of Grove, were turned out uusoli). There were 

 also several good steers and many calves; but few changed 

 hands. There was a good show of sheep ; and for supfri'r 

 ewes high prices were asked, even as high as three guineas 

 Several were sold at 563. per head. High rates were asked 

 for good lambs. There was a rather large show of horses, and 

 some from the neighbouring breeders were very promising, 

 and the best obtained high prices. The inferior ones were a 

 drug. The show of pigs was Urge, and of first-rate quality; 

 but few sales were effected even at reduced prices. 



BRENTWOOD HORSE AND CATTLE FAIR was the 

 largest that has been held for many years. The sale was brisk, 

 many thouoauds being sold on the first day, and at very im- 

 proved prices, from the abundance of grass — probably from 10 

 to 20 per cent, higher than last year. 



BRIDLINGTON FAIR.— We had a large show of beasts, 

 the rates for which ruled high, consequently many were unsold. 

 The horse fair had an average number of useful auimals, but 

 the majority were of an inferior description ; little business 

 appeared to be transacted. 



CARLISLE HEMPTON FAIR.— A large muster of the 

 woolly tribe, and the attendance of buyers was also pr<=tty 

 numerous. The demand w^s somewhat sluggish in the morn- 

 ing, probably owing to the stiff prices asked ; but towards 

 noon a better feeling was manifested, any many lots changed 

 hands, at recent enhanced rates. There was a considerable 

 number of cattle shown, and a good attendance of dealers. 

 Ayrshire and Galloway beasts were mostly sought after at the 

 late advanced rates. 



CHICHESTER F.IIR.— There was a good show of prime 

 thirty-months old and young cart-horses, and they realiz d 

 from £30 to £45. Messrs. Robert Sadler and Palmer brought 

 26 famous colts and horses, and they sold many from £35 to 

 40 guineas. Messrs. Port exhibited 14, and they met with a 

 good sale. Messrs. Hore and George Light had some good 

 stock. 



CHRISTCHURCH FAIR.— The attendance was not so 

 numerous as on former years. The sale of cattle and horses 

 was exceedingly flat, and the sellers of swine were obliged to 

 submit to much lower prices than of late. 



COWLINGE FAIR was fully att.-udtd. The business in 

 every description of stock was at an average of past years. 

 There was a good show of horse's and beasts of all sorts, and 



superior animals sold at high prices ; but with those of supe- 

 rior quility little business was transacted, sellers asking high 

 prices, and buyers being exceedingly cautious. Not a very 

 abundant sho* of sheep, but the majority were of prime condi- 

 tion, and sold well and readily. Mr. Gent had some excellent 

 lots, which were eagerly inquired after, and quickly dis- 

 posed of. 



DALKEITH FAIR.— The show was about one-third more 

 thau last year, and the largest market ever seen here. The 

 stock was composed of two and three-year-old shorthorns and 

 a considerable number of stirks of the same breed ; also lots of 

 Galloways, and two lots oi very superior four-year-old West 

 Highlanders. There was also a large number of Irish cattle, 

 and a few lots of Yorkshire calves. The stock was early 

 placed, and there was a ready demand for good beasts of all 

 ages, which brought prices eoually good as those obtained .it 

 Kelao, Jedburgh, Falkirk, or Linton. Siirks iu condition met 

 the next ready sale to the two-year-olds ef the tame quality. 

 Good Galloways brought equally good prices as at Falkirk, 

 where large numbers were shottu. The Irish cattle, in any- 

 thing like condition, of all ages, brought fully as high prices 

 as at recent markets that they have attended. The Yorkshire 

 cilves also met a very fair sale, F.ud iu one or two sales suffered 

 no reduction from the Border markets, or at Falkirk ; but the 

 inferior kinds would be from 5 to 7 J per cent, below either of 

 the above. Upon the heavy cattle there was a reduction, for 

 reasons given, from 53. to 73. 6d., and in some cases 10s , be- 

 low all recent markets. News having arrived on the ground 

 about 12 o'clock of an increase in the discount by the Bank 

 of England, and the markets iu the South having experienced 

 a reduction, were the principal means of leaving about one- 

 fourth of the stock unsold: The market continued, after the 

 early sales, to be stiff throughout. This market was thickly 

 studded with good d:aught horses, which met a very ordinary 

 demand at prices rather below those of recent market?. Tiic 

 stuff was bought in dear, which comiielled dealers to hold out ; 

 but withal a ijrcat many sales were effected amongst various 

 l,itr„.vo. U pun the whole, horses were easier boiight. There 

 were few good harness and saddle horses ; but what were 

 really good met a ready sale, but not higher than recently. 



DEVIZES FAIR.— The supply of stock, generally, was 

 under an average. She.^p were not above two-ihirds of the 

 ususl number ; the best sold pretty freely at fully Waybill 

 prices, bur, inferior ones v/ere slow of sale at those rates ; the 

 best ewes realized 46s. each ; lambs, from 25s. to 373. Cattle 

 alio met a slow sale, but at high prices. There were some 

 very good carthorses and colts, which brought hi^h prices. 



