THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



273 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS 



GENERAL AGKICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 FEBRUARY. 



The continuance of remarkably fine weather has had a bene- 

 ficial influence upon agriculture generally. In all parts of 

 England outdoor farm labours are very forward; and the 

 almost continuous light showers of rain have produced a 

 more abundant supply of water, the scarcity of which had long 

 been felt, especially in the midland counties. As regards the 

 general appearance of the young wheat plants, we may ob- 

 serve that it is favourable, notwithstanding that in many coun- 

 ties the plants stand in need of frost to keep them in check. 

 As yet, however, it has not been found necessary to eat them 

 down to protect the crop. 



The wheat trade has continued in a very unsatisfactory 

 state. Consumption is progressing steadily; nevertheless 

 prices have shown a disposition to give way, arising in some 

 measure from the total want of speculation, but chiefly from 

 heavy stocks in the hands of the home-growers, and the 

 prospect of extensive importations from France as the year 

 progresses. At present there are no indications of an im- 

 provement either in the demand or value ; and, as far as our 

 judgment carries us, there is no chance of high quotations 

 during the whole of the year in the event of our crop turning 

 out a fair average one. Potatoes and rice — two important 

 articles of consumption — are still competing with wheat, at 

 low prices ; and there is no disposition on the part of the 

 millers to purchase wheat beyond immediate wants. Although 

 some extensive supplies of barley have come in from abroad, 

 the demand for that grain has continued steady, at full ciir- 

 rencies. Fine malting samples have been very scarce ; conse- 

 quently they are selling at comparatively high rates. Oats, 

 beans, and peas have varied but little in price, and the de- 

 mand for them has ruled steady. 



Our leading cattle markets have been but moderately sup- 

 plied with fat stock, in which a steady business has been 

 transacted, at slightly improved rates. The slaughtering of 

 stock for London consumption in Scotland and elsewhere is 

 still carried on extensively. 



Owing chiefly to the unfavourable state of the political 

 horizon on the continent, the wool trade has been much less 

 active, and in some cases prices have been with difficulty sup- 

 ported ; however, the trade may be considered in a healthy 

 state. The public sales now in progress will to some extent 

 regulate the value of wool for some time. The new clip is 

 turning out extremely well ; but the stocks in the hands of 

 the flock-masters are nearly all worked up, and we see no 

 reason to anticipate large importations during the year either 

 from abroad or our colonies. The quantity of wool now in 

 London is about 34,000 bales. 



There has been a moderate, but by no means active, demand 

 for hay and straw, the prices of which have ruled about sta- 

 tionary. Meadow hay has changed hands at £2 ISs. to £4 

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

 9s. per load. Full average quantities of meadow hay are still 

 in stack, and the export demand has almost wholly ceased. 



The root crops are lasting better than was at one time an- 

 ticipated ; yet the demand for linseed, rapeseed, and cakes 

 has been rather extensive, at very full prices. Present quota- 

 tions appear safe, when we bear in mind that the importations 

 of linseed from our colonies, as well as from Russia, are not 



likely to be in excess of last year, during which the anrirala 

 were very moderate. 



Great inactivity has prevailed in the demand for wheat, 

 maize, and some other articles, in Ireland. In prices, how- 

 ever, very little change has taken place. Oats have ruled a 

 shade lower ; and we may further remark that the shipments 

 of grain, &c., to England have continued on a very moderate 

 scale, even for the time of year. The exports of stock, how- 

 ever, have been seasonably good. 



Nearly the whole of the Scotch markets have been steady 

 for fine wheat, barley, and oats. Meal, too, has been rather 

 firm in price ; but other articles have commanded very little 

 attention. The exports to the South have continued liberal ; 

 and we understand that farmers still hold more than an ave- 

 rage supply of wheat, inferior barley, and oats. 



The total stocks of foreign grain and flour in warehouse in 

 the United Kingdom are estimated at 1,400,000 qrs. ; a 

 quantity sufficiently large to exercise much influence upon 

 value, although very limited importations are anticipated this 

 year from the United States. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING 

 THE PAST MONTH. 



Compared with many previous corresponding periods of the 

 year, the supplies of fat stock on offer in the Metropolitan 

 Cattle Market, during the month just concluded, have been only 

 moderate ; and as regards the beasts, in but middling condi- 

 tion. Nearly all kinds of sheep, however, have appeared of 

 full average quality ; consequently, the actual weight of mutton 

 disposed of has rather increased than otherwise. Notwith- 

 standing that very large supplies of meat, slaughtered in Scot- 

 land and various parts of England, have been received up to 

 Newgate and Leadenhall, the demand for stock has continued 

 steady, and in some instances prices have had an upward ten- 

 dency. The high value of hides, skins, wool, and offals, in 

 various distant parts of England, has no doubt checked arri- 

 vals of live stock; but, on the other hand, it has induced 

 many parties to slaughter for consumption in the metropolis. 

 The quantity of meat now daily consumed in London is fully 

 equal to, perhaps considerably in excess of, most previous sea- 

 sons, and our impression is that it will continue very large for 

 some time, as trade and commerce continue to flourish, and as 

 our artizans almost generally are well employed. Increased 

 consumption cannot fail to have considerable influence upon 

 prices, and apparently those now ruling may be taken as the 

 standard for the greater portion of the present year. If we 

 were in a position to believe the whole of the reports which 

 have come to hand to the effect that a great scarcity of stock 

 exists in nearly all parts of the United Kingdom, higher quo- 

 tations, even with open ports, might be anticipated ; but such 

 a conclusion might lead to erroneous calculations on the part 

 of the breeders and graziers : consequently, losses might result 

 from our taking too sanguine a view of the trade. Higher 

 quotations would, in the ordinary course of things, lead to in- 

 creased importations from Holland and Germany, which from 

 their increased weight — we here refer more particularly to 

 sheep, which of late years have undergone the usual process 

 of crossing with our best native breeds — may eventually have 

 ft greater effect upon prices than appears to be generally 



