122 



To Preserve Grapes.^Poiatoes. 



Vol. XI. 



day this year, they were smaller than for 

 many years past. Nor do we overlook the 

 enormous quantity of foreign wheat and 

 flour which has been introduced during the 

 last two months. 



The next consideration is the character 

 of the crop of the present year, respecting 

 which, the accounts are more conflicting 

 now that a portion of it is thrashed out, than 

 they were at the time of reaping. In most 

 of the southern counties there can, however, 

 be little doubt that, taking into account 

 quality and quantity, the yield of wheat is 

 as nearly as possible an average one — un- 

 derstanding by that vague term, that the 

 crop is as good as can be looked for under 

 an average of favourable circumstances; and 

 certainly it is infinitely better in quality, 

 and fully equal in quantity, to the crop of 

 1845. In the north, however, and especi- 

 ally in Scotland, the difference between the 

 wheat crops of 1845 and 1846, is very much 

 less in favour of the latter year, if, indeed, 

 it be so at all. The wheat crop in the north 

 in 1845, was rather better than in the south; 

 whereas, in the present year, the crop in 

 Scotland has sustained injury by wet, and 

 in some places the crop is not only light, 

 but has been harvested in a very indifferent 

 condition. Still, taking the whole of the 

 United Kingdom, the wheat crop of 1846 — 

 taking quality and quantity — we compute to 

 be considerably larger and better than that 

 of 1845. But against this increased quan 

 tity, we have to consider that the crop of 

 1845 was very late, and from the large 

 quantity of old wheat in stock, and the sofl 

 quality of the new wheat, was not brought 

 into consumption till late in the autumn. 

 In the present year the harvest was a month 

 earlier, the quality was dry and good, and 

 the barrenness of stocks caused it to be 

 brought immediately into consumption. The 

 lowest estimate that can be made on this 

 account, is, that the crop of 1846 has been 

 begun for general use at least two months 

 earlier than that of 1845 was; which fact, 

 we think, will fully balance any superiority 

 of the yield of this, compared with that of 

 last year. 



Then, as to the potatoe crop, whether it 

 be large or small, is a matter of comparative 

 indifference; for, speaking generally, and 

 in reference to the supplies of the winter 

 and spring, the whole crop is destroyed. 



America is the only country to which 

 Europe can look for a supply of grain this 

 year, if we except some parts of Poland ; 

 and when we consider that France and 

 other continental States will be equal com- 

 petitors with ourselves for the flour and 

 wheat of the United States, we cannot con- 



ceive that it will be wise, even if it be pos- 

 sible, for the Government to maintain through 

 the winter the duty which even the present 

 law imposes. We look forward to a time 

 when state necessity will compel us to aban- 

 don all duty upon the importation of food, 

 which, however small it may now be, will 

 be quite sufficient to give a preference to 

 the markets of other countries over our 

 own. Whatever might have been consi- 

 dered the emergency of last year for open- 

 ing the ports, we are clearly of opinion that 

 it will be found, sooner or later, to be much 

 greater during the coming winter. 



To Preserve Grapes. — Take a well- 

 bound cask, from which the head is to be 

 removed, and place at the bottom a good 

 layer of fine saw-dust or bran. On this 

 place a layer of grapes, then bran and grapes 

 alternately, until the cask is full, taking 

 care that there is sufficient bran between 

 each layer of grapes to prevent their touch- 

 ing each other. Put on the head, which is 

 to be cemented, and the grapes will keep 

 well for a year. When used, in order to 

 restore their freshness, cut the stalk of each 

 bunch, and place it in wine, as flowers are 

 placed in water. — American Agricultu- 

 rist. 



Potatoes. — W^e must again draw the at- 

 tention of our correspondents to the import- 

 ance of not coming to hasty conclusions re- 

 specting this important matter. It is the 

 worst kind of trifling to pretend that this, 

 that, or the other little experiment has se- 

 cured a crop, when we are only just at the 

 beginning of the end. We must therefore 

 decline to give insertion to a large number 

 of representations which can have no value, 

 and which their writers would regret to see 

 on record hereafter. To imagine that plant- 

 ing shallow, or planting deep, earthing up or 

 letting it alone, and fifty more such crotch- 

 ets, can have any effect, is worse than ab- 

 surd ; it is mischievous, for it tends to mis- 

 lead unreasoning minds. — Gardeners' Chro- 

 nicle. 



Arrival of Poultry from America. — 

 On Sunday, the America, 500 tons, arrived 

 in St. Katharine Docks, Liverpool, from 

 Boston, with twenty-five cases of turkies, 

 geese, and capons ; also six boxes red rein- 

 deer of superior quality. They were packed 

 in ice to preserve them. We believe this 

 to be the first importation of the kind. — WiU 

 viefs Liverpool Times, April 10. 



