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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS, 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 JANUARY. 



During the whole of the month the weather throughout 

 the United Kingdom has been remarkably mild, and in some 

 instances rather vegetative. This mildness has led to rather 

 large importations of wheat, barley, and some other articles 

 from near continental ports ; and numerous vessels have 

 arrived off the coast from the westward, laden with grain . The 

 consequence hag been that, with the exception of a slight rise 

 in the value of wheat in the second week of the month, millers 

 have purchased with extreme caution, and the trade has 

 relapsed into its former dull state. The future course of the 

 wheat trade appears to be involved in considerable doubt and 

 uncertainty. Some parties anticipate a revival in the demand, 

 owing to the limited importations from the United States ; 

 but, on the other hand, it should be borne in mind that the 

 stocks of produce in France are extensive, and that any 

 upward movement in the value of food in this country would 

 be immediately followed by considerably increased shipments. 

 True, the supplies of foreign produce in the United Kingdom 

 are not to say very large, perhaps considerably under 2,000,000 

 qrs., taking wheat, flour, barley, oat?, and other articles into 

 this estimate, but they are unquestionably sufficiently heavy 

 to check speculative investments; and whilst or.r farmers 

 continue to hold very large quantities of wheat the produce 

 of 1857 and 1858, we can hardly anticipate anything approach- 

 ing excitement m the trade. Again, those important articles, 

 rice and potatoes, are competiiig to some exteut with the 

 better kinds of foods, and it may, we think, be taken for 

 granted that the supplies of rice and potatoes are fully equal 

 to any want that may arise ; certainly the growth of the latter 

 has Cf-nsiderably exceeded the calculations made by many 

 parties in September last, and we may go furtlicr and say that 

 the general quality of the crop has turned out good. On the 

 continent the produce of the last crop has proved heavy, ard 

 the growers are still shipping largely to England. We think, 

 however, that owing to the low prices at which foreign pota- 

 toes are now selling, both in London and at the outports, 

 future arrivals will be comparatively small. Our American 

 advices bring eomewhat firm markets for both wheat and 

 flour, the prices of which have lately had an upward tendency ; 

 but any important rise in value is wholly out of the question, 

 as the quantities of produce in stock in the West is 

 still enormous, and it is calculated that nearly one- third of 

 the crop of lBo7 is still on hand. As regards spring corn, 

 we may observe that there has been an improved feeling in 

 the demand for most kinds, especially for the medium 

 qualities of barley and oats. Prices have had an upward 

 tendency, and they are likely to continue firm for some 

 months, arising from the limited quantities oh hand in nearly 

 all parts of England. The yield of barley and oats in Scot- 

 land last year appears to have been considerably in excess, 

 of some former seasons. Not only have the shipments to 

 the South increased, but the sales for home consumption 

 have been large. The weight of those articles, too, has 

 come up to a high figure. 



The highly-favourable accounts at band from the manu- 

 facturing districts have imparted considerable firmness to 

 the wool trade. English wool has advanced in price fully 



OJd. per lb., and all other kinds have been held for more 

 money. The next public sales of colonial are expected to 

 go off briskly : certain it is that our manufacturers are un- 

 usually short of stock, and that the majority of them are 

 working to order. 



Although the value of hops has undergone very little 

 change, there has been an improved feeling in the demand 

 for all new qualities. Yearling and old parcels have ruled 

 heavy, though otfered on low terms. It is stated by com- 

 petent parties that the supply of hops now on hand is equal 

 to two years' consumption ! 



The demand for live stock hag been tolerably active, at 

 high quotations. Dead meat has sold extensively, but with 

 a heavy trade, arising from the immense supplies which are 

 almost daily received up to Newgate and Leadenhall from 

 Scotland and various parts of England. 



The value of hay and straw in London is about ou a par 

 with last year. For instance, meadow hay is quoted at £2 

 1.53. to £4 10s.; clover ditto, £3 lOs to £5; and straw, £1 

 5s. to £1 10a. per load. The demand for hay on continental 

 account has fallen off, 



Out-door farm-labours, arising from the extreme mildness 

 of the weather, are very forward. The young wheats are 

 looking remarkably well ; but they will soon require addi- 

 tional cold to prevent premature growth, 



In Ireland and Scotland wheat has moved off slowly, at 

 about previous quotations. Barley and oats have commanded 

 rather more money, and the value of other kinds of produce 

 has been well supported. The stocks of potatoes ai'e sea- 

 sonably large. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING 

 THE PAST MONTH. 



For the time of year, only moderate supplies of fat stock 

 have been on offer in the Metropolitan Market since we last 

 wrote ; but we have observed a decided improvement in the 

 general weight and condition of the beasts and sheep re- 

 ceived from what may be termed our leading counties. 

 Notwithstanding that great competition has continued 

 between the live and dead meat markets, arising from the 

 increased supplies of meat received up to Newgate and 

 Leadenhall, both from Scotland and various parts of Eng- 

 land, live stock has been in fair request, and prices have 

 ruled high, prime Scots having sold at 5s., and prime old 

 Downs at 5s. 2d. per 81bs. Compared with the correspond- 

 ing month in 1858— owing to the continuance of mild wea- 

 ther on the Dutch coast— the imports of foreign stock into 

 London hav(j been on a liberal scale, viz., 1,440 beasts, 7,046 

 sheep, 750 calves, and 11 pigs, against a total supply 

 amounting to 2,.342 head in January last year. 



The Norfolk season for beasts has commenced auspiciously. 

 The stock as yet received from that county has turned out 

 remarkably fine— far better, indeed, than in 1858— and we 

 have every reason to believe that we shall continue to draw 

 largely from that source during the next five months. The 

 Norfolk graziers have had the advantage during the last 

 six months of a more plentiful supply of moisture than 

 those residing in Lincolnshire jand Leicestershire, conse- 



