( 450 ) [Ocr. 
MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
Flarvesr has now become matter of history; and as its details have already been | 
ample, Jittle now remains by way of an appendix. The wheat crop, on rich or moist 
and wellztilled soils, is not only one of the largest usual acreable produce, but plump in 
kernel and fine in quality: on soils of inferior deseription, cold or arid, and poor, though 
the quantity be yet considerable, the grain is small aud flinty, or long, and likely to make 
plenty of-bran. All being dry, will weigh well in proportion, the superior: capitally. 
Insome of the northern counties, there is more than the usual quantity of smut in the 
wheat. We doubt not that such acrop of wheat as this, aided by one equally good of 
potatoes, would feed Britain and Ireland during two years. Potatoes, barley, oats, 
and even peas, it may be hoped, will prove beyond expectation. On the fine barley soils, 
there is nearly, if not fully, an average crop, the quality superior. Of oats’ nearly the 
same, but toa less extent. There are even, but they do not abound, satisfactory crops 
of peas; but the beans, with few exceptions, are of low and bad report, to wit, many 
were planted, none gathered. Straw fodder abounds, or is deficient, on the different 
soils above described. There was a crop of grass on rich graminous soils, and on 
boggy lands a large growth of unusual good quality. Much grass was left for late 
mowing, and on the whole, the weather has been favourable. As to the crop of 
‘Hors, whether with respect to quantity or quality, that of the year 26, it seems, is to 
stand red-lettered in the calendar. t 
This harvest, perhaps the quickest, safest, and least expensive within memory, has, 
in course, afforded the longest interval between that and wheat sowing ; which, from the 
arid state of those lands where the process usually takes place the earliest, will on those 
be considerably later than usual. The interval has been one of great business, since the 
rains have been sufficient and effective ; ploughing, and the lands work most kindly, sowing 
turnips and grasses on the stubbles, also rape, rye, and all the usual crops for winter 
and spring food. Stock farmers, aware of the probable or certain exigencies of the 
ensuing seasons, are ‘exerting themselves with the utmost diligence in this provident 
course. For a spring supply there is little fear, but should the autumn prove unfayour- 
able, the late sown turnips will scarcely repay the expence. Stock feeders should pro- 
vide alarger supply of mangel-wurtzel in all seasons, more certain than any species of 
turnip; but they improvidently shy at the trouble of drawing,, and the comparatively 
inconsiderable expense of thatand stacking. There is necessarily a good deal of selfsown 
corn, in a fine and dry harvest, and we have known such, both oats and barley, kept for a 
crop and succeed. It will now produce a refreshing bite for cattle in the stubbles. 
There will also be a considerable quantity of autumnal grass, but its nature is weak and 
washy, and little hay ean be spared wherewith to qualify it. Should any cattle cabbage, 
an article of culture indeed not so much in use as in former days, have survived the 
drought, it will be invaluable. The leyre of clover and grasses, ploughed once, to be 
broad-cast with wheat, will be choaked with weeds and rubbish. Such lands should 
ever be drilled at éwelve inch intervals. , 
The exceeding distress in various districts for want of water during the’ summer, 
suffered by cattle and sheep feeders, and their great losses by consequent premature sales, 
need not be repeated, unless to some useful purpose. There are certainly some such 
Jocalities where wells might be sunk ; and we recollect, many years since, an experiment 
of that kind which proved eminently successful. Water even for culinary purposes was 
deficient, and the water mills became useless. Wind and water are both uncertain, but 
we suppose steam would be too expensive for corn mills, unless on a very large scale. 
Fat meat must bear a high price during a considerable season, from its scarcity, and the 
price it has and will cost the feeder; but stores, hitherto so depressed, will mend in price 
as keep increases. Pork and bacon must be dear. Game is in vast plenty, and how is 
the public need to be supplied but through the medium of poachers and their town con- 
nections, whilst that odious rag of feudality, the game laws, is suffered to exist by the 
disgraceful and unpatriotic acquiescence of the English people, a single puff of whose 
breath would blow it into air? The horse trade has suffered no variation, good ones for 
saddle and quick draught obtain a high price. The rage for buying Belgic locusts, as 
Marshall formerly styled the heavy cart horses of that country, has completely subsided, 
and the commodity depreciated nearly cent. per cent., after the traffic had made the 
fortune of many an active dealer. It is to be regretted that the prejudice” against 
draught oxen is so general in this country ; and hoped’ that Mr. Huskisson, who farms 
in a county where ox-labour is practised, either does or will set the patriotic example, 
The price of long wool is rather moving. We have supposed, right or wrong, that 
hitherto the supply of poultry in the metropolis has not, this year, been so large, nor th 
quantity so good as in former years. The public papers have lately given’ the followin; 
sickening piece of information. Geese, it is well known, are unmercifully plucked aliy: 4 
several times a year. After the last plucking, near Langport, Devon, the geese we: 
turned out naked upon the common, though the weather was chilly and the wind int 
ee 
