1828.] Monthly Agricultural Report. 657 
as cattle food. Foreign wheat being now admissable at the low duty, one shilling per 
quarter, has, for the present, considerably reduced prices. Clover seed was well harvested, 
but the crop has nothing to boast of, whether in regard to quantity or quality. The crop 
of hops is full as large as was expected, and good samples are in request at a considerable 
price. The holders of wool say, there is as little demand for it, as though the article were 
out of use ; nor is there any prospect of a change, unless some improvement can be made 
in our British short wools, on which subject we recommend to our flock masters a perusal 
of Mr. Trimmer’s pamphlet, published by Ridgway. 
The dryness and fineness of thé season has had a material good effect on the grass, 
rendering it more nutritious to cattle than latter grass usually is found ; but, in low situa- 
tions, there is much risk with sheep upon the meadows ; this circumstance has contributed 
to enhance the price of cattle, particularly cows, which bring great prices : those forward in 
calf, indeed, are very dear. The rot in sheep, most unfortunately, considering the dear- 
hess of provisions, has made an alarming progress upon all unsound lands, and its usual 
concomitant, the foot-rot, is also complained of. For the first, when the constitution is 
thoroughly affected, there is noremedy ; but timely care will remove the foot-rot, a species 
of chilblain, the ancient and effective remedial process for which, is well known to all 
shepherds ; but being attended with considerable trouble, they are not always disposed to 
take time by the forelock. The feet of those that appear to limp or halt, must be care- 
fully examined, and washed clean with soap and warm water, and the animals housed 
a while upon a dry floor, spread with fresh slacked lime. Should, subsequently, inflamma- 
tion continue, with the growth of fungous flesh, the usual escharotic, butter of antimony, 
may be moderately applied to the parts, with a feather ; finally, and most materially, the 
convalescents, when turned off again, should be provided with dry and sound pasturage ; 
and the disease being infectious, separation is of the utmost consequence. 
Upon arable farms, the luxuriance of the young stubble grasses has produced a great 
and wholesome resource for stock. The quantities.of all kinds of cattle and sheep food 
for winter supply, hay, straw, late grass, reots, are immense; but the feeders complain that 
they have thence been compelled to purchase their stores at too high a price ; nevertheless, 
they who are fortunate in the improvement of their cattle, will scarcely fail of an indem- 
nification in the spring markets. The horse market has undergone no change, nor is it 
probable, from the enormous destruction and consumption of that most unfortunate race 
of animals. Pigs, which had given way some time since, are again rallying in price, and 
it is said the country is yet understccked with that important species. 
Wishing to impress upon the minds of those, in whose power the remedy, if any there 
_ be, must lie, we make a quotation from our October report: “‘ It is, in fact, a strange oc- 
currence, that the most important occupation, in the most flourishing and opulent coun- 
* try upon the face of the earth, should be so managed as to be incapable of giving bread 
for the labour it requires. Something, surely, must be radically wrong—must be rotten 
to the core, in such a state of things.” Here we have one, if not the principal cause, 
of that excessive demoralization which has so long prevailed among the lower classes in 
the country. Our correspondents, particularly from the west, express much alarm from 
~ the distress which may be expected among the labourers, during the coming winter, 
assuring us, at the same time, that itis utterly out of the power of the tenantry to make 
_ any addition to the present rate of wages, however insufficient, Perhaps ancient custom 
weighs too powerfully with them, and they do not make a fair balance of the account, as 
connected with the heavy expence of supporting paupers. A due consideration of the 
old plan of allowing the labourers each a small quantity of land, which has lately, in seve- 
ral parts of the country, been successfully experimented, is submitted to the serious con- 
sideration of land-holders and the heads of parishes. For examples, we refer to the course 
ted py the worthy Rector of Sutton, Birmingham, Notts; and to that at Gotham, 
by a benevolent member of the Curzon family, chief proprietor of the parish. Such a 
scheme may not be needed, or may be impracticable in many parishes ; but experience 
_ has proved that it would, in some situations, be highly advantageous, both to the labourers 
and the community. 
Smithfield. —Beef, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 4d.—Mutton, 3s. 8d. to 4s. 8d.—Veal, 3s. 8d. to 5s. 2d. 
—Pork, 4s. to 5s. 6d.—Dairy Pork, 6s. to 6s. 2d.—Raw fat, 2s. 5d, 
Corn Exchange.—Wheat, 60s. to 92s.—Barley, 33s. to 458.Oats, 20s. to 35s, 
_ —Bread, London 4 Ib. fine loaf, 1s.—Hay 50s. to 105s.—Clover ditto, 70s. to 110s.— 
Straw 34s. to 42s. 
Coals in the Pool, 38s. to 42s. per chaldron. - 
Middlesex, November 2\st. 
; MM. New Series.—Vot. VI, No. 36. 4.P 
