436 Monthly Agrieultural Report. [April, 



gi«at forwardness, whicii they suppose detractire from semination, aiul aiso to destroy 

 the weeds. We hare, indeed, formerly seen in Kent a piece of wheat covered witli 

 both sheep and bullocks witli this intent. In other districts the practice is higlily con- 

 demned, and we think, on practical gi-ounds, with sufticient reason. It is at any rate a 

 most slovenly and unworkmanlike custom. We have seen however, in a former report, 

 a condemnation of this practice, and the substitute proposed of harrowing and drilling 

 at nine inches, vvith the view of destroying weeds ; a drill by which we should suppose 

 the weeds not likely to experience much disturbance, one in fact standing in very close 

 relationship to broad casting. In certain districts, at this very late date, the introduction 

 is noted of setting and drilling pease and beans ; but the drilling of wheat and other com 

 seems not yet within contemplation. 



The early sown barleys have sprung up with remarkable vigour, covering the land very 

 thickly. Same of the beans and pease ; the former, however, were not so early ))lanted 

 as in some seasons. Oats may be considered as the latest sown spring crop, being in 

 hand in this vicinity at the present time. Should genial weather succeed the present 

 chills, grass will be fonvard and abundant. Seeds and young clovers are good, but a 

 considerable part of the wnter tares were damaged by the frost. The early fruit 

 blossoms have suffered in some degree from the rude visitings of the east wind, which 

 have also slightly affected the colour of the wheat in high and exposed situations. The very 

 necessary branch of planting forest trees has been attended to during the last winter in 

 several counties, wliere coppices have been stubbed up or worn out. Yet timber and 

 bark are a dull trade. The stock of wheat in the country is very considerable, notwith- 

 standing it holds price more firmly than any other article of produce. Farming leases are 

 reported to have been taken last Michaelmas at a considerable advance of rent} the 

 prudence or the reverse of wliich adventure may be shortly apparent. 



Winter grazing and feeding is said generally to have been a loosing concern, which 

 must then have chiefly originated in the liigh price of the stores, since the meat markets 

 have surely, until of late, maintained a most respectable price. Stores have been yet 

 held back for an advance, which obviously the times will not support. The loss of 

 turnips in consequence of the frost has been borne without any very heavy incon- 

 venience, our other resources having been so ample. Lambing has commenced with 

 general success, subject as usual to partial detractions. The country is full of a healthy 

 live stock, with the most ample means for its support. The price of fat stock has suf- 

 fered a considerable decline, particularly of bacon hogs. Horses, perhaps, of all de- 

 scriptions, since our last, are dearer. Com has declined gradually and slowly, and will, 

 in all probability, continue to do so, from causes independent of the late commercial 

 embarrasment. The manufacturing labourers throughout the country are in circum- 

 stances of far greater distress than those engaged in agriculture. The wool-trade re- 

 mains in a most inauspicious statu quo, both here and upon the continent ; in both parts 

 vast stocks remaining on hand. 



However ungracious the attempt, it cannot be unmete or improper to counsel the 

 farming interest against the probable ill effects of that despondence, which seems to 

 prevail amongst them, on the prospect of a free trade in corn, the immediate disadvan- 

 tages of which will be best met aiid counteracted by far other dispositions. That the 

 tlye is cast, there can be little doubt ; not the ministiy merely, or the class of political 

 economists, but the people of England have resolved on free trade : they will consent 

 no longer to purchase the staff of life at a monopoly price, for the support of a particular 

 class. A commercial and manufacturing counti-y naturally aims at purchasing com 

 where it can be had at the cheapest rate. The effects of the late pressures seem gradually 

 wearing away ; reasoners on that gloomy subject seem to have made great use of the 

 figure hysteron proteron, or setting the cart before the horse. Not currenaj but speculation 

 >vas the prime delinquent ; for liad speculation remained under the guidance of common- 

 sense, and had not those numerous companies started from New Bedlam, and the native 

 ■region of farce and burlesque, currency, gold or paper, would have remained in a mighty 

 harmless state of quiescence, as they are probable now to continue, after the Westminster 

 Milk Company and their 640 odd cows hiive flitted off the scene ! ! ! When are we to be 

 satisfied? Formerly, or latterly, gold was fiercely demanded and paper decried. Now 

 paper is to save the state, or the country, by supporting the price of com. There is 

 much delusion in all this — a sufficiency of gold, as formerly, may be easily pro^^ded to 

 answer the amount of small notes, and supply the demand of the country. Not that 

 there can be any rational objection to good notes, whether large or small ; a paper currency 

 }S of the first importance, e .'en absolutely necessary to a great commercial nation. 



Smithfield. — Beef, is. to 5s.— ::\Iutton, .3s. 6d. to 5s. 2d. — Veal, 5s. to 6s. 8d. — Pork, 

 4«. to 6s. — Lamb, 5s. to 7s. 6d — Raw Fat, 2s. 2d. 



Corn ExeJiange,— Wheat, 44s. to 70s.— Barley, 26s. to 40s.— Oats, 23s. to 33s.— 

 London loaf of fine Bread, 41b. , 9i</. — Hay, 62s. to 100s.— Clover ditto, 65s. to 1 I2s.— 

 Straw, 36s. to 45s. 



Coals in the pool, 28s. 6d to 37s. 6d. per chaldron. 

 Middlesex, March 20th, 1826. 



