The Express.
London, England, 1863-08-25 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

The weather this week has nod been so settled, '
and some interruption has takes pekes in harvest work not '
yet completed. On the first day el the week a heavy shower '
fell in the forenoon, but it afterweads dewed up, and was '
fine and breezy throughout the remainder of the day.
Slight showers were experienced in the forenoon of Monday, '
tine at intervals afterwards, but with some heavy rain at
5 p.m. On Tuesday the temperature was lower, the ther-
mometer
being down to 56, and the barometer standing
at 20.75. Wind N.W. Oar &deices on that day from
Spalding state :—" Sinai my last report the weather has
been all that mould be desired for harvest operatioas, and
peat progress has been made in these districui. Two-thirds
of the grain are out, but only • small portion in stack."
From Newcastle the same day it was stated :—"Theweather
since our last 'sport has for the most part been fine and
favourable for the crops, with winds from the east and
north-east. Wind to day north-west." From Hull oe the
same day it was :—" The weather has continued as fine
las could be desired, the occasional rains having had no
injurious effect upon the crops. The harvest is now general
in this district, and, with a continuance of gm weather,
will very soon be satisfactorily secured." On Wednesday •
steady rain was experienced for the greater 'part of the
day—thermometer 62 dep., barometer 26.70 is., wind
south-west to treat. This would put a stop to harvest
work wherever it was prooeediog. From Nottiogharoshire OD
that day it was remarked :—" The weather was very fine up
to,Mooday, but since then we have bad refreshing showers,
and the root crops have been greatly benefited ; the pastures
will also be considerably improved. The corn crops on
the whole are very well reported of. Wheat is • splendid
crop, and the yield and quality of barley will be good. Oats
have been gathered in excellent condition. Beans var.r"
From Norfolk on the same day our advice, state " •
have had showers yesterday and to-day, otherwise the
weather has been fine, and harvest °pentane have gone on
freely ; about two-thirds of the wheat midi one-third of the
barley are secured in fine order, but them showers will sow
interfere with the condition of the rest." On Thursday
rain fell .at intervals ; the thermometer was dews to
60 dep.. barometer 30 iodise, and rising ; wind N. to
N.W. From the West Riding of Yorkshire on that day
our adnces state :—" I have been around to reconnoitre,
and found splendid crops of wheat and barley, all ready
for cutting, in fact ; a great deal is cut, but not much
carted. We have had several showers during the week,
and it is yet gloomy, so that I scarcely expect our farmers
will be able to get their corn up io the lame condition ea it
has been got in the south." From Suffolk, on the same day,
our &deices say :—" Since Sunday the weather has been
cold and cloudy without rain, until last evening, when
heavy showers fell. The bulk of the wheat in this district
is secured in excellent order, and the yield is reported as
most satisfactory. On the forward Wide, a large breadth of
Miley bout, stair proportion secured ; and Hassan:mice shown,
although varying in quality, promise well for thegeneral crop."
Again, from the same county, on the coast it was remarked :
'-`The weather here Las continued fine and dry until last
evening, when we had several hours' most refreshing rain,
the • very polish' required for our barley crop. The wheat
harvest is mealy over with us, and the barley rapidly pro-
gressing, but the rain of yesterday will stay carting awhile
--quauuty and quality, with some exceptions, will be
highly satisfactory, and 1868 undoubtedly will be deemed
as one of the finest growths of grain on record." Friday
proved a fine dry day—wind N.W., thermometer. 62 deg.,
barometer inches—and a good deal of grain would go
up in fair condition, although generally, we thick, DO
grain has been secured in such fine order in this
as during last week. Wheat simples will not handle so dry,
but the barley will be all the better for this moisture—im-
proving its malting properties materially, whilst there has
not been sufficient rain to discolour the sample. Oceasiorial
gleams of sun were experienced on Saturday, but it was
meetly dull, sod the weather had a doubtful
flood progress has been roads in the past two al.l7l7ThicZe;
thrashing machines ore well engaged, and there is no dif i.
culty in knocking out quantity this year. Fanners are
universally expressing themselves satisfied with the yield of
wheat as well as with the quality.—Mark-lane Express.