1808.] Monthly Agricultural Report, isp 
January 28. Hepaticas (anemone hepatica), primroses, the’ Polyanthus, and crocuses are in: 
flower. | 
The woodlark, (alauda arborea) the field lark, the hedge sparrow, the red-breast, and the 
blackbird were all heara to sing on this day ; and on the day following I heard also the wren 
and the thrush. . ‘ 
January 30. A small flock of bramblings or mountain finches (Fringilla Montifringilla of 
Linnzus) were seen. These beautiful birds are by no means common in any part of Great Bri- 
tain, and hitherto very little has been written respecting their habits of lite and economy. 
Pennont, in his British Zoology, has merely described them, and even this very imperfectly. He 
has entirely omitted to mention that the bill is yellow, and tipped with brown, and that the 
feathers onthe rump and hinder part of the back are white at the extremity, which are very 
essential characteristics of these birds. ‘The note or voice of the brambling bas been compared 
by Belon to that of the owl, and by Olina to that of the cat: it is, however, a species of bird 
which I have so seldom seen that lam entirely unacquainted whether either of these writersare, 
in this respect, corrects 
January 31. The spurry, (Spergula arvensis) and the dandelion are in flower. 
Llampshire. 
a en as 2 ae ¥ es Sara ae Ee Ne Se Se toe | 
MONTHLY AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
PPHE state of the season since our last has still continued untavourable to the young wheats, 
especially such as were put into the ground ata late period, and they would without doubt 
have been very materially injured, particularly those which were in a forward and very lux- 
uriant state of growth, had it not been prevented by the snow with which they have been 
covered and protected during a great part of the month. Considerable mischief must how- 
ever be sustained in many situations where the land is of a tvose light nature, from the sud- 
den alternations from frosts to thaws, in the later sown crops, in consgquence of the roots 
being thrown out of the soil. This we know to have happened in particular instances in seme 
of the southern districts of the kingdom, as well as those of the north. The sharp dry winds. 
and frosts in the latter part of the month have given a favourable check to the too luxuriant 
vegetation of some crops of this kind. 
The luxuriant forward tare crops have been much protected and preserved by the falls of 
snow in the same manner as the wheats, though in exposed situations they have suffered con- 
siderable injury. ae 
The turnips, both the common and Swedish sorts, have stood the severity of the last and 
present month better than might have been expected, though the excess of wet, in some 
‘cases, from the thaws, has contributed to rot the common kinds. 
The crops of cabbages and coleseed, which are now in many places pretty extensively cul- 
tivated for winter and spring feed, have as usual stood the severity of the weather, with very 
little if any disadvantage, and will probably supply a large proportion of green food at those 
periods when they must be much wanted by the farmer. 
The operations of the plough have been unusualiy impeded during the greater part of the 
month, by the large falls of snow as well as the intense irost which has set in. From these 
causes but little exient of land has yet had the bean crops putin; ner has much ground from 
the same circumstances, been put in a state of preparation for other sorts of spring crops. 
The same causes have likewise operated equally unfavourably for most other sorts of qut 
door farm business, which will render it necessary for much being performed in the ensuing 
month. The operations of the barn have however in consequence proceeded with much ce- 
lerity and dispatch, large quantities of grain having been threshed out both by the flail and 
machine. ‘The produce has been found in many cases to be greater and better than was ex- 
pected; though in general it will probably be somewhat lower than the crop of the preced- 
ing year. 
The store stock of cattle has this month required much care and attention, as well as a full 
supply of food, which is by nu means plentiful. And the unusual severity of the weather, has 
greatly lessened the produce of the dairy ; this cause has also considerably checked the pro- 
gress of the fattening stock of almost all kinds. 
Store cattle have from these circumstances been more plentiful inthe markets than is com- 
monly the case, and of course more reasonable, though store pigs have been sold rather high. © 
In the sheep stock vast losses have been sustained in many parts of the country, especially 
jn the more northern districts, from the drifting of the snow, notwithstanding the utmost care, 
and vigilance of the shepherds. And with the lambing ewes in the more southern parts of 
the kingdom the farmers have suffered greatly from the same circumstance both in regard to 
them and their lambs. ‘his wiil mest probably have the,ettect of advancing the price of this 
sort of stock considerably in the ensuing month. 
The variations in the prices of grain haye not been considerable since our last. Except on 
shite peas, there has been little or me advance. Atthe Corn Exchange, on the 22d, the cur- 
s were as below, 
Wheat 
