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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 FEBRUARY. 



The weather having been dry, when compared with many 

 previous corresponding periods of the year, considerable 

 progress has been made in ploughing and sowing in nearly 

 all parts of the United Kingdom ; indeed, we believe that, 

 with a very few exceptions, out-door farm labours sre now 

 quite aa forward as in the ordinary run of years. This is an 

 important feature at this moment, because upon it, in a great 

 measure, depends the productiveness of the forthcoming 

 crop. We regret to find that, in almost every locality in 

 England, the quality of last year's wheat is still proving 

 very inferior. In point of fact, it would appear that not 

 more than one-third of the entire growth is fit for millers' 

 purposes, without a lar^e admixture of foreign produce. It 

 seems to follow, therefore, notwithstandiog the enormous 

 supplies of foreign grain and flour still on hand, and the 

 prospect of heavy importations during the next four or five 

 months, that good and fine wheats, both English and foreign, 

 will command high currencies, certainly until the result of 

 the next harvest is known. In some quarters the barley 

 crop is turning out much better than was at one time antici- 

 pated; still, a large quantity of it grown for malting pur- 

 poses has proved unfit for the malt-kdn. Considering the 

 extent of the consumption in this country, it is clear that 

 we shall be compelled to import barley extensively from our 

 usual sources of supply. As regards oats, the yield is ver}' 

 deficient ; but the produce of both beans and peas has 

 proved somewhat large. 



The metropolitan markets still continue to be heavily sup- 

 plied witb potatoes, coastwise and by land carriage, in, for 

 the most part, good saleable condition. Our readers are 

 aware that for several months we have contended that the 

 produce of the potato crop last year, both in England and 

 Scotland, was a large one, even after making due allow.ance 

 for extensive leases by disease. To prove the accuracy of 

 our views, we need only refer to the present state of our 

 markets, and the continuous decline in the quotations, which 

 now range from COs. to I8O3. per ton. The stocks still on 

 hand io Scotland, and some of our midland counties, are re- 

 presented as lar^e ; hence, consumption will be easily met 

 for some time. The abundance of potatoes, however, can 

 scarcely affect the future value of wheat. We may import 

 largely, and corn bills may be looked upon with some sus- 

 picion by the bankers; but we believe that the wheat trade, 

 as respects the value of good and fine samples, was never iu 

 a firmer position than it now is. The fact is that the lead- 

 ing importing houses will decline to force sales, knowing 

 that the millers must purchase of them considerably more 

 than ordinary supplies, and that they have little or no com- 

 petition on the part of the English growers to contend 

 against. With reference to spring corn, one thing is clear, 

 viz , that prices must of neceasity continue steady ; still it is 

 equally clear that the English cultivators are receiving a 

 very poor return for the crops produced in I8G0, arising 

 from ihe wretched condition iu which they were harvested. 



The public sales of colonial wool, at which about 50,000 

 bales will be offered, have been commenced in London ; but 

 we apprehend that they will close in a most unsatisfactory 

 manner. At the same period last year, under 30,000 bales 

 were brought to the hammer, with money at 4 per cent. 

 As the demand for wool in the manufacturing districts, 

 arising from the almost entire absence of orders from 

 America for woollen goods, has fallen off considerably, and 

 as very few transactions have been reported for export to 

 the continent, we must look forward to considerable heavi- 

 ness in the trade for some time. Shearing has been partly 

 commenced iu some counties, nnd the growth of wool is 

 proving quite equal to last year. 



The cattle trade has continued in a healthy state, yet 

 prices have shown rather less firmness. The inferior condi- 



tion of last year's crops of hay and roots is very much 

 against the production of live stock. 



Rather a heavy fall, owing to large importations from 

 abroad, has lately taken pla:e in the value of hops, which 

 are on show in very poor condition. Comparatively speak- 

 ing, very few hops have come to hand from Germany ; but 

 from other parts of the Continent the supplies have been 

 liberal. From New York the arrivals still continue 

 very large, and, on the whole, of fair average quality. The 

 present value of the best hops is £10 per cwt. 



Increased supplies of both hay and straw having ap- 

 peared on sale, the trade generally has fallen otf, and prices 

 have had a drooping tendency. Meadow hay is now selling 

 at from £2 to £.5 5s , clover £3 to £5 I5s., and straw £1 lOs. 

 to £1 I83. per load. 



The Scotch markets have been fairly supplied with 

 wheat in somewhat prime condition, and all kinds have 

 changed hands steadily, at full quotations. Barley and oats 

 have continued in request, partly on English account ; but 

 other kinds of produce have commanded very little atten- 

 tion. 



In Ireland no particular movement has been observed in 

 the grain trade, and scarcely any change has taken place in 

 the quotations. The export demand has not improved. 

 Potatoes still continue to hold oat extremely well. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE 

 PAST MONTH, 



Notwithstanding that the various markets for consumption 

 have been seasonably well supplied with each kind of stock, 

 the cattle trade, generally, has continued in a healthy state; 

 nevertheless, on the whole, prices have shown somewhat lees 

 firmness than in the previous month. It ia very satisfactory 

 to be enabled to state that the arrivals of beasts up to the 

 Metropolitan Market have been in much better condition than 

 for some time past, and that, consequently, they have com- 

 manded corresponding quotations. Our advices, both from 

 Scotland and Norfolk, are of a favourable character as regards 

 the condition of the stock on hand ; hence, we may, therefore, 

 look forward to good saleable arrivals during the next four 

 months, unless, indeed, disease should become more prevalent 

 than it now is. As regards sheep, a worse state of things has 

 prevailed. At least, two-thirds of the supplies exhibited in 

 London have been in very middling condition, whilst not a 

 few of them have shown signs of foot-rot. Prime stock has 

 therefore realized high quotations, say 5s, 8d. to 6s. in the 

 wool, and 43. lOd. to 5s. out of the wool, and which we think 

 will be supported for some time. 



Although money is very dear in the discount market, and 

 although commerce is iu a comparatively stagnant state, con- 

 sumption of meat in the metropolis and elsewhere appears to 

 be very large ; so large, indeed, that the whole of our importa- 

 tions from abroad are readily cleared off at what we consider 

 high quotations. Advices from Holland state that the num- 

 bers of beasts and sheep in course of fattening for the English 

 markets are decidedly in excess of last year. The high rates 

 at which most of the sheep have found buyers appear to have 

 given a great stimulus to the production of stock in that coun- 

 try, from whence, no doubt, we shall import liberally during 

 the remainder of the season. Dutch sheep now arriving ia 

 this country, and which continue to carry a large quantity of 

 internal fat, thereby adding eo much to their market value, 

 are almost wholly composed of crosses with our best breeds, 

 chiefly the black-faced. Indeed, it is remarkable with what 

 rapidity the pure breeds of Holland have been changed into 

 stock of a comparatively first-class quality. In reference to 

 the German sheep, which still only command from 18s. to 2l9. 

 each, we may obser»e that not the slightest improvement has 

 taken place in chera ; still they find buyer?, chiefly for con- 



