353 Agricultural Report. ^Sept. 



difficult to cut it in a saving and advantageous metliod, beside great loss of time ; and the 

 method of bagging, with the use of the Hainault scythe, or the Welsh Cardigan reaping- 

 hook, are strongly recommended. 



On a retrospect to our Reports of last year, that for September bears a striking analogy 

 with the present ; at least in respect to the state of the weather, and the trouble and ex- 

 pense of securing the crops. We trust, however, the analogy will not hold good as to the 

 quantity and quality of the produce ; more especially of that crop wherein lies the grand 

 dependence both of the growers and tlie public. On this head, however, the reader wiU 

 perceive a notable discrepancy in the public accounts. It is altogether impossible but 

 that the long train of atmospheric changes and severities of weather, which have charac- 

 terized the seasons of the present year, must have had considerable deteriorating effects on 

 all the corn crops ; greater assuredly upon poor, neglected, or exposed soils, but to a cer- 

 tain degree, upon the best. In tlie mean time, it is evident, that from whatever cause, an 

 uncommon and universal degree of fertihty has subsisted in the soil during the present 

 year, as is demonstrated by the immense crops of fruit and grass ; and had the seasons 

 been equally propitious, the earth's products in the year 1829 would probably have ex- 

 ceeded, both in abundance and quantity, those of any previous year. 



These prefatory remarks are rendered necessary by the considerably altered tone of our 

 country letters, and indeed by certain important facts. The wheat crop has advanced 

 greatly in the grower's favour, witliin the last fortnight. Previously, there was a general 

 apprehension that it would scarcely exceed that of last year, either in quantity or good- 

 ness. The tables are now completely turned, and a wheat crop is announced, in defiance 

 of all the accidents of the seasons, fully equal to an average on all good lands, and of high 

 weight and superior quality ; the weight of the best turning the scale with from sixty to 

 sixty-seven pounds the bushel ; much of it fit to grind, and commanding a higher price 

 than either English or old foreign wheats. Far be from us the desire to throw cold water 

 upon tills glorious prospect ; we may yet be allowed to say, caveat lector. The truth is, 

 farmers, who are always ready enough, and generally with reason, to ridicule and joke on 

 newspaper accounts of crops and rural affairs, not unfirequently themselves run into equally 

 hasty and erroneous conclusions ; and, in the present case, are perhaps hurrying from one 

 extreme to another. A late rise in wheat, of four or five shillings per quarter, is no very 

 obvious designation of superabundance ; and a hyper-critic in these matters, has assured 

 us that the present ostentatious display of a great crop of wheat, is astutely intended 

 to deter speculators on the other side of the water ! The crops on the continent, in Bel- 

 gium and France particularly, and in Ireland, are said to be heavy, and even above an 

 average. We shall know more on this truly interesting subject, and with greater certainty, 

 while eating our Christmas plum-pudding. Potatoes, excepting perhaps in Scotland, are 

 a great breadth and a very promising crop, but much in want of solar heat to mature 

 them. 



The gi-eater part of the wheat on the earliest and best soils, notwithstailding every diffi- 

 culty, is harvested ; and a considerable quantity of it has already reached the markets, 

 where it has obtained a satisfactory price. The latter and worst part of the crop is yet to 

 come. In this, half-filled ears and much blighted and damaged com must be expected, 

 and in some parts there is considerable apprehension of mildew. The early-layed and 

 knee-bent corn must have received considerable damage, the ascent of the sap being thence 

 prevented. Where Might has much prevailed in the wheat and beans, the old indication 

 has been generally remarked — the sickly and faded hue on the ear or plant, being conspi- 

 cuous on the eastern and northern side. We have been amused in several letters from the 

 best wheat districts, by complaints of " the insect called the red-gum." Such is the 

 phraseology of the northern insectile system ; as though the disease (red-gum) did not, 

 and must not, necessarily precede the insects. Great complaints are made of rapacious 

 and fraudulent gleaning, by which we ourselves have suffered severely in fonuer and yet 

 better times. AV^e repeat — adequate ivages and no gleaning. In North Britain the best 

 crops appear to be wheat, barley, and oats — peas and beans the least productive. In the 

 south, peas and oats are generally abundant crops. Good hay will scarcely reach half a 

 crop ; grass superabundant, also the second crops of clover. Our letters from Kent state 

 that the experiments in melclot, contrary to the former opinion, prove that it will bear a 

 second cutting. The disease in the oats, called ' tulip root,' is said to prevail in some 

 parts of Scotland ; it is doubtless a symptom of blight, perhaps bearing analogy with the 

 ergot or horny substance upon the ear of blighted wheat on the continent. Some years 

 since we had specimens of this in Middlesex, the wheat being the produce of Pomeranian 

 seed. 



The stock on hand of old (English) wheat is said to be less than has been known within 

 the last half century. The crop of fruit (wall excepted) the greatest within that period. 

 Al'alnut and apple-trees are obliged to be propped, to enable them to stand under their 

 burden ! Of hops, the growth is unusually defective, the quahty affording no hope. 

 Wool revived a little, but to fall still lower. Complaints of the decay of trade, echoed 

 from every quarter, except from the Corn Exchange at I^iverpool, where Mr. Huskisson's 

 late speech was — hope telling a flattering tale. May it be vcrL*ied ! 



