The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-31 00:00:00

THIS YEAR'S HARVEST,

The following communication, sent to The Times for pub-
lication, will interest many of our readers :

Sir,—On the longest day of the year I took a sur-
vey of the breadths of corn in Lincolnshire, and, pass-
ing over many hundred of acres on the previous and
next subsequent day, demonstrated that wheat was
then generally in flower—as ranch so as in the fields I
had previously watched in Surrey, Kent, and Essex.
The date of wheat blooming is always an important
point, and this season especially so, as the period all
over the country was mainly calm and favourable
throughout the critical ten days during which
the bulk of grain grown in the United King-
dom was forming. Previous and subsequent to
the wheat-blooming the weather had and has
been much unsettled, but the earing occurred
at an average date, and, like the flowering, from
the South-Eastern counties, through mid-England, as
far North as Boston, within the same week. This
good feature is the more remarkable as at the end of
April three inclement, cold, and dry Spring months
bad left vegetation fully three weeks later than usual.
A genial, warm, and showery May, almost free from
frost, stimulated the growth of corn, grass, and roots,
and agricultural prospects in the aggregate were favour-
able at home and abroad. June improved some of those
prospects and imperilled others, the month bringing
gusty, stormy weather, especially from the Bth to the
19th. The abundance of moisture was followed by the
appearance of mildew on the lower flags of the wheat,
nearly every field where the crop was thick showing
traces, but, as at this season the plant is thin and the
straw short on most farms,the circulation of air from ear to
root is likely to prevent disease spreading, and I have not
yet found the stem of the plant attacked. Farmers do
not like to see the straw growing after the wheat has
bloomed, preferring rather such warmth and dryness
as matures the grain; however, in the fine 30-acre
Kentish field now under my eyes as I write the kernels
have gone on maturing until they are fully formed and
plump, notwithstanding the last fortnight's increase of
straw. Many of the ears are four-set, and undoubtedly
a fair yield is promised. In many districts the promise
is equally good upon lands of medium character
and where the seed was planted early in Autumn.
The winter and Spring sown fields and poor skinny
lands bear generally a poor crop, and this season,
corresponding with its metonic-forerunner 1856
in its weather characteristics, seems likely to
give only, like that year, an average wheat
yield, with quantity irregular and quality and con-
dition inferior. At the same time, if the May pros-
pects of a fine wheat harvest do not now appear likely
to be realised, the crop is far enough matured to be out
of danger from most of the attacks to which it is ex-
posed in earlier stages, so that nothing but calamitously
abnormal weather can make this harvest a bad, while
sunshine may yet make it a fair one.

That the barley crop would be large and good, that
beans and peas were the most promising they had been
for years, the general opinion of correspondents in
various districts and personal observation gave full as-
surance; but recent weather has considerably modified
these anticipations. A month ago a correspondent ob-
served that he found the task of seeking a good oat fieldas
difficult as to see a bad one of wheat; but at present
there are not many good oat crops, thanks to the rains.
The general oat yield, however, is likely to be very
light, and as the grass harvest lAB been poor and often
badly got together, the farmer would have been with-
out compensation but for having the promise of one of
the largest root crops, including potatoes, ever grown.
Those who cultivate hops have also the prospect of an
abundant yield.
Thus the produce of land in 1875 still promises to be,
in the aggregate, a large and fairly good ohe to remune-
rate the farmer. Of course, a decided estimate cannot
be accurately formed until cutting has commenced;
but already harvest prospects have a great influence
on the markets of the world, and at the present
date London, Paris, New York, and Odessa are on
the qui vive, with strained attention given to proba-
bilities, while speculation stands ready to act quickly,
according as each week's clouds or sunshine prompts or
withholds demand. For the last three months the value
of wheat has hovered about 425. per quarter—a
level that has only been lower in 1849 50-51-52, 1864,
and 1865—yet high enough to attract large supplies
from farmers, and from abroad heavy imports, while
there is an increasing bulk on passage of about 4
million quarters. Yet, so strong is the influence of
harvest prospects that, notwithstanding sufficient
stocks and liberal expected supplies, the weather has
roads sellers ask an advance of Bs. per quarter,
50s. being now demanded where 425. was accepted a
month ago. But the Corn Exchanges do not remain
settled three days together, so uncertain is the future
felt to be. As apart from the actual yield in Eng-
land, the situation is modified by the unexhausted
balances remaining of last year's crop remaining in
France, Russia, and America—probably enough in
themselves to keep prices moderate for the coming
season; while a very early harvest in California has
given a yield, in hand, supposed to be equal to the
large exports of the past year. There are also pros-
pects of the American crop generally being satisfactory,
so that already merchants are calculating on a large
Autumn import trade to balance exports. In Europe
—Hungary, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the
North and centre of France appear to reckon on a fair
harvest.

Nor do there seem to exist any permanent reasons
for corn to be dear, while there are many apparent to
keep it cheap. High rates do not now usually succeed
an indifferent harvest in this kingdom. Europe and
America must also suffer from a deficiency before Eng-
land suffers. Within a week from this date the sickle
is likely to be among the corn in districts of the
southern and home counties, so that grain and hay
will be harvesting together, and with a little sunshine
a reaction on the corn markets is quite possible.
Either way, I believe this season it will be an error to
hope much or expect littla from the British harvest;
and, as to prices, there are no chances of their becoming
immoderate. The purchase power of money has de-
creased in most things ;40s. now buys much less labour,
meat, barley, or straw, than 20 years ago, when wheat
at 403. pee quarter was reckoned very low in value.
But we still can buy wheat and flour at the old rates
good seasons, and although breadstuffs might rise 20
per cent and yet be relatively cheap, a range of 50s.
per quarter has, by the test of recent years, been
always found sufficient to bring 'as, as an average price,
full supplies from abroad, while the English farmer
still finds it encouraging and remunerative. Value
above or below this leveli s usually the result of specu-
lation, which each year becomes more difficult as the
powers of production and consumption throughout the
world are better understood, and in the present situa-
tion of prospects, supply and demand, this kingdom
and Europe may well expect the year's harvest will
yield moderate plenty to man and beast.—l am, Sir,
your faithful servant, H. KA EsTS-JACKSON.
36, Seething-lane, E. C., July 23.

A plague of monkeys is afflicting Lucknow. They
usually inhabit Itishbagh, at the Itirther end of the town,
but have recently taken to making raids on the crowded parts
of the city, audit the unlucky persons on whom the monkeys
Ix their attention do not receive their advances kindly the
Intruders do not scruple to use their teeth. Torn clothes,
broken furniture, and wounds inflicted by these animals are
of everyday occurrence, and the inhabitants of Lucknow are
crying out for some measures to be taken sigahlst these MIP
ehterm animisle.—Grophic. -

BRITISH COMMERCE IN NORTH-WEST
AFRICA.
A public meeting was held at the Mansion House in
London, on. Monday, to hear a paper nn this subject
by Mr— D. Mackenzie. The Lord Mayor presided,
and the'room was well filled.

The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that
a few, weeks back he received a deputation of several
influential persons connected with the North-West
African trade, and they urged upon him, now that the
traffic in slaves had abated, the importance of reaching
that part of the country with more facility than at
present. They proposed to have a preliminary survey
of that northern part of Africa opposite the Canary
Islands, and then right across the Desert of Sahara,
until they reached Timbuctoo—a distance of about
800 miles. -It would not be a matter of insuperable
difficulty to make that survey, and the result would
tend very much to increase the commerce of the
European countries, and of America. The Earl of
Caruarvon was willing to receive a deputation on the
subject, and it was now simply a matter of expense.
After expressing his opinion that the object aimed at
could be accomplished, the Chairman called upon Mr.
Mackenzie to read his paper.
The lecturer stated that his proposal was 'to open
North-Central Africa to commerce and civilisation.
The great continent of Africa, he said, bad an area of
nearly one-fourth of the entire land of the globe, and
had presented greater obstacles to human enterprise
than any other portion of the earth's surface. It had
a climate and fertility equal to any part of the world,
and it was capable of yielding tropical and sub-
tropical productions to almost any extent. Transport
of goods was furnished by caravans, which performed
dangerous and tedious journeys from Morocco, Algiers,
Tunis, Tripoli, and other parts of the kingdoms of
Soudan. Through the difficulties that had to be en-
countered in thus crossing the Desert, about three
millions worth of British manufactured goods
found their way from the north to Soudan. The
States of Soudan contained a population of twenty
millions, and the inhabitants were the most in-
dustrious and intelligent of the whole African
race. The plan, added the lecturer, which he had
to submit, was to open a direct commercial high-
way from the mouth of the river Belta to the
neighbourhood of Cape Jubi and Cape Bovador on
the Notth-West Coast of Africa, opposite the Canary
Islands, to the northern bend of the Niger at Tim-
buctoo. This would form the shortest route to the
interior, and it was within easy distance of Europe and
America, the mouth of the Belta being distant only
fifteen hundred miles from England. The engineering
difficulties were small, since the physical formation of
that part of the Desert of Sahara which had to be
crossed favoured the project. A great tract of it, with
an area of 126 square miles, known as El Jnff, was a
vast depression considerably below the level of the
Atlantic. If once the mouth of the Belta was cleared
of sand the waters of the Atlantic would flow in, and
direct commercial intercourse with North Central
Africa would be established within easy distance of
our ports. The lecturer was aided by a large map and
the conclusion of his remarks was followed by some
applause.
Major-General Sir A. Cotton said that the opening
out of the Continent of Africa was now in the most re-
markable manner occupying the attention of many. There
were at that moment no fewer than ten expeditions
either actually in operation or prepared for the exam-
ination of that country. With reference to the pro-
posed new route, he thought that Timbuctoo was un-
doubtedly the great centre—the natural centre—of all
North-Western Africa. It was at present the centre
of traffic from the civilised country, and, as had fre-
quently occurred before, men were determined to try
the wrong way. There had been three routes by which
Timbuctoo had ever been reached. The explorers
had encountered a dangerous climate, mountains,
deserts and other difficulties from which the new
route was more free, and it was by fay the
shortest distance. If the sea could be let in,
and the depression filled up, it brought Tim-
buctoo within a few days' sail of England. The
first point which they wanted to ascertain was the
nature of the coast and the local circumstances imme-
diately connected with that part; and what Mr.
Mackenzie had thought of was that he should go there
tr) ascertain the hcts, and on his return a plan would
be laid before the public for a more complete explora-
tion of the whole route from the coast to Timbuctoo.
There was abundant information to satisfy him, and
he thought anybody who would look into the matter,
would see that that was the true land communication,
and whether they went by land or by water was a
secondary matter.
A vote of thanks having been passed to Mr.
Mackenzie for his paper, Sir A. Cotton added that the
only thing which remained was to get a few names of
gentlemen willing to take part in the deputation to
the Earl of Carnarvon.

The Lord Mayor sai(l he would be pleased to re-
ceive any subscriptions whish might be sent by the
public towards the expenses of the enterprise.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the pro-
ceedings to a close.

In connection with the foregoing, the Globe re-
marks :

The youngest and least advanced engineering scheme of
the day is the proposal to let in the waters of the Atlantic to
the interior of Africa, and convert a large part of the
northern region of that continent into a navigable- sea. No
one who has attended to the arguments pro and can on this
subject, or who interested himself in the discussion upon it
at the meeting at the Mansion House, under the presidency
of the Lord Ma j or, can be prepared to deny that the accom-
plishment of the scheme is feasible, possible and even plausible.
Only one really insurmountable difficulty could exist to it, and
that would Ise the want of a depression below the sea level of
the bed of the region proposed to be flooded. this point seems
now to be set at rest in a satisfactory ntanner. The general
level of the great desert of Sahara is below that of the ocean,
and the desert itself is, in fact, but the bottom of a dried up
sea. The whole difficulty, therefore, resolves itself into one
of piercing through certain onter ridges in order to let in the
sea water, and, according to present information, this can
be done by a canal some five or six miles in length—by no
means a formidable undertaking either in respect of time,
money, or engineering skill. Bat the practical mind will ask
in this commercial age, Cut Bono 7 The answer is corn.
pletely satisfactory. Such an inland sea, accessible from the
Atlantic would open the eternally-sealed book of Africa to
external knowledge, would develop the resources of the in-
terior to the profit of the world at large, would carry trade and
civilisation to the gates of Timbuctoo, would banish the waste
and want, the wars and slavery, and the innumerable kin-
dred curses which have from the remotest records of history
afflicted the children of Ham. Africa, one of the largest,
yet one of the least known of the continents, would be
brought into the community of nations, greatly to the
advantage of the world at large, and to her own exceeding
benefit. or should one other, though indirect, effect of
the proposed sea be forgotten. It is probable that such an
enermous body of water, and the great evaporation arising
from it, would have a sensible effect in improving the
climate, and therefore the soil and the people, in the un-
flooded and arid regions of the interior. Thus from the two
commercial points of view—utility and practicability—the
African inland sea scheme is one to be commended and en-
couraged, and for many other and more sentimental reasons
it is one which elicits the hopes and wishes of all who desire
human progress and well-being.