1 8,00, Idl 



PART III. 



AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE. 



The year 1799 will lyng be diftinguithed in the annals of 

 this country, as remarkably unfavourable to the operations 

 of hufbandry ; and it is with much regret that we open this de- 

 partment of our work at fuch an eventful period. Circum- 

 ftanced as we are, it is our duty to flate facts, however dif- 

 treffing the narration may be ; for a different condu6l would 

 not only be unprodu(51ive of the fmalleft advantage, but might 

 lead the public into a liftlefs and fatal fecurity, and prevent 

 the neceffary meafures from being timeoully ufed for procur- 

 ing additional fupplies, and for fupporting the induftrious 

 poor, who are unable to purchafe provifions at the prefent 

 fcale of prices. 



Before we detail the different articles of intelligence com- 

 municated to us, it appears very neceffary to give a fhort vievy 

 of rural economy during the lafl year. Imperfeifl as this hafty 

 Iketch mud be, confidering the variety of foil, climate, and 

 pra£lices of Great Britain, we judge it may be of fome utility. 

 If it does not add to the ftock of information already in the 

 poffeffion of our readers, it n.uft at leafh be acceptable ; as it 

 brings into a fmall compafs the feveral circumitances which, 

 contributed to produce the prefent manifold diftreffes. 



At the conclufion of the preceding year, a brighter profpe£l 

 was feldom prefented to the farmer. The fallows were com- 

 pletely wrought. The wheat fields, which were univerfally 

 fown in excellent condition, were covered by the fined and 

 clofeft braird. The ploughing for Spring grain was far ad- 

 vanced ; and, in a word, every operation of hufbandry had 

 been executed in fuch a manner, as afforded good caufe to 

 expedl they would be crowned with a rich and abundant crop. 

 The firft reverfe of this pieafant profpedl was experienced in 

 the months. of February and March, from a long and fevere 

 ftorm of fnow, which was fucceeded by rainy weather, and 

 oecafioned a large proportion of beans and oats to be put into 

 the ground while it was in an unfavourable condition. Heavy 

 rains about the firll of May likewife retarded the fowing of 

 barley, and in a great meafure ruined the furrow drills of 

 beans upon the wet and hea-C'y lands. 



Yet ail thefe circumilances would not have oecafioned a 

 bad crop, though a later harvclVthan ufual v»'ould neeeffarily 

 have been the ccnfcquence. 'l"he r\\f weather, from the 

 niidcile of June to the end of July, produced a mod furprifmg 



G 'i alter At iotx 



