414 



THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



AGRICULTURAL REPOR T S 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR APRIL 



During the greater portion of the month the weather has 

 been otherwise than favourable to the progress of Tegetation. 

 The long continuance of easterly winds has imparted an un- 

 healthy appearance to the young wheat plants, which, in moat 

 counties, are unusually backward for the time of year. In 

 reference to the quantity of land undtr wheat culture this 

 year, it eeems to be the general impression that it is consider- 

 ably less than in 1860. We are aware of numerous instances 

 in which it has been found necessary, owing to the scarcity of 

 the plant, to replough the land, for turnips ; nevertheless, 

 our opinion is thai; the actual falling off is much less than 

 some persons imagine. What better or more paying crop 

 thin wheat can now be grown in this country, notwithstanding 

 that there is every prospect of immense importations from the 

 continent and elsevyhere ? Even assuming that the next crop 

 of wheat will be a full average one, and of good quality, prices 

 must of necessity rule high, because u-e have no old stocks to 

 fall back upon to meet the demand. The sowing of Leiit corn 

 has been brought to a close. 



There has been a steady consumptive demand for all good 

 and fine wheats ; but low and damp parcels have commanded 

 very little attention, on easier terms. The sale for all dc- 

 tcriptious of spring corn has continued in a healthy state, and 

 in some instances the currencies have had an upward ten- 

 dency. 



The reduction in the price for accommodatioa, at the 

 Bank of England, has, of course, been followed by a corre- 

 sponding fall in other quarters. Notwithstanding that money 

 is still somewhat dearer than could be desired, the commercial 

 operations of the country, both for home use and export, have 

 increased to some extent, and prices have somewhat improved. 

 Increased commercial prosperity must lead to au increased 

 consumption of food : so that the corn trade is likely to be 

 benefited to eome extent by an active sale for goods in the 

 manufacturing districts. 



Since the close of the public sales of colonial wool in 

 London, and at which a considerable fall took place in prices, 

 the wool trade has shown signs of improvement. In the quo- 

 tations, however, no change has taken place. The next sales 

 ivill commence on the 9th of May, when upwards of 50,000 

 bales will be offered. Last year, the May auctions amounted 

 to 72,000 bales. Tke quantity of the new clip of English 

 vv-ool as yet brought forward is small. We observe more dis- 

 position on the part of foreign buyers to operate in an article 

 which is now tflering at comparatively low rates. 



The metropolitan and most other markets have continued to 

 be well, in some instances heavily supplied with potatoes in 

 excellent condition. Surprise has been txprcsstd in many 

 quarters at the euormcus quantities which continue to find 

 iheir way to London at this period of the year; but the fact 

 ij now patent to all immediately interested, that last year's 

 aggregate produce, especially in Scotland, was considerably 

 larger than was somewhat generally anticipated. The com- 

 parative abundance of potatoes has, of course, had considerable 

 influence upon the value of better kinds of food. 



Hay and straw have come forward somewhat freely. The 

 demand for them is somewhat restricted, as follows : Meadow 

 hay £2 to £.5 5s , clover do. £3 lOs. to £6, and straw £1 I4s. 

 to £2 per load. 



Letters from most parts of the Continent state that agri- 

 cul ure is in a very backward state. The supplies of produce 

 on offer in the various markets, however, continue large, and 

 the demand on English account has somewhat fallen off. 



A que:tioa of considerable importance has sprung up in 

 reference to the actual supply of wheat in the hands of our 

 farmers. On t'le one hand, owing to the large number of 

 stacks in some counties, it is contended thst the quantity is 

 large ; on the other, that the deficiency in the growth is an 

 extensive one. We believe that there is, at least, one-third 

 less wheat on hand than at the corresponding period in 1860, 



and, further, that the deficiency in quality is a most serious 

 one. 



The supplies of barley, beaas, and peas appear to be sea- 

 sonably large ; but those of oats are unusually small ; con- 

 sequently, the consumption in the agricultural districts is now 

 priucipally met by forei;<n importations. 



The transactions in produce, generally, both in Ireland and 

 Scotland, have been on a moderate scale, and prices have 

 shown a tendency to give way. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE 

 PAST MONTH. 



Notwithstanding that our leading markets of coutumption 

 have been seasonably-well supplied with beasts, both as to 

 number and quality, the detnaud for most breeds has ruled 

 steady, and, on the whole, prices have been fairly supported. 

 The Norfolk and Scotch supplies of beasts disposed of ia the 

 Metropolitan market have appeared in admirable condition ; 

 indeed it may be doubted whether better stock, in such large 

 numbers, has ever made its appearance in London at this 

 period of the year. Other English counties have contributed 

 their full average quota, and certaicly in fair condition. Sheep 

 have come to hand somewhat freely ; but we regret to state 

 that numbers of them have been suffering from the effects of 

 foot rot; even many of the best Downs have shown signs 

 of the disease to some extent. The arrival of lamba has been 

 only moderate, and, wiih some few exceptions, their general 

 weight and condition have fallen short of many previous years. 

 The result is that really prime lambs have commanded high 

 rates. There has been a gcod consumptive demand for both 

 calves and pigs, at full quotations. 



Our advices from most of the leading grazing districts are 

 to the effect that beasts have done well, although the quality 

 of last year's food has turned out very inferior. Sheep, how- 

 ever, have continued to show signs of rot, especially in low 

 districts, and it is therefore imagined that tbey will command 

 h'gh rates for soaie time, even though we rnay import liberally 

 from the continent. As far as we can understand the general 

 bearings of the trade, viewed of course in relation to the de- 

 mand, our impression is that the value of all kinds of stock 

 will continue tirm during the whole of the year. What, in 

 point of fact, is likely to reduce it ? Evident'y we are not in 

 a position to over-supply the markets, and unquestionably the 

 consuming powers of the people are in excess of production, 

 however artificially it may be conducted. 



There appears to be a large number of sheep iu Holland 

 ready for shipment to this country ; but the prices demandel 

 for them are too high to admit of speculative operations ; 

 hence shipments will continue to be male on owners' ac- 

 count ; but not, we apprehend, in larger numbers than can be 

 easily disposed of. 



The total impartations into London, during the month, have 

 been as under : 



nEAU. 



Beasts 1,604 



Sheep 8,140 



Calves 837 



Pigs 538 



Total 11,119 



Same time in 1860 10,489 



1859 8,888 



1858 5,998 



1857 4,814 



1856 1,924 



1855 4,253 



1854 4,760 



1853 14,787 



The foregoing comparison shows that we imported a full 

 average number of foreign stock last month. 



