THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE, 



507 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURA.L REPORT FOR MA.Y. 



Owing to the prevaleuce of cold north-easterly winds vege- 

 tation generally made very slow progress during the first three 

 weeks of tlie month, and apprehensions were entertained that 

 the harvest would not only be Uta, but unproductive. The 

 temperature having risen considerably since the period here 

 indicated, the appearance of the country has undergone a most 

 beneficial change. In all quarters the crops have grown 

 somewhat rapidly, and the young wheat plants have assumed 

 indications of comparative health and strength. We may 

 observe, hewever, that ou many of the light soils they are very 

 thin, indeed unusually so in some districts, and as far as we 

 can judge at present, that they do not promise a large return. 

 Barley and oata appear to have suderod considerably from un- 

 seasonable weather ; nevertheless, our advices are not of a 

 character to warrant us iu saying that there will be any great 

 deficiency iu the yield. Both beans and peas, though very 

 backward, are looking well. 



The stocks of wheat in the hands of our farmers are now 

 reduced to a narrow compass. Notwithstanding that the 

 general quality of the samples has improved, and that high 

 quotations continue to be realized for nil good and fine sam- 

 ples, the supplies ou offer in the various niatkets of consump- 

 tion have not increased ; yet the trade, arising from large 

 importations from the Continent and America, has ruled very 

 inactive, and] in some instances prices have had a drooping 

 tondeney. The advance in the value of money at the Bank 

 of England to 6 per cent, has, no doubt, had considerable in- 

 fluence npon the extent of speculative operations in foreign 

 qualities, to force sales of which 23. per qr. less money must 

 have been accepted by the holders. As regards the future 

 range iu the price of wheat, various opinions are entertained. 

 Some persons have intimated that good wheats must be com- 

 paratively dear for several months. Their value, however, 

 will be chiefly determined by the quality and productiveness 

 of this year's crop, and to some extent by the price of money 

 in the discount market. One thing is evident, viz., that we 

 shall continue to receive an enormous import of foreign pro- 

 duce, since we find that great abundance still exists in the 

 Northarn States of America, and that the supplies in the 

 European markets are fully adequate to even an increased 

 export demand. At present, there is no room for an im- 

 provement iu the quotations, in consequence of an accumula- 

 tioa of stock in our warehouses ; but we do think that 

 there is room for a decline in the value of most kinds of 

 wheat. 



There has been only a moderate inquiry for all descriptions 

 of spring corn. The return of warm weather has checked the 

 sale for maltiug barlej', and the abundance of grass in the 

 pastures has produced souie heaviness in the oat trade. 

 The stocks of English are unusuully small, even for the time 

 of year. 



Fat stock has fared remarkably well. The somewhat rapid 

 growth of grass has produced a good supply of food, and it is 

 gratifj'iug to find that the rot in sheep has become much less 

 apparent than at any period during the whole of the present 

 year. 



The public sales of colonisl wool— at which about 60,000 

 bales will be brought forward— have progressed steadily. All 

 good and flue qualities have moved off steadily, at full quota- 

 tions ; but low parcels have ruled in favour of buyers. The 

 transactions for shipment to France and Belgium have 

 amounted to about 8,000 bales. English wools have com- 

 manded rather more attention, but no quotable change has 

 taken place in their value. The supplies in the hands of our 

 manufacturers continue limited. 



The best hsy and straw have been in good request, at full 

 prices; but inferior kinds have commanded less attention. 

 Most of the markets have been seasonably-well supplied. 

 Meadow hay real zed £2 to £5 Ss., clover-"hay £3 10s. to £6, 

 Gs.andstraw £1 15«. to £2 2s. per load. There is still a large 

 quantity of inferior meadow hay in stack in various parts of 

 the country. The duty on the present year's growth of hops 



has been done at £150,000 and £130,000, aud the accounts 

 in reference to the appearance of the bine are somewhat un- 

 favourable. The continuous importation of foreign hops has 

 greatly interfered with the demand for home-grown qualities, 

 but without leading to any further decline in the quotations. On 

 the contrary, yearling hops have produced rather moie money. 



For the time of year, large supplies of potatoes, in fair sale- 

 able condition, have been on sale in the metropolitan markets. 

 Good and prime samples have sold at from 120s. to 150i. per 

 ton, but other kinds have moved oil slowly at from 60s. to 110s. 

 per ton. Mew potatoes have been in request, at from lOs. to ' 

 20s. per cwt. The growth of potatoes promises to be a large 

 one. Everywhere the haulm is remarkably healthj-, and the 

 tubers are, for the most most part, sound. Accounts from 

 Guernsey aud Jersey state that the potato crop is looking well. 



Fine wheat, barley, and oats have continued in steady re- 

 quest in most of the Scotch markets, at about stationary 

 prices, but other kinds have commaudedleas attention. Some 

 correspondents state that the supplies on hand are still in ex- 

 cess of last year, notwithstanding the somewhat heavy ship- 

 meats to the south. Other kinds of produce have sold slowly, 

 but at full quotations. The crops generally are looking well, 

 though somewhat backward. 



In Ireland, the grain trade has been very inactive ; never- 

 theless, no change of importance has taken place in prices. 

 The supplies of produce on offer have not increased to any 

 extent, although the importations from abroad have been 

 liberal. Potatoes are, for the most part, looking well. 



REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING THE 

 PAST MONTH. 

 Notwithstanding that the Metropolitan Market has not been 

 to say largely supplied with beasts, the demand, since we last 

 wrote, has been somewhat inactive, and in some instances 

 the quotations have had a drooping tendency. The general 

 quality of the stock received from Norfolk and Scotland has 

 proved remarkably good ; indeed, we have seldom witnessed 

 a finer collection, both as regards weight aud condition. The 

 crosses have appeared in prime order, aud most of them have com- 

 manded the highest quotations. This speaks well for the new 

 system, which, we doubt not, will contiuue profitable so long 

 as it is not carried too far. In the early part of the month, 

 nearly all breeds of sheep showed signs of foot rot ; but, since 

 then, a decided improvement has taken place in them, and 

 the disease appears to be rapidly subsiding. Downs and 

 half-bred sheep have sold readily, at improved quotations ; 

 but other breeds have met a slow inquiry, at about previous 

 rates. Lambs, calves, and pigs, have continued in fair request, 

 at fuil currencies. Very favourable accounts have come to 

 hand from nearly all parts of the country in reference to the 

 appearance of the pastures. There is nosv every appearance 

 of a full average crop of hay, and, consequently, an abund- 

 ance of grass for both beast and sheep. This abundance will, 

 we trust, do much for Lincolnshire, &c,, in the production of 

 stock for London for the next sis months. 



The imports of foreign stock have been on a fair average 

 scale, or as follows : head. 



Beasts 2,118 



Sheep 14,316 



Lambs 665 



Calves .. .. •• •• •• "59 



Pigs 820 



Total 18,978 



Same time in 1860 18 900 



1859 10,718 



1858 6,703 



1857 7,243 



1856 3,556 



1855 7,103 



1854 4,703 



1853 13,007 



1852 .. 8,506 



