biglam/hmd_newspapers huggingface dataset:
The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-05-12

HAG LE Y.

STOCK SALE.—The sale and show of togs and
Whitsuntide beef, was held on Monday last.. and
included a very large entry of first7class tegs, and
a capital supply of very pr;ine beasts, fed specially
for tha Whitsuntide market. The sale comprised
83 head of cattle, 490 sheep and lambs, 191 pigs
and 30 calves. There was a large company of buyers,
and very good prices were realised for all classes of
stook. The Auctioneers, Messrs. Oates, Perrens,
and Wooldridge, gave the usual prizes to owners of
stock. The first prize for shorn togs was awarded
to Mr. T, Banks, Astley, for 10 capital sheep, the
best pen of which made 89s. pt r head, purchased
by Mr. Jas. Line, Birmingham. The second prize
was taken by Mr. Herbert Harris, Lincornbe, whose
sheep made 85s. per head. For fat beasts, both
first and second prizes were carried off by Mr.
Thos Briggs, Winterfold, for 2 grand bullocks, for
the best of which Mr. Reuben Rogers, Kidder-
minst4r, gave £43 10s. Od, whilst Mr. Jas, Lane
secured the other for £lO 15s Od. High figures
were realised in many other instances, and the
quality of the beef it this sale may be judged from
the fzl,.:t that the 40 best beasts made an avet age of
£27 Is. Od. per head, and the whole of the fat
beasts averaged £25 12s. Od. each. In other
classe of stock, fat Limbs male as high as 50s. 6d.;
calves, £6 13s. Od.; ewes cnd lambs 131 s. per
couple; store pigs from 13s. to 325. per head.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-05-12

FARMING PROSPECTS.

Land and Water says :—The interest taken in the
seasonable weather which has prevailed throughout
the land during the past six weeks, goes far to show
how dependent is the business of the world upon
agricultural prosperity. Each succeeding week, but
adds another hope that the coming harvest may be
not only good but exceptionally bountiful. The
gentle showers and the cold nights we have had lately
are in every respect favourable for agriculturists, as
they are some guarantee that we shall not have any
frosts later on in May. Late frosts in this country do
great damage; they destroy our fruit, and render the
products of the orchards valueless, besides depriving
the labourer of the work for which he has been
anxiously waiting,

The wheat market is slow and drooping, a sure sign
that the appearance of the young growing corn is satis-
factory. Reports from America do not speak highly
of the winter wheat prospects there; much damage
has been done by the heavy rains of last winter, and
the fly has been mischievous in many States. Even
California has suffered from the wet season she has
lately passed through, and much of her corn is winter-
killed.
From the Kent hop plautations better news arrives
than was anticipated, and the young bine is making
i
good progress, and s nearly realy for tying to the
poles. Spring corn is showing strong, and hoeing
between the drills has commenced. Peas that were
sown early have been frost-bitten, and the winter sown
beans as well as spring sown have been much retarded