C 470 ] [Oct. 



MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



We have at length had the benefit of some fine harvest days, commencing from the day 

 previous to the commencement of the autumnal quarter; but we scarcely dare trust to the 

 continuance of the blessing. Thitherto, all weather-wisdom had become foolishness — the 

 shepherd had lost his forecast, the silver moon her influence, and the barometer itself was 

 often at fault. Hope told a flattering tale : the farmer's expected blessing lasted but a few 

 days, peradventure a few hours. His corn was cut, either to lie soaking and sprouting in 

 continual wet, or to be carried in a state liable almost to equal damage. Undoubtedly, we 

 ought to be contented with our matrimony of the seasons, and to take them for better or for 

 worse ; but many a heart wiU ache at the reflections of the vast produce which would have 

 been obtained from the fully replenished earth, during the late season, with a propitious 

 summer solstice. It recalls to our memory the strange saying, said indeed many years 

 since, of a humorous and shrewd old Suffolk ploughman, whose opinion it was, that " if the 

 old Gentleman did some good at one time, he was sure to do as much mischief at another." 

 As we lately hinted, there has been a curious contest of misrepresentation, from interested 

 motives, respecting the state of the crops ; one party exaggerating the deficiency, the 

 other, taking their text from their own, the most favoured districts, scarcely allowing of 

 any. Taking a correct view of the whole, we apprehend, indeed we know too well, that 

 the estimate of the former is too near the truth. 



The late few fine days, we trust, have enabled the farmers of the most backward soils, to 

 finish this most unpropitious harvest. Scotland, ordinarily more fortunate, seems to liavc 

 had the greatest share of the malignity of the present season. In the Carse of Gowric, and 

 upon the best lands, wheat will be found far from an average, and a great part of the crop 

 win require the assistance of the kiln. In Mid Lothian, all corn defective, quantity and 

 quality — straw in plenty. In the higher and less fertile parts, wheat is said to be below 

 two-thirds, or even not more than half an average, with very few commendations of the 

 quantity. Barley equally defective. Beans still more so, quantity and quality. Peas 

 soft, and not plump or well tiUed ; Potatoes and Turnips almost lost crops. Oats, 

 as generally, throughout the island, perhaps the best crop of the year. In many 

 parts of the north, complaint is made, a strange one indeed, the season considered, that 

 the fog, or after-grass, is defective, and that hay has been a light crop. All corn crops in 

 Wales, are reported below an average ; in the less fertile parts much so. The soil of Ire- 

 land, inured to moisture, seems to have resisted the superabundance of the season, with 

 more success than that of her elder sister. The Irish crops are considerable, more par- 

 ticularly the wheat, a good proportion of which, on the best andforwardest lands, is reported 

 as having been housed in fair condition. Potatoes are a crop. In the Unitjd States of 

 America, the Wheat crop is great, and saved in fine condition ; and according to general 

 report, more flower it is expected will be there made in the ensuing, than in any previous 

 year. Upon the European continent, in many parts, and where the rains were not so pre- 

 valent, the corn crops are uncommonly plentiful. 



Perhaps in Lancashire and its vicinity, a considerable part of the midland counties, and 

 in Norfolk, the wheat crop is the largest, approaching an average. Also in the best parts 

 of Devonshire, and its neighbourhood, where the trees are broken down with the weight of 

 apples, and casks will scarcely be found to contain the cider. Essex, Kent, and Suffolk, 

 have probably grown more whe;>t this year by a quarter per acre, than in the last, and the 

 quantity, not very considerable, it is to be feared, saved in fair weather, exhibits a beautiful 

 and weighty sample. Such samples, however, take Britain throughout, wQl not rise in 

 great plenty from the present crop. The former's only indemnity, indeed an inadequate 

 one, must subsist in the greater measure afforded by damp and rough grain. In the nor- 

 thern counties, and generally on all poor lands, the wheat crop is greatly defective, as weU 

 in quantity as worth of the sample. The wheat throughout Britain will not probably 

 exceed, if it actually reach, three fourths of an average crop. In Ireland, they boast of a 

 full average of quantity, in which must necessarily be included a considerable sliare of 

 rough and damp corn. The corn laid by the high winds, early, and before it had attained 

 maturity, has received immense damage. Vast breadths, in all parts, were laid as Hat as 

 though they had been rolled, and the ripened corn blown from the ears, is said to equal in 

 point of quantity, the amount of seed. Tliis indeed is an additional enrichment of the 

 stubbles for the benefit of the pigs ; while, from that most injudicious and hazardous prac- 

 tice of double crops, clover and corn, together with the general slovenly neglect of cidture, 

 sheep and cattle food will outrun consumption. In fact, a great number of farmers do 

 not possess the means of purcl)asing live stock to consume their provision, otherwise than 

 on credit, and by mortgaging tlieir next crop for that and other piu^ioses. The vast loss 

 and damage incurred from storms of wind and floods, in exposed situations, lias been 

 noticed in former reports ; and with respect to the latter, furrows and channels cut through 

 the lands, have been resorted to for immediate relief. Flues in barns have been recom- 

 mended to dry the corn which had not sufiicient time in the field ; and in the view of the 

 present harvest and that of 1823, in a considerable degree similar to the present, those 

 liumers who embraced the earUest opportunity, had the good fortune to be right, since of 



