212 ON THE PRICE OF GRAIN. 



is in proportion to wheat, though there is but little information. 

 Beans, &c. are cheaper than the average ratio. 



1364. The evidence is scanty but wide. Prices of wheat are still 

 high in certain localities, but on the whole declining. It would seem 

 that the rate was higher in the autumn and lower in the spring, 

 seed prices being high. The highest quotations are from Sussex 

 and Warwick, but the rate is lower in Norfolk, Kent, and Oxford. 

 Considerable sales of barley at moderate rates take place at Elham 

 (Kent), and Aylesham (Norf.), and, on the whole, barley is much 

 cheaper than wheat. Oats are much cheaper ; the only high prices 

 being found in Sussex and Durham. Rye is low, but follows wheat. 

 Beans are dear. Peas are moderate. Vetches are only quoted from 

 one locality, where they are cheap. 



T 365- The evidence is rather more plentiful. Wheat prices are 

 much lower, but seed-wheat is dear. The lowest rate is found in 

 Oxford, the highest in Essex and Kent. It appears to have been 

 cheap in the midland counties ; some of the sales are considerable. 

 Barley is, on the whole, at the last year's average. The most con- 

 siderable sales take place in Oxford, Wilts, and at a place called 

 Somerton, which I cannot identify, owing to the frequency of the 

 name. Oats are cheaper; the most considerable sales occurring in 

 Essex. Rye is very low in Oxford. Beans, &c. are sold at lower 

 rates. 



1366. The evidence is not abundant but widespread. Wheat 

 is dearer than in the preceding year, being, it appears, affected by 

 the prospects of the coming harvest. The highest price is derived 

 from Northumberland, the lowest from Oxford and Bucks. The 

 latter are probably winter prices. With these exceptions the rate is 

 pretty uniform. Barley participates in the rise. Oats too are dearer. 

 Rye follows wheat. Beans, &c. are not dear. 



1367. The evidence scanty. Wheat is much dearer, especially 

 in Sussex, Durham, and Kent. The highest price is found at 

 Finchale, where it reaches 1 1 s. In Hunts, however, it is as low as 

 5j. \d. The rise appears to take place towards summer. Barley 

 is not proportionately dear ; the maximum price in Kent and the 

 Isle of Sheppey being 5.9. \d. Oats are dear. Rye is not so dear 

 as the proportion. Beans, &c. are low. 



1368. The evidence of the same character as before. Wheat 

 prices are more uniform, and the rates much lower. The highest 

 price in several localities is 8j., the lowest 5-y. The counties of 

 Oxford, Bucks, Essex, and Sussex give the lowest rates. Barley is 



