[ -210 ] [Feb. 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



The late frost, during its continuance, put an entire stop to all field operations, ren- 

 dering ample amends to tlie fyrnier by the benefits it conferred in desiccating and render- 

 ing the soil fiiiible, and in the destruction of the oca of inscctile vermin. There is, 

 however, a counteracting, but ever to be apprehended evil in the destruction which frost 

 necessarily produces in the common turnip, and which, in the present season, may be 

 expected in the extreme degree, from the loose aiid wate]-y state of that root, the conse- 

 quence of a long series of wet weather. In fact, the turnips have been throughout a 

 washy and unsubstantial food, affording very little nourishment to the stock kept u))OU 

 them; and as a rider to this disadvantage, those feeders who have reserved their turnips 

 will in all jirubability tind they have kept them to feed the liost. Strcdis now will 

 indeed prove a golden crop. All the oj)erations of husbandry which were in a commendable 

 state of forwardness, are now resumed, and the culture of the early spring crops will soon 

 commence. 



The short interval of frost was fdled np with foddering cattle wliicli liad been kept 

 abroad to the end of the year, threshing corn, carting manure u]ion the land, and 

 working on the highways. Straw is somewhat below an average (juaiitity, but Jias per- 

 haps been raised above that mark, by the superior produce of autumnal grass, which has 

 supported all sorts of live stock to so late a period of the season. Store and fat stock are 

 lov.cr in jirice, as well as corn, not altogether, probably, in consequence of the late liuan- 

 cial pressures in the country. 



The wool trade is still in a de])ressed state, to be attributed, it is said, to enormous im- 

 portations, which however can have no reference to loiiy wool. Hops seem almost a 

 forgotten article with our correspondents. House-lainb has been long since out of 

 quotation, though still supplied in small quantities. The import of barley has hitherto 

 liad smjiU eficct on the ])rice ; but it is said the importers hold it for a market. Good 

 horses, of the saddle and quick draught kind, have had no decline in i)ri('e, but the great 

 and uncommon import of cart stock from Belgium has considerably reduced the price of 

 that species. 



The country, equally with the metropolis, is gradually recovering from the effects of 

 that alarm occasioned by a suspension both of money payments and of credit, tlie original 

 cause of which, beyond all doubt, subsisted in the excitement of high commercial pros- 

 perity to overtrading and speculation. We cannot obtain unalloyed good ; and if the warn- 

 ing, which ought to spring from this tcmporaiy evil, be properly and generally taken, the 

 balance at last will be on the profit side of the national account. This we know is not 

 the doctrine of a certain dashing and double xx copious i)olitical, and politico-econo- 

 mical AT-Ai.l., who lays such hea\-y loads on poor and generally guiltless currency, dealing 

 in nought but future distress and miseiy, and equitable adjustments — God-wot ! amid the 

 full-tlowing stream of national prosperity and plenty. But his auguries are mere annun- 

 ciations from the (light of birds and of words — verba ventosa. 



The farming interest in the country has experienced far less of the late pressure than 

 the manufacturing. The former had a very good year in the last, and have been generally 

 able to hold their corn, an advantage indeed to the countiy, as well as to themselves. A 

 great green crop of wheat on the ground, with thus far a most favourable aspect, may 

 produce another abundant harvest. The labourers in some poor counties, and indeed 

 ijome others, are still idling and starving on the roads, and too many others poaching. 

 This unfortunate class has been iiardly used, moi'e especially in the dear and piping times 

 of agriculture ; but what is to be said, when a body of labourers is superninnerary, and 

 thence necessarily themselves, through competition, run down the price of their own 

 labour? As to the extra labour required by scientific farming, the generality of farmers 

 will never be induced to employ it, whatever promise might lie in the result. 



There seems to be no great or general apjirehension of much ultimate loss in the coun- 

 try from the failure of the banks, however numerous ; and where men of straw, from their 

 readiness to give credit with their paper, have been trusted, their creditors ought to be 

 so inqxntial as to acknowledge their share of the blame. The Scotch banking system is 

 ^'auntcd, no doubt with great justice ; but the best of all systems subsists in the solidity 

 and integrity of the firm. 



The agricultural interest is all on the qui vice, in preparation for the ensuing parlia- 

 mentary campaign ; but, as the report goes, the opposite party have yet taken few or no 

 nut-door stejis ; and it is presumed, the free-trade party in Parliarnent will not venture to 

 go the lengtli of their principles, without the sanction of numerous petitions from the 

 manufacturiiig and commercial classes. 



Smilhjield. — Beef, 4s. to bs. arf.— Mutton, 3s. lOs. to 5(1. — Veal, 4s. 6d. to 5s. 8d. — 

 Pork, is. 4(/. to 6s. 6(/.— Raw Fat, 2s. 9rf. 



Corn Exchange. — Wheat, 50s. to 75s. — Barley, 38s. to 4Gs. — Oats, 24«. to ."3s. — 

 London loiif of fine Bread, 41b. , lOi/. — Hay, 65s. to 110s.— Clover ditto, 80s. to I25s. — 

 ijtraw, o4:.. C(/. to-i^ris. 



Middlesex, 23d Jnmii.ri/, 1826. 



