584 AgricuUiiral Report. [|Nov. 



proved, we have very little coinplaint of vegetable diseases ; of grown or sprouted, 

 shrivelled, and green or unripe corn, indeed we have too much, but we hear little of mil- 

 dew, brand or smut, a good fortune which we owe to a relief from the easterly winds, by 

 the early and unfailing changes to the south and west; whereas in the seasons of 179!), 

 the almost invariable prevalence of easterly winds, occasioned a universal accession of those 

 diseases. We have had an improved state of weather for digging and clearing the po- 

 tatoe grounds, which will be finished in the course of the present month. The crop of 

 fair quantity on good soils, but the quality cannot be expected to equal that of dryer and 

 warmer seasons. Of hops there cannot be half a crop, and few samples can be expected 

 to excel in colour and condition ; yet we do not find that eagerness in purchasers, or 

 extraordinary rise in the markets, which used to occur on a short crop in former days. Of 

 late days production has well attended upon increasing population. The immense abun- 

 dance of all kinds of fruit, demonstrates an active principle of fertility in tlie soil, which, 

 had it been conjoined with a kindly atmospheric influence, would have constituted the 

 present an annus mirabilis, a wonderful year of production. Our brethren, the Scots, 

 are so overburdened with apples and pears, that they are really pozed to find out a use to 

 which they can apply the superabundance. Strange that so discerning a people, and so 

 proverbially alive to their interests, should yet have to learn the art of making cider and 

 perry. Dairy farming is said to be in a peculiarly distressed state, yet at the great fairs, 

 cheese of good quality appears to have been saleable at a fair price. M'e expressed our 

 surprise in the last Report, at the reduced quantity of fog, or latter grass, in various parts 

 of the North ; we have since been informed that in many parts tlie lands are quite bare 

 of grass. Thus, from the failure of tlie turnip and mangel crops, and the reduced quality 

 of every kind of fodder, our fonner flattering descriptions of superabundance for Spring 

 provision, unfortunately cannot be realized. At foot of this chapter of lamentations, we 

 will put a very serious and important national question to the great body of our landlords, 

 farmers and cultivators. The universally foul and weedy state of our lands is acknowledged. 

 What addition to our nntional stock of corn and pulse might have resulted, had the 

 lands been tilled in a creditable and husband-like manner, and applied to the production 



of useful and xmluable, instead of useless, eahatisting and mischievous vegetations f 



taking into account the possible full employment of our present distressed and starving 

 suqilus of labourers ? If it be retorted that money could not be found for the repayment 

 of their productive labour, whence is it to be derived for their support in unproductive 

 idleness ? And supported they must be, or driven to exchange their lawful and industri- 

 ous occupation for that of lawless, profligate and desperate banditti. Surely the horrible 

 instances of arson which have occurred of late, in various parts, must operate as a fearful 

 warning. 



AVheat sowing, the chief business on hand at present, is so backward, that on heavy 

 soils and in the poorer districts, much of it must be deferred until after Christmas. In 

 truth the late protracted harvest so entirely and exclusively engaged the farmer's attention, 

 that we have heard from various quarters, not a plough has been put into the earth during 

 the last three months ! The poached and foul state of these lands must have an unfor- 

 tunate effect on the future crops. The seasons have proved so unfavourable to the indus- 

 trious community of bees, that it is apprehended they have been unable to obtain a 

 sufficient stock of winter provision, whence their staple commodity may become scarce and 

 dear, and an increased import be found necessary. The wool trade continues in the same, 

 or rather an increasing state of depression, without the most distant prospect of any 

 available remedy, a truth meriting the serious and impartial deliberation of flock-masters, 

 who seem in expectation of relief from the legislature, which it is utterly out of its power 

 to afford. The graziers and feeders of cattle and sheep have hitherto complained tliat 

 they scarcely obtained more money for their fat, than they had paid for their store stock. 

 The tables are now completely tittned, for almost all markets have been of late so over, 

 stocked, that the prices have declined fifteen, twenty, even thirty per cent, and even at 

 those rates, vast numbers, both of lean and fat stock have remained unsaleable and unsold 

 at the great fairs. The common cause assigned for this is not altogether sr.tisfactory, since 

 no deficiency of flesh meat has been experienced in the shambles, and certainly there is no 

 deficiency in our breeding and feeding stock. Production is the order of the day in 

 all articles of the first necessity, and in all those which minister to luxury or convenience — 

 yet how we are ruined ! 



The rot is said to have made considerable ravages among the sheep upon unsound lands, 

 and ewe lambs are thence in request ; but no want of sheep stock has yet been experienced, 

 and mutton has fallen in price, according to regular autumnal usage. In the great fair of 

 BaUinasloe, in Ireland, the same depression of ])rice took place as in our fairs, witli regard to 

 all kinds of stock ; and the situation of the breeder and grazier, in both countries, is said to 

 be more unfortunate than that of the corn farmer, yet we hear, from various quarters, that 

 farms are taken on lease with the utmost eagerness, even in Suftblk, where of late we were 

 appalled by the inteUigence of such a number of tenants' effects taken in execution. After 

 the late deluge, as we may well style it, a long, dry and hard frost during the ensuing 

 winter, need not be held an improbable occurrence ; and it ought to be one of the first. 



