The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-26 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL PROSPZCTS.

This week opened moat unfavourably, the first
day being thoroughly wet, with the wind from the N. and
N.N.E., a quarter from which all the moist weather bas
come this summer. Monday was better, but dull up to
4 p.m., when the sun burst forth, giving somewhat more
hopes of • favourable turn. The ooru would scarcely be
dry enough in the south, but in Yorkshire the weather was
splendid. Tuesday proved • brilliant day, and the pietist
activity prevailed in the field, and a large breadth of core
was cut down. One farmer in Norfolk had twenty-
eight mowers in • wheat field, and fourteen in a
barley field, with the machine actively engaged in ano-
ther. In Suffolk, on that day, it was written, We have
bad quite a succession of wet weather since our last, which
has interfered with harvest work, without mooing any par-
ticular damage to our corn crops. At present in this im-
mediate locality little or no wheat as carried." From
soother part of the mime county other correspondents state,
"The weather since our last continued fine till Thursday,
when some rain fell, followed by worsen Friday, from which
time for thirty-six home it was an uniotermittiog storm of
water. The crop, which before the rain was generally
coming to band very unfavourably, both in quantity and
quality, is not, so far, we hope, seriously damaged, though
the early wheats have commenced sprouting, and the early
barleys hove kit their golden Noon There is now no
question but that our crop is in a most critical condition,
the issue of which a few days will de'ermise." From
Soinersetshire, the lame day, it was remarked, "Harvest
in this district is now become general, and the reports on
the whole are about an average crop of wheat, and of good
quality. Much rain has fallen since this day week, which
has caused some of the early cut wheata to sprout." From
Lincolnshire, on the same day, came the meet cheering ad-
vice 'which stated, " This is a summer's day in reality, and
harvesting: is progressing satisfactorily. After all the cold,
envois.' weather we have bad during the pest summer,
the wheat promises in this county to be better
than we have had for some years ; the ears are
well filled, and the straw is bright and clean."
Wednesday proved toe. but not so sunny, but yet warm.
Wind S.W., and good progress was made with harvest
work. From Nottinghamshire, on that day, the accounts
were as follows :—" The weather has been very fine since
Sunday, and farmer+ are now very buy with their har-
vest. A considerable breadth of wheat and oats his been
cot ; and the yield, on the whole, promises to be fair.
Beans and peas ere making steady progress. Posturia and
turnips are improving." From Norfolk, oe the coast, our
informant mays, ' Harvest operations were stayed by heavy
rains on Friday, Satan:toy, and Sunday ; but it has been
fine the last three days, and some quantity of wheat will
be secured to-night. Very little has yet been thredred,
and there is no new on offer today. Therein has tinged
and discoloured the barleys that were cut, but Isis mel-
lowed and improved that which was standing," Thurs-
day was a favourable day, but ant so ensue ; still, being
the fourth floe day, a greet breadth of lend was raped.
Thermometer 70 deg. Our advises on that day stated, from
Suffolk, "We had a continued heavy rain on Saturday end
Sunday last, from which; at the time, material injury erases-
ticipated ; bat boring bed brilliant, warm, dry, sunny weather
since, with • fair breeze. harvest is now rapidly sod satis-
factorily progressing with us. Wheat& do not improve se
cutting progreasee, and even the hest will come ender the
estimate previously formed of them. The little barley
which has been cut will lose its flavour, but the unending
barley promisee a decided improvement, especially in its
malting properties." From another part of the same
county it was observed, "After sixty hours' inclement
rain, the weather cleared op no Monday noon, god bassinet
been bright and warm. All the wheat end barley that
were in the fields cot sustained considerable injury ; standing
corn has not suffered much ; of course harvest work is in-
terrupted, and a supply of the new crop deferred." On
Friday morning it wan threatening ; and as about three
hours' smart rain bad fallen during the past night in many
districts, with the atmosphere being close and warm, the
cut corn must have taken some injury. The day proved fine,
but not so settled se previously. From Wells, in Norfolk,
cm that day, it was stated. "Up to 5 a.m. to-day the
weather has Iwo fine for harvest ; since then, up to 9 a.m.,
a very heavy rain has fallen, and the rain that is already
rut will want a good deal of drying. Between this place and
Fakenharn a great breadth is ready to cart es soon as oppor-
tunity offers.. The wet did not reach to Norwich. We must
not look for grain equal to the crop of last year." From the
West Riding of Yorkshire of the SAMS day our Writs' run,
" Sines Tuesday we have had no rain. Wednesday was a
very gloomy day ; yesterday was floe in the morning, but
afterwards became very gloomy. and very like min, but we
have not bad any in this immediate neighbourhood. T01e...1
is a really fine harvest day, and harvest-work will be
on Monday, if the weather continues fine." From LL7oir7:
shire on the same day our oorrespoodeut said, "The
weather continues file, though not forcing t end harvest
matters proceed ethiefactorily. Oartieg wheat has eon.
:mooed on • email scale, which will soon, however, be ex-
tended with dry weather. I am afraid oat batiez is yet
finishing so wall as I anticipated, as regards odour. Rattrr-
day proved a line day, with • good dial of sun, aad numb
harvest would be accomplished ; but frau the anxiety to