18 



1,020,867 bushels; buckwheat, 1,529,762 bushels; potatoes, 16,663,083 bushels; 

 total, 19,670,381 bushels. 



What will be the probable demand on the United States for its breadstufiPs 

 during the next twelve months becomes an important inquiry to every citizen. 

 We have seen that our chief market for them is in England, and its demand 

 may be inferred from the character of its crops. 



THE ENGLISH HARVEST OF 1863. 



Although the greatly diminished fall crops of our coimtry make the foreign 

 demand for our breadstufis of less interest than usual, yet as decreased exports 

 will advance the market value of gold, the country must spare every bushel of 

 grain it possibly can to prevent such advance, or it must diminish the consump- 

 tion of imports to lessen tlie demand for gold. Hence, still, the condition of the 

 English market is of much interi^st to us. 



We have seen the fluctuating character of the English market for breadstuffs, 

 and that its deficit was unusually great in 1861 and 1862, and more than 

 usually great in 1863. But all accounts of the English harvest since the 

 middle of August, when it commenced, go to show that the crops just harvested 

 have been unusually large ; and that the demand will fluctuate back to one of 

 its lowest points. Some portion of the harvest time Avas unfavorable on ac- 

 count of rain, but the crops were secui-ed without much injury ; a discoloration 

 of a part of the grain was the most of its extent. The London Times of 

 September 21 contains a good many notices of the conclusion of the harvest 

 operations, and we refer briefly to a few of them to exhibit their general 

 character. 



" DcvovsJiirc. — The weather of last week favorable; a good deal of barley, 

 slightly damag(!d by the wet, was harvested in much better condition than ex- 

 pected. 1'he root crops are very fine and abundant, and potatoes are a prolific 

 crop." 



" Dvndee. — Harvest operations drawing to a close; the weather all that could 

 be desired ; the quality of the new crop improves on further acquaintance, and 

 farmers are generally satisfied with both the grain and the green crops." 



" At Cheltenham market, on Thursday, the trade was again in a very de- 

 pressed state, and prices were fully 3 shillings (72 cents) per quarter (9J Amer- 

 ican bushels) in favor of buyers." 



" Grantham. — The yield of both wheat and barl(;y is large." 



" hcirestcr. — The demand was inactive at 48 to 72 cents per quarter less 

 money." 



" i)hcstcrjicld. — Thew'eather during the week has been finer, and most of the 

 wheat left out has l)een got in, though a considerable quantity has become 

 damaged by s])i outing." 



" Mall on. — Weather good; wheat in good condition; the supply in market 

 great to-day, and freely off'ered at a reduction of last week's rates of fully four 

 shillings (ninety-six cents) per quarter." 



A more recent account of the English harvest states : " Since our last a con- 

 siderable quantity of rain has fallen, but owing to the great progress already 

 made with the harvest, it has had no further effect upon the trade than to cause 

 a slightly firmer feeling here, (London,) as most of the country markets are 

 again reported lower." The price had advanced eighteen cents per quarter — 

 about two cents ])er American bushel. 



- The English prices of Avheat in September of each of these years have been 

 as follows : 1860, $1 62 per American bushel ; 1861,81 45; 1862, $140; and 

 1863, ^1 16. 



The present price, and the above accounts of the excellence of the English 

 harvest, present no prospect of an unusual foreign demand for our breadstuff's 



