1831. j Agricultural Report. 697 



of the rot is apprehended; thence none are saleable without warranty. The 

 demand for good horses, hacks, hunters, and coach horses, is said to be increasing In 

 the north, and all breeding districts, with even an increasing demand of price 

 on the part of the sellers. Good stout cast colts find a ready sale— five and six 

 year olds, from £40. to £50. each. In Scotland the farmers go to the price of £35. 

 to £40. each, for their draught horses. Quoting high prices of live stock, we made 

 an exception which tells against Scotland. Certain of their fairs have been so 

 overstocked with store cattle, that it was found impossible to^btain purchasers for 

 them, and the few that were sold, it seems, did not then return cost price in the 

 Western Isles. On hops, the markets afford nothing new. By the stillness ^of 

 speculation, it would seem that the crop is likely to prove full as heavy as was 

 expected. The expected advance in wool has not arrived ; import has pretty well 

 settled that question. It is no longer matter of doubt, whether or not this 

 country can supply its own manufactures. The make in the cheese dairies during 

 the last season was most extensive, and the demand, hitherto, has been fully equal s 

 prices in proportion. Our Norman orchards, as usual, have made up for the 

 deficiency in our home growth of apples. The supply of new bacon has been early, 

 and quick of sale. 



As to the miscellaneous part of our report, we regret to say that it cannot be of 

 a generally pleasing and satisfactory cast. The land proprietors, better late than 

 never, are exerting themselves with a degree of patriotic industry ; but much 

 remains to be done sufficient to avert obviously impending calamities. The great 

 increase of agricultural societies, and the meed of encouragement and countenance 

 universally neld forth to the agricultural labourers, cannot fail, in a certain 

 measure, of being attended with beneficial effects. One most judicious remedy we 

 hail in the new Game Bill, which, whatever may be its defects, is no doubt the 

 best for which our patriotic ministry could procure a passage through both houses. 

 It will put a period to one grand source of demoralization — poaching. Of the merits 

 of the new act for employment of the poor, it would be premature to speak. Allot- 

 ments of land are no doubt granted with the best intentions, but they are liable 

 to various objections, and are said not to be popular in the country. The infamous 

 truck system has been, with true policy, interdicted by the law. 



As to the allotments of land, the objections of the labourers are that, should the 

 Quantity of land be sufficiently large to prove of any essential use, it would be 

 Mir beyond their ability to work them ; if small, the resource from them would 

 be poor and ineffective ; and beyond all, they could have little relish or muscular 

 power for additional labour, after having laboured throughout the day for their 

 master. That most afflictive and nationally disgraceful topic, Incendiarism, 

 remains ; but we cannot, ought not, continue silent on a calamity, with wliich all 

 our letters and country reports are so anxiously filled. The manner in which 

 these atrocities was at first received, both without doors and within, was most 

 extraordinary, equally at variartce with good morals as with true policy. Truly, 

 it must have been the work of foreigiiers, for English labourers could not pos- 

 sibly have been guilty of such diabolical acts ! Had our orators actually been, 

 or chosen to have been, conversant in the history and character of our peasantry, 

 they would surely have hesitated before they ventured on such absurd declarations. 

 About thirty years since, the Gazette was tolerably well replenished with incen- 

 diarism — a century since, to a still greater degree ; and such has ever been the 

 practice of our oppressed and starved peasantry, during every period of scarcity. 

 Redress is, no doubt, justly due to these unfortunates; but it is no part of either 

 justice, morality, or policy, not merely to palliate, but to encourage their vicious, 

 dastardly, and vindictive inclinations. The attempt to conciliate midnight incen- 

 diaries, robbers, and murderers, who have never been appalled or softened by the 

 agonies of the numerous animals they have burned alive, is, indeed, a happy trait 

 of philosophic morality and forbearance. Just and liberal usage ought to succeed, 

 with sound, moral instruction, which might, in due time, eradicate that lurking 

 villany which has so long disgraced our country. 



Smith/ield—Beef, 3s. Od. to 4s. 2d Mutton, 43. Od. to 5s. Od.— Veal, 43. Od. to 



58. Od.— Pork, 4s. Od. to 5s. 6d Dairy, ditto 63. 4d —Rough fat, 2s. lOd. 



Com Exchanffe.— Wheat, 48s. to 80s.— Barley, 258. to 4.')s — Oats, 20s. to 3Is. 6d. 



—London loaf, 41b. lOJd Hay, 45s. to 843.— Clover ditto, 806. to I2O3.— Straw, 



288. to 3Bs. 



Conl Exchange Coals, in the Pool, 27s. Od. to 378. 6d. per chaldron, addition 



of about lO.s. per chaldron for cartage. 

 Miildlesex, November '2olh. 



M. M. New Series.— VuL. XII, No. 72. 3 H 



