1826. ] Monthly Agricultural Report. 339 
scythe, the ripening progress in the corn advancing so rapidly; but mowing all kinds of 
corn is an old and prevailing custom in some parts of the North,,and also upon the Con- 
tinent. The late attempts to re-introduce trials of the Hainault scythe do, not appear 
to haye succeeded: our labourers deem it a heavy.and. inconvenient tool...From 8s. to 
16s. per acre have been given for reaping wheat; and men by the day, haye been paid 
2s. to 3s. 6d. with meat and beer; women ls. 6d. to 3s. per day with beer. 
As to the quantity and quality of the various articles of produce, we can add little to 
our last report. It is most probable, among various accounts, that the wheat crop, in 
some considerable degree, exceeds an ayerage in quantity: but the quality is not of such 
general characteristic excellence as has been witnessed in some former years. The corn, 
however, being universally dry, and consequently heavy, will be profitable to the flour 
manufacturer. The straw, not indeed so bulky as in some seasons, yet in great plenty, 
is of the finest and most pure. Barley, oats, and pulse, take them generally, are perhaps 
barely half a crop; but there are certainly, in various parts of the country, considerable 
breadths of barley and oats of which the growers do not complain, and the quality of 
which is fine. On potatoes we are no longer sanguine; the crop will be far below our 
former expectations. In Ireland, a peculiar misfortune, potatoes are a failing crop. 
Accounts of the hop plantations are universally encouraging. In Scotland they speak in 
still higher terms of the wheat erop than in the South; their Lgnt corn is reported as two- 
thirds, and pulse as one-third of an average. Potatoes have generally failed. 
Our expectations, from the sudden copious showers which fell in July, have been 
completely disappointed; the thirsty earth quickly absorbed them, and there has been 
no efficient succession. Our hopes for the re-sown turnip plants, of an autumnal erop of 
grass have thus vanished; and the ensuing seasons, both autumnal and winter, will un- 
ayoidably rank among the most embarrassing ever experienced by the farmer and grazier. 
The lovers of oil-cake beef and mutton will be amply gratified. Should the winter prove 
frosty and severe, the inconsiderable turnip crop will go but little way indeed; and they 
will act discreetly who adopt in time the old and almost forgotten method of drawing and 
stacking. This is far more deserving the consideration of farmers, than the vain theories 
of preventing blight and fly on turnip plants, by manuring with this.or that, or any par- 
ticular superinduction ; nothing can prevent blight, and drought, and fly, and destruc- 
tion as a necessary sequence. In the mean time, far from interdicting, we desire to be 
the strongest advocates for ample manure, whether animal, lime,.ashes, bone, or any 
which may be found suitable to the soil. The hay cfop has shared a similar fate with the 
turnips, and at this moment barges are employed in transporting hay from London to 
Hull. Winter vetches must fail, as the summer ones have done. The corn-fields being 
cleared, the sown grasses may yet spring and produce something of an autumnal crop, 
should the weather change ; and a fitter season could not present for proving the experi- 
ment originally recommended in the ‘‘ New Farmer’s Calendar,” of making a stack with 
alternate layers of straw and grass, for cattle and sheep food after Christmas. Oat styaw, 
in course, is to be preferred. Rain coming in time, winter-barley and rye, for spring 
food, should be sown to the greatest extent of land that can be spared. Oats, also, will 
starid the winter, and sometimes produce a greater bulk than either of the former. Let 
it be remembered by our country friends, that a long summer drought is probable to be 
followed by a long and severe frost in winter. The farmer surely stands, at the present 
season, in a peculiarly distressing predicament; he has no other productive crop or 
matériel to turn into money but his wheat. Yet the consequences of a drought like the 
present are not so destructive as those resulting from the blight of superfluous moisture 
and cold. 
Cattle have been dreadfully distressed for water in the fen districts of Lincolnshire, 
it being often necessary to drive them from five to seyen miles to obtain it. Much half- 
fat stock, and even in a store state, has in consequence been sent to market. Sale very 
dull, and price depressed of all, milch-cows and pigs excepted, fer which prices are 
improved. Some faint hopes have been ‘entertained for a rising demand of wool. 
Ordinary horses are not easily saleable; but those of high figure and qualification, never 
in plenty, are at present very scarce and dear. At Horncastle-fair, according to report, 
three superior saddle horses were sold to a great London dealer for £550: the same 
purchaser, it seems, took £2,000 to the fair, but could not find horses in which to invest 
it. The farmers in some of the western counties have wisely changed their plan of 
having none but out-door labourers, taking them into the house, as in former days: 
no doubt finding it more advantageous to maintain them in that mode than in the form 
of parish-rates. This mode should be universally adopted during the ensuing winter, 
which will inevitably be a critical one. 
Smithfield.— Beet, 4s. to 5s.— Mutton, 3s. 8d. to 4s. 6d.—Lamb, 4s. to 5s. 2.-~Veal 
4s. 8d. to 5s. 6d.—Pork, 3s. 8d. to 5s. 4d.—Raw Fat, per stone, 2s. 2d. 
Corn Exchange.—Wheat, 46s. to 68s.—Barley, 30s. to 40s.—Oats, 27s. to 40s.— 
Bread, 4b. loaf, 9}d.—Hay, 70s. to 120s.—Clover, ditto 90s. to 135s.—Straw, 36s. 
© : 
Middlesex, August 21st, 1826. 
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