ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 19 1 



some cases barley was comparatively high ; and malted-barley seems 

 in places to have been at a full price. As a rule, however, these 

 malt sales are effected in the harvest, and before the full effect of 

 abundance is felt. Oats are equally cheap, even in the neighbour- 

 hood of London. Beans, <fec. are in a similar way plentiful. 



1288. The average of this year is slightly higher. In some 

 localities, however, wheat prices are even lower than in the previous 

 year. Very large sales take place at Bosham, at very low rates. 

 Barley and malt are lower than in the preceding year. Oats, even 

 of the best quality, are very cheap. Rye is found at lower prices 

 than in 1287 ; and beans, &c., though slightly higher than the year 

 before, are cheap. The sales from the manor of Bosham alone 

 amount to upwards of 1692 quarters of all kinds of grain. 



1289. The evidence is derived from the eastern, southern, and 

 midland counties. The price of wheat is, on the whole, consider- 

 ably below the average, though much higher than in the two years 

 immediately preceding. Commencing with the rate of the previous 

 year, it rises to an average by the summer. The highest price is 

 found in the western counties. Barley is low throughout the year. 

 The price of the best oats is higher. Rye is proportionate; and 

 beans, &c. are still very cheap. 



1290. The evidence is of the same character as before. Wheat 

 is dear, especially in the eastern counties, rising as high as gs. in 

 two places, and in another to the great sum of 14.?. lod. for a small 

 quantity. It is evident that there were anticipations of a scanty 

 harvest in the coming year, the highest rate reached in the Cuxham 

 account, sales in which are dated, occurring on the 22nd of May, 

 and the price slightly dropping afterwards. Barley, and especially 

 malt, are also dear in the same localities. Oats are proportionately 

 dear; and rye is considerably enhanced. Beans, information about 

 which is not very abundant, are also affected. Vetches, which are 

 not much grown in the eastern counties, are low; as are some 

 kinds of peas, while white and seed-peas are high. 



1291. The information, though not quite so extensive, is gathered 

 from a wide area. The market fell, to judge from the Cuxham ac- 

 count, steadily to the end of April, and then experienced a slight 

 rise. The highest rates are in the south-east counties. Barley is 

 proportionate. Oats and rye follow the same rate. Beans, &c. are 

 not quoted very abundantly, and the proportion is rather higher 

 than the average. 



1292. The evidence is again very abundant and widespread. 



