Bec ia a [Juxy, 
MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 5 
The previous state of the weather may weil form the leading topic of an Agricultural 
Report, seeing that, therein subsists cur grand dependence for success, in the abundance 
and good quality of our crops. During the last three or four weeks, our meteorologies 
have considerable improved. We have been free from those chilling blasts which suspend 
the circulation of the juices in plants, impede their growth, and induce the blighted, or sickly 
state. The first symptom, of this, is a change of colour from the vivid and healthy green to 
a pale yellow, and a roughness on the surface of the leaves, followed by mucor or mould, 
consisting of the ova or eggs of insects, each species of vegetable having its peculiar blight- 
insect. In the wheat particularly, part of this mwcor becomes a fetid black powder, tech- 
nically known by the name of smué, which is found in lumps or balls amongst the kernels, 
discolouring and rendering them impure and unfit for bread, although they serve to make 
gingerbread and starch. It has been a controverted point, for more than a century, 
whether this disease of smut originate from infection of the seed, or the evil influence of the 
atmosphere, or from both; and rivers of ink have been poured upon mountains of paper, 
in order to lighten the darkness visible of this subject, which, nevertheless, with regard to 
the majority, still clings fast to its pristine obscurity. 
Since the change adverted to, the weather has assumed a far milder character, though 
still a very capricious one; for, in no spring which the writer has witnessed, did he ever 
observe the wind more variable. In fact, it frequentlymight well be described as E. by W. 
and N. by S. There have been some heavy gales, and daily continued showers, which 
last, we hope, will diminish the energies of that periodically micturient saint, the notorious 
Swithin. The general, though moderate warmth of the weather, has prevented any injury 
from the quantity of rain ; indeed, vegetation has been greatly improved and forwarded by 
the warm showers which have falien. The wheats are highly improved, and there is every 
appearance that they now experience a very favourable blooming season, in the phrase of 
the old farmers, half the battle. The peas, preceding the wheats, have blossomed most 
luxuriantly. The showers also must have been of great benefit to the hops, at least to those 
not beyond recovery, in washing off the vermin and giving strength to the bine. As we 
stated last month, the grasses, natural and artificial, including tares, are the most luxuriant 
crops of the present season, of which, moreover, there is at present, great hope of a success- 
ful general average of all crops. Peas, always a risk crop, will prove defective, in parts. 
The showers will force a large bulk of straw, so that the crops of hay and straw are likely to be 
superabundant ; the former, however, will be partially discoloured by the rain, not, we trust, 
to any great extent or injury. , 
It is quite necessary to state that, in our estimation of the wheat crop, considerable 
deduction must be made for those lands and districts, on which the blight had for a con- 
siderable time its full baleful effect. These were chiefly poor, shallow, and wet clays, and 
other cold and naturally unfertile soils. On such, the corn will be generally short in quan- 
tity, and ofa very ordinary sample; and in poppy-/and, and wherever cultivation has been 
defective, matters will be still worse. On such soils, complaint is made that the ear of 
wheat is so weak, as to be unable to eliminate itself from the hose, remaining half out and 
curling or bending downwards. This we have often remarked, and it is the true indication 
of a blighting season. Assuredly, had the evil atmospheric influence continued two or 
three weeks longer, the whole of the crops would have been in the utmost peril; and 
favourable as the change has been, it is probable, next season that a line will be wanted 
for black wheats, in the market lists. 
An immense breadth of mangel wurtzel has been sown; and upon the forward lands, 
that most valuable beet, and the Rutabega, or Swedish turnip, are above ground, and in a 
very healthy and flourishing state, with some exceptions from the presence of the fly. The 
common turnip sowing is nearly finished, and under the happiest auspices of season. Agri- 
culture, like all other human employments and amusements, has its fashions, and in equal 
variety. Winter sown beans and peas, which have been so many years slumbering, have 
of late revived with pristine success, and winter barley will probably follow. The hardy 
Scotch cabbage, such a favourite in the early days of Arthur Young, has been for some 
time making its way again in the North. Melilot, a still more ancient article, is under 
experiment in a few places. It produces a great bulk, and is not difficult in respect of 
soil. The breadth of oats is said to be unusually large, with good promise of a crop, and 
the barley promises well. Potatoe planting has been very successfully finished, though 
late ; as was the case with barley from the difficulties of the season. The present seems.a 
plentiful year for oak bark, the demand somewhat brisk. The various reports on the stock 
in hand, of wheat and barley, as usual, local, and little to be depended on, in a general 
view. : 
Sheep farmers are now busily employed in washing and shearing their flocks, from which 
there will probably be the weightiest clip of wool that has been obtained for many seasons. 
This has arisen mainly from the good and sufficient provision which the sheep have enjoyed 
throughout the winter and early spring. The shows of rams also, among the breeders and 
letters, have been remarkable for the size, fine form, and condition of the animals, and the 
prices have been liberal. In some districts, it is observed that the feeding grounds exuber= 
nt 
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