1826.] ■ [ 96 ] 



MONTHLY COMMERCIAL REPORT. 



Cotton Wool. — No alteration in prioes: the market continues extremely dull in conse- 

 quence of the recent ftiilurcs in the manufncturinjj^ towns of Lancafhire, &c. 



Sugar. — The market is in a niont fle|)rcsscd state, both aniouf!: ihe exporters and the 

 grocers; so that we quote incur i)ricc-einTeut the highest prices, asked or obtained, 

 without any appearance of amendment. 



Coffee. — The same may be said of this article, there being little or no demand for 

 exportation or home consumption. 



Rum, Brandy and Hollandx. — Very little doincf in the market in Rum; the reduction 

 of duty on this article, on tlic oth instant, prevent buyers from ])urchasinrj. Brandy ratlier 

 advanced in price for Cogniacs ; but Hollands Geneva continues low at our quotations of 

 2s. per gallon in bond. 



Spices. — The market is greatly depressed, owing to the scarcity of money ; and 

 Nutmegs are full Is. per lb. now undel' our prices stated: the san;e may be said of all 

 other kinds of spices. 



Teas. — The trade has experienced a great depression ; Boheas have been sold from i<!. 

 to 5d. per lb. under the sale price, and all other sorts in the like proy^ortion. 



Tobacco — The late speculations in this article have caused the chief of the imports 

 from America to come to this coimtry. The stock in London is estimated at 27,20()hhds., 

 and in consequence of the few export orders, and trilling demand from the trade, 

 prices are expected lower. The quantity delivered last month was about 150 hhds. for 

 exportation, and 3.J0 hhds. for home consumption. 



Oil. — There is a reduction of £\. \Gs io £2. per tun in the price of this article, and 

 Olive Oil is also on the decline. 



Irixh Prmnnions are extremely dull, and little or no business doing in Beef, Pork, 

 Butter or Bacon. 



Hemp, Flax, and Tallow. — In these articles no alteration of prices has taken place, 

 but the nuu'ket continues dull. 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



With respect to the common routine of country affairs and of culture, nothing of 

 novelty presents, a usual case with the jncsent season of the year. 'J'lie state of the 

 weather has been the most prominent topic with our correspondents. Considerable da- 

 miige, from high winds and hail-storms, lias occurred in some parts of the country, and 

 dining the last two or three weeks so much rain has fallen, that the low and heavy lands 

 havel)ecome saturated, or rather deluged, and the ))lough has been nearly at a stand. 

 This, however, has not alfected the high and dryer grounds, where culture has jiroceeded 

 with little interrui>tion, and, in general, the spring tilths are sutfu-ienti)- forward. The 

 Museasonahle warmth and su])erahmidant moisture has had an unfavourable effect on 

 lualth, in the most exposed districts ; but within the last two days a favourable cliange 

 has taken place ; and who can tell but a hard winter may ensue, and 'Mr. Col)bett may 

 be right for once, although generally the most unfortunate of modern ))rophets ! On tlie 

 sound lands, the cattle and shcc]) are yet abroad, in abundant grass keep, or the latter 

 hurdled on turni|is ; but where this advantage has been im])rovidently aimed at, on lands 

 of an opiiosite description, the consequence has, or assuredly will be, injuiious to tlie 

 stock: not only in regard to their health, but to their improvement in condition, which 

 never can result from food, the substance and nutriment of which is entirely washed out ; 

 on the contrary, this kind of keej) and time, are entirely thrown away. The homestall 

 and winter early quarters are the only and really profitable plan in the case, though cus- 

 tom and ])rejudice, and a left-handed \iew. of interest, even yet, and after so long and 

 ainmally reiterated warnings, stand in the way. This too just reproof most unaccount- 

 ably applies, in an especial manner, to the famous county of Kent, where the periodical 

 retting, and destruction of thousands of sheep, and the well-pointed ridicule of our Con- 

 tinental competitors, have hitherto failed to work a cure ! The common tuniips, how- 

 ever, improved by warm and moist weather, are yet unsubstantial food, and spend very 

 quickly ; and the chief dependance for the spring must lie in that most excellent root, 

 tlie rutabar/a or Swede ; never cultivated to a sufficient extent, and on the mangel trvrzel, 

 a root indeed of inferior quality, but vast in production : these, too, economized by tlie 

 abundance of grass, hay, and winter green crops. In the great cattle counties, however, 

 and where stall-feeding is practised to a great extent, there is some api)rehensions of a 

 defective spring supply, and the import of oil-cake has of late been perhajjs beyond pre- 

 cedent. We have long entertained a suspicion, on practical grounds, that the juofft and. 

 loss of oil-cake feeding has not yet been submitted to the ordeal of a strict Debtor and 



