486 Agricultural Intell'igence-^England. "Oft. 



liim at the Town-hall on the 26th ult. to fettle the price of wheat ; 

 Avhen all prefent agreed to fell at 12s. per bulhel of 38 quarts, 

 though many have fuld lower, which, I tear, will not be followed 

 up. Our crops have greatly failed for want of rain : before harveft, 

 we had not more than one day's rain for two months : therefore the 

 bulk 13 fmall indeed. I have only thrcfhed a few bnflicls of wheat, 

 for my houfe-confumption ; but the grain, tiiough good, is lighter 

 than ordinary. My barley weighs 60 lib. and oats 48 lib. per 

 cuftomary bufhel of 38 quarts. As yet I have only fold 188 

 buflicls of the former, for which I got 95. ; but ye(terday, owing 

 to a great demand, it got up co 9H. 6d. and los. ; oats, 6s. 6d. to 

 7s. — Lall Thurfday was our great fair. Beails of every kind fold 

 high. 



I will give you an inftance of our oppreiTion from tithes, the 

 major part of which, in this county, fince the days of Henry VIII. 

 are in lay hands. Lall year I paid 34I. in lieu of ihcm. This year 

 I was lutfered to carry, before tht-y iixed the price ; (good weather 

 ought never to be paffed) ; and though I have ten acres of lefs corn 

 than laft year, vet they have charged me 5^!. :o be paid on 26th 

 Januar}'. I wiHi you to read my friend Mr Boulton's letter in the 

 Stafford paper, with attention. Three great Lords have put a ne- 

 gative upon the ineloiure of Needwood foreil, thinking that bene- 

 ficial meafure would interfere with their fai'ounte purfu'U of running 

 after ajlinkingfox. From fuch fricnda to ti'cir country, good Lord 

 deliver me ! 



I once defpaired of my turnips ; but tiie fine rains, iince haiveft, 

 have brought th<-v'i forward beyond all expectation, particularly the 

 Swediih ones, which promife to be an abundant crop. Beef and 

 mutton Vvas yellerday from 5^d. to 6d. per lb. 



Extra£l of a Letter from Rippon, (Tori/bire), Odober 9. 



In hopes of being enabled to inform you, that our crops were 

 fafely harveded, and prices reduced, I have delayed wriling you till 

 this time ; but am forry to fay, that the heavy and continued rains 

 have injured our grain very much, and that there is little of it free 

 from Ip routs. The' prices are rather lower, but by no means fo much 

 reduced as expe6ted ; and I fear they will continue higher than th6 

 poor and middle clafs of people can pofiibly pay. 



A large quantity of potatoes were planted lalt fcafon, but they 

 are faid to be unproductive. The rains at prcfent are great, which 

 will prevent the fallo\i-3, intended for wheat, from being fown in 

 tiue time. 



Prices 



