THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



553 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 NOVEMBER, 



From a variety of causes the greatest heaviness has pre- 

 vailed in the demand for wheat, both English and foreign, 

 during the whole of the month, and a continuous fall has 

 taken place in the quotations. When we consider the in- 

 fluences in operation, we are in no way surprised at the de- 

 cline which has heen reported in prices. In the first place, 

 the country has been passing through a great money crisis, 

 the result partly of over-trading, and partly in consequence 

 of the disturbed state of feeling in commercial matters 

 throughout the United States ; consequently, consumption 

 has, in some measure, fallen off. In the next, sales of 

 foreign produce have been forced, owing to the difficulties 

 experienced by the importers in obtaining advances upon 

 corn bills. And, in the last, the Emperor of the French has 

 opened his ports for the outflow of native produce. The 

 dealers have naturally operated with more than usual 

 caution, under the impression that prices have not seen their 

 lowest point. No doubt we shall receive some rather large 

 supplies of flour from France during the next three months, 

 because at present there is a good margin of profit upon 

 shipments ; but the question is, has France much really to 

 spare for us? and will not large shipments to England have 

 the effect of enhancing prices on the other side, so as 

 eventually to render the export trade unprofitable ? How- 

 ever, there is one thing quite clear, viz., that only moderate 

 arrivals from France — and those being generally of a 

 superior quality, consequently saleable here — will keep 

 prices in check," and the partial loss of the potato ciop may 

 thus be made good. The disturbed state of mercantile 

 affairs in America has checked the outflow of food to the 

 United Kingdom ; but it is generally admitted that an 

 immense amount of produce still remains in the interior of 

 the country, and which, eventually, will come forward. 

 When we bear in mind that our own crop of wheat has 

 turned out most abundant, and for the most part in fair 

 condition, it must be admitted that there is very little 

 prospect of any advance in the quotations ; still, we are not 

 prepared to agree with some persons that wheat will be 

 selling at an average of 40s. per qr. That amount woiild 

 entail serious losses upon the producers, who, if they desire 

 steady markets in a comparative sense, will decline to 

 thrash out more produce than the demand can take off. 



The barley trade has likewise ruled heavy in the ex- 

 treme, and a considerable fall has taken place in prices. 

 This trade has been influenced by the unusually small 

 quantities of malt which have found buyers for some time 

 past, the large influx of inferior qualities from the Upper 

 and Lower Baltic, and the falling off' in the number of 

 orders received from the Continent for raw spirit, arising 

 from the increased produce of the wine crop in France, In 

 other respects, the corn trade has ruled heavy ; but we may 

 observe that the oat trade has lately shown signs of steadi- 

 ness. The imports of oats from the North of Europe will 

 now shortly fall off to some extent, and the bulk of the sup- 

 plies of that grain has already come to hand. 



Commercial distress, and the continued fall in the value 

 of hides, skins, and rough fat, have had their usual influence 

 upon the cattle trade. Prices almost generally have given 

 way, and butchers have purchased with more than usual 

 caution. From most quarters we learn that the health of 

 the stock, both beasts and sheep, continues good, and that 

 no serious losses have been sustained by the graziers. 



The turnip crop is turning out not quite so heavy as was 

 at one time anticipated; but the supply of swedes is a very 

 large one and of good quality. There is a large quantity 

 of both old and new hay on hand, so that the supply of 

 food for winter use and consumption is large. Straw is 

 likewise most abundant, the result of a large wheat crop. 

 Meadow hay has sold at low rates, viz,, from ^£2 10s, to £4 ; 



clover do., £3 10s, to £5; and straw, £1 6s. to £1 IDs. per 

 load. 



The supplies of home-grown potatoes on sale in the Lon- 

 don and local markets have been very moderate and in but 

 middling condition ; but over 6,000 tons have been im- 

 ported into London alone from the Continent, The condi- 

 tion of the latter is not to say first-rate. The trade has 

 ruled heavy, at prices varying from £2 15s. to £7 per ton. 



The public sales of colonial wool held during the month 

 have been but moderately attended.both by home and foreign 

 buyers. Only a portion of the supply, offered has been dis- 

 posed of, and prices have given way, compared with the 

 previous series, from ■2d. to 3d. per lb. English wools have 

 declined to the same extent, and the demand for them is so 

 trifling that the present rates are nominal. 



As the produce of hops this year is ascertained to be a 

 full average one, the hop trade has been in a very inactive 

 state, and the highest price paid for the best East Kents,in 

 pockets, is £6 per cwt. A large quantity of old and year- 

 ling hops is still on hand. 



In Ireland and Scotland, the corn trade has ruled heavy 

 at drooping prices; the demand for fat stock, however, has 

 continued somewhat healthy. 



iREVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING 

 THE PAST MONTH. 



Although the supplies of both beasts and sheep on offer 

 in the leading cattle markets held during the past month 

 have not been to say extensive, the demand generally has 

 fallen off, and prices have had a downward tendency. The 

 panic in the commercial world and the high value of money 

 in the discount market, added to the prospect of a decline 

 in the consumption of meat, arising from the stoppage of 

 machinery in our manufacturing districts, have, of course, 

 had their accustomed influence upon the quotations ; but 

 the other leading cause of the decline has been the continued 

 fall in the value of raw hides, skins, and rough fat. With 

 all these adverse influences, however, the cattle trade must 

 be considered in a healthy state, and it must be admitted 

 that prices are still very high. At present, we see no rea- 

 son to anticipate any serious fall in them, because we are 

 of opinion that the commercial crisis will shortly be at an 

 end, and that the imports of foreign stock will not be large 

 during the remainder of the year ; indeed, the prospect is 

 that they will now decline, as many of the continental ports 

 will shortly be closed for the winter. 



The arrivals of stock from Lincolnshire have exhibited a 

 great improvement, both as to weight and condition, com- 

 pared with some previous months, and they have, con- 

 sequently, afforded an increased supply of raw fat. From 

 other parts of England, however, the few arrivals have been 

 in very middling condition. The improved weight of the 

 beasts may be attributed to the unusually large supplies of 

 grass in the pastures for the time of year, and the compara- 

 tive abundance of the root and hay crops. 



Steady supplies of stock have reached the metropolitan 

 market from Ireland, via Liverpool, in good saleable condi- 

 tion. Had it not been for these arrivals, beef would hiive 

 realized considerably enhanced rates, and great activity 

 would have been apparent in the demand. Forthe general 

 consumer, these arrivals are most opportune, and we doubt 

 much the propriety of running up prices suddenly, as high 

 quotations frequently lead to a decrease in the consumption, 

 and to great embarrassments on the part of the butchers, 

 especially where long credits are given. Besides, very high 

 quotations for fat stock lead to extravagant rates being fre- 

 quently given for store animals ; and grazing thus, in many 

 instances, becomes an unprofitable business. 

 ' The approaching Christmas Cattle Show is looked for- 



