The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-04 00:00:00

THE CORN TRADE.

(Free the 11.1rk-Isne Ererear )
BRITISH.

With the close of the year we beg to lay before
oar readers a short retrospect of some of the mat promi-
nent event* by which the period embraced in the last melts
mouths has been characterised.

We usually refrain from political remark in this pluce ;
and shall not enter at any length into the ministerial
changes; but this we may say, that, atter the decision of
the House of Commons, by • majority of 468 against 53
votes in favour of free trade, all idea of a return to protec-
tive duties must be wholly abandoned, and any arrange
mints which farmers may have to entry into with their
landlords must be with the full understanding that the legis-
lature hes decided against affording them any relief.
The extraordinary discoveries of gold in Australia may
be expected to have considerable influence en the value of
all kinds of property hereafter, and may perhaps be the
means of counteracting the depressing effect of free trade
on the agriculture of Great Britain. That it has aseady
given a great impetus to most brooches of commerce, can-
not be questioned; and that the at isity which har pre-
vailed in the manufacturing distric-s has stimulated con-
sumption, and caused an increased demand for agricultural
produce, is equally certain. We trust, theret, re, that the
new year may ;wove prosperous to all classes of the com-
munity, and that farmers may yet be in ibled to obtain a
fair return for their capital and industry.
The year just terminated has unqueszionativ been one of
great trials to our agriculture' friends. The .ic.,eons hate
boss of an extraordinary character, by which the crops
have been extensively injured; and to th.s we mar add
that the cost of securing the same, and inCeed neat act the
expenses incidental to farming, have been mats halls- in-
creased by the rise in wages, owing to emigration on an ex-
tensive scale to the new gold fields.
The year began favourably. The winter was rot severe,
but occasional frosts were experienced, which checked pre-
mature luxuriance in the autumn-sown wheat, and the
plant continued to wear • promising appearacec tem its first
showing itself above ground till it was nearly ripe.
The spring was likewise propitious for out-dcor labours,
and the sowing of barley, oats, beans, and ecru
was accomplished in good order. Ahoet April some
uneasiness began, however, to be kit respecting the
weather; no rain fell, and it was fearel that the seed
iseemnitteel to the soil in February and March might fail
la the absence of moisture to vegetate. This apprehen-
sion waa allayed in May; the wind, which had Teen al-
most constantly from the eastward for • period of two
months, shifted to the west ; the temperature toss, and
under the combined influence of warmth and rain the face
of the country soon assumed a promising a; pearance. It
has, however, since been proved that the spring corn,pulse,
and grass crops never recovered entirety from the ill effect;
of the cold and dry weather in April. The wheat plant
being more hardy, received little injury, and till on the
eve of harvest the prospects were of the most fiatterihg de-
scription: it was then, however, discovered that the in-
tense heat experienced in July had caused premature
ripeness, and that the ears had in =say cases died off be fore
they had become properly filled. This gave rise to some
uneasiness, but no real louse for apprehension occurred
till towards the end of July, when heavy rain set in; this
continued throughout August and the greater part of Sep-
tember, and the bright hopes previously indulged in oret•
entirely frustrated. The harvest proved both tedious and
expensive, and in the southern counties very little corn was
carried in a perfectly sound state. Wheat suffered more
than spring corn from this state of thiegs, bat the produc-
tiveness of the mops generally was much lessened by
the unfavourable weather, and the quality seriously
damaged.
The fluctuations in prices of wheat have not been very
great. In the month of January a rise act 4s. to is, per qr.
took place, which was again hot in the following two
months, the decline in February being is. and in March
34. per qr. During May and June prices remained nearly
stationary, the tendency being, however, downwards, and
in July a further fall of 2s. per qr. occurred. The wet
weather is August naturally caused considerable excite-
ment, and a rise of 4s. per qr. took place in consequ. nce.
On the 23rd of that month about 1,003 qrs. of new wheat
appeared at Mark-lane ; the opening prices were for red
from 325. to 405., and for white from 38s. to 4bs., picked
samples le. to 2s. per qr. more. These rates, low as they
were, could not be long maintained, and after the first sup-
ply of new had made its appearance the general runs of
red were sold at 345. to 38s. These prices continued
throughout September ; but in October, when the deli-
veries from the growers began to fall oft, au advance of
about 2s. per qr. was established. Until nearly the clue
of November matters remained in much the same position,
but Once then considerable excitement bas prevailed, and a
material rise in quotations has taken place.
That the low value of wheat has caused an unusualiy
large consumption of bread, cannot be questioned ; and
within the last month or two it has been discovered that,
notwithstanding abuadaat supplies of foreign %hoot and
flour, stocks have not only not accumulated, but that a
rapid diminution of the quantity of breadstuffs in ware-
house has taken place at most of the principal ports. Mer-
slants and millers, who had up to that time (teemed it pru-
dent to confine their purchases to what they had needed for
immediate use, began to consider it would not be unwise to
have some reserve ; and an impetus being thus given to
the demand, • few speculative parch came forward.
The upward movement began at Liverpool, and prices had
risen several shillings per quarter in the northern markets
before Mark-lane was muck influenced ; since thin, how-
ever, the rise has been quite as great in the metropolis as in
other parts of the kingdom. That the very wet weather
experienced in October, November, and the first fortnight
in December, has assisted the upward movement, is certain ;
and at this no surprise can be felt, as the chances are that
the effects of so enormous a fall of rain will be felt here-
after. Only a comparatively small breadth of land
was sown before the wet set in, and what has been com-
mitted to the ground during the intervals of dry weather
since experienced can scarcely have been sown in a satis-
factory manner, and it is to be feared that much will not
be sown at all till spring. The prospects for the next wheat
crop are therefore by no means promising, and the chances
are that we shall not again have such low prices for wheat
for some time to come as those we have been accustomed to
since the commencement of free trade.
The average price for the kingdom was, in 1648, 50s. 6d. ;
1849, 441. 6d. ; 1859, 40s. 4d.; and 18-51, 38s. 7d. per quar-
ter. The return for the year just closed has not yet peen
compiled. _

Spring oorn has throughout the year realised more remu-
nerating rates than wheat. The opening price for malting
barley after harvest was 325. ti 335. ; it gradually rose to
36e. and picked lots even brought 375. to 33. t. per quarter.
Within the last week or two quotations have given way
about 2s.yer quarter. Oats, beans, and peas have all sold
relatively better than wheat till recently ; but as prices of
these articles have not risen in the same proportion since
the closed' November as those of wheat, it is probable that
farmers may fora time thrash the latter in preference to the
former, which may perhaps stay the upward movement.
Having on several recent occasions given our views at
some length respecting the probable future course of prices,
it is unnecessary again to advert to thesubject ; but we have
no hesitation in remarking that our opinion has undergone
no change. We therefore regard the present pause in the
wheat trade as likely to be followed by • period of re-
newed activity. The Christmas holidays have, no doubt,
had their usual influence ; and to this the dulness which
has prevailed the greater part of the week may be partly
attributed.

The arrivals of wheat coastwise into the port of London
have been small, and the quantity brought forward at
Mark-lane by land carriage samples from the neighbouring
counties has been quite insignificant. The millers have
conducted their operations with great caution throughout
the week, but fatten have remained very firm, and the
gales made hays been at fully previous terms. We fancied
that we could discern rather more anxiety on the part of
buyers on Friday to get into stock than they have mani-
fested of late, and the prices then realised were, in our opi-
nion, quite equal to those of Monday.
The late severe gales from the westward have most likely
driven vessels from the Baltic on passage to Great Britain
back, which accounts for the smallness of the foreign sup-
plies during the last week or two. In the early part of the
week there was little doing in foreign wheat; on Friday,
ho , there was an improved inquiry, our market being
visited by a good many country purchasers. The quanti-
ties taken were not individually large, but the aggr.gate of
the sales was rather considerable; for moderately good
qualities of red 48a. to 505., and for fine 535. to 545. per qr.
was obtained. Danzig brought proportionate rates.
The operations in floating cargoes of wheat have not
been au/naive, but previous prices have been tolerably
well supported.
The sale for town-made flour has been slow, the bakers
having shown great unwillingness to pay the recently en-
hanced terms. Country flour has also moved off tardily,
and the transactions in American have, during the last
fortnight, been much less important than they were in the
early part of December, and it has been difficult to obtain
the extreme rates then current.

The supply of English barley has been moderate, and
the greater part of what has come to hand (having pre-
viously been sold by sample) has gone direct to the maluters
and distillers. The few lots which have been exhibited
have been held with increased firmness, and the turn has
been against the buyer. Foreign barley has sold in retail
quantities for grinding at hilly previous prices.
The inquiry for malt has been tolerably active, and its
farmer value has been well supported.
Oats have come rather sparingly to hand, the total ar-
rival, including 9,2;18 qrs. from abroad, having amounted
to only 11,342 qrs. lhe belief that better strophes are
close at hand has naturally influenced the operation. of the
large dealers, and they have refused to purchase more thus
they have needed for immediate use. The trade has there-
lore not been brisk, and factors have been unable to esta-
blish
any quotable advance on former prices.
Beans have met with little attention, which may be partly
accounted for by the extreme mildness of the weetler ; tLe
supply having, however, been small, there has been no dis-
position to give way in prices.
The demand for peas has likewise, and probably from the
sante cause, been slow, but former rates have been firmly
in,i.ted on.

Ili the early part of the week, 3.58. per qr. was raid for a
cargo of Galata Indian corn arrived off the coast.

FOREIGN.

By the most recent advices from the north of Europe we
learn that the weather had remained very mild and open,
but vessels baying become exceedingly scarce, few ship-
ments were being made from any of the Baltic parts.
Danzig letters state that little had been done during the
Christmas week, and that prices bad undergone no material
change. The latest sale of wheat bad been ► parcel of 700
qrs., indifferent quality, of mixed, weighing abjut tis bs.
per bushel, for which equal to Ng. per qr. free ou Wara

r bad been paid. A esunle more vessels had been eh ertercd
for Londcn at Ss. 61. per q..
At Konigsberg, on Tuesday, the tbernroneter stoecl at 14
degrees Fain% above frecxii.g point. From th:• absence of
frost, and the generally wet character ot the weather .curing
tha winter, the roads 'tad become almost impa— bk., and
i the supplies of graiu fr irn the growers had eoneequently
been very small. Swear in granary had been grest!e re-
duced by the autumn sh:pmeats, and hAders of
notwithstanding the more subdued tone of the Er gs..sh ad-
vices, remained exceedingly hem. Ilign wised, weighing
,61ilbs., was then quoted 301 : mixed, of the same weight,
4th. ; sod red, alas 611ibs. per bushel, ..166. W r qr. tree on
board in spring.
At Restock, on the 2rth of December, there was not much
doing in wheat, but mast of what ha,l hero ',relic tidy re-
ceived hail met re►dy :Akers at full t rms. The weather
was open, and a few ee,sels were comp:et:l,g the it care tea.
Good 61 to 62Ibs. qualities had nut h•t n tr!ow 45.. per
• qr. flee on board, ■nd that price was then sti.l insisted on.
The supply of barley 11:.d barely sufficed to satisfy the local
demand, and a price equal to 2.ss. per qr. free on bused had
been rcadi:y realised t r parcels weighing of to 52113 a. per
bush.

Hamburg &deices, of Tuesday, deser:l'e the wheat toads
as firm, though lifelem.. Red nrirks wheat on the spot,
weighin!, Gllbs. per buih., had not beer. e•fer‘ d below 475. Ga.,
and the rates asked for spring shipment from ouliorta had
been much the sane as before; say, fur Gdilbs. Pomo-
ranisn, 48s ; Rostov::, 495. per q I..eer fr.t. on hosed.
In spring corn there had not been la :eh pas.ing. Dmsisk
barley fur siring ehipinint was quote.: :rum 266.,
and oats 17s. 9d. per qr.
The &deices from lio.iand are of very little interest, and
the tendency of prices appears to hale been rather down-
wards at Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
In the French mark-ts quotat.ons seem also to have
given way, and at on Wednenlsy, ,econdary Linde of
Hour were decidedly rs,er to buy.
The latest accounts tram America state that the weather
had been mild up to that time, and that the canal naviga-
, tiou was still free. T!.e stock of Hour at the ports on the
seaboard were, however, small; which. togethi r with the
generally encouraging reports from Eurups, hdd caused
holders of wheat and flour to Moisten very full terms. At
New York, Western ednsl flour was quoted -5 doh. 61c. to
5 dolt:. !tie. per brL ; mad Lionesses white w heat 120 c. to
130 c. per GOlbo.

SPORTING.

TATTERSALL'B.—Moxn AY.
METROPOLITAN HANDICAP.

20 to 1 asst Mr. T

Davesos;;WiLivan—i7m. (t)

20 to 1 ---
Mr. C. Peek's Richmond (t)
2•i to 1 Mr. Meikiatues Httelitt (t)
28 to 1 Mr. Psyue's Hirsute (t)
28 to 1 Mr. Miluer's Grapeshot (t)
3J to 1 —261 r. s tutuby's Contentment (tend nit 0)
30 to 1 Mr.Wreford'sWedlock fil y(t at.d aft oll)
Galvanism, Richtoond, and Grapeshot were tl.e only
horses is force. Contentment was uumistskeabiy on the
decline.

CHESTER CUP.

50 to 1 agst Lori il'ilt;u's Lady Er: lyn
50 to 1 Mr. If orria's Indian Warrior
50 to 1 Mr. Graville's Muscovite
60 to 1 Mr. °nettle's Scarecrow
1000 to 10 —Capt.,in Key's Little J..ck
The odds quoted ag the first four were taken to forty
or fifty puunds each, and cttetwards uttered.
LIVERPOOL STEEPLE eIiASE.
16 to 1 apt Mi.s Dlowbray (t end aft WI )
16 to 1 Sir Peer Laurie
_ _

_
16 to 1 knight of Gwyune (t and aft off)
25 to 1 L George (t and aft utt )
40 to 1 Widoss MaeLree (t and alt off)
100 to 6 Bourtun (t and att off)
DERBY.
14 to 1 agst Mr. Iluwes's West Australian (t)
16 to 1 Mr. l'uwney'a Cineas (t)
16 to 1 Duke Richmond's Pharos (t)
17 to 1 Lord Derb3'l6 Untbriel (t)
18 to 1 Baron lt .th.ehtld's Ort.steqkt)
18 to 1 Lord Juhn &nu's The Iteiv.t (t)
20 to 1 Duke of Bedford's Sittane (t)
40 to 1 Mr. Thellu,•un's Itataplan (:)
50 to 1 Lord GL1.g0111.4
50 to 1 M. unity's, Orinoco (t)
50 to 1 Mr. Walter's Lord Fauconberir (t)
1000 to 15 Mr. t-ortee's floneywood (t)
The outlay on this vent wns small, and in almost every
instance the odds were offered at the close.

EPSOM SPRING; MinnNo.—The Suburban Handicap,
with tile usual bouus, elusesonsFriday week.
Mr. Howard's we are informed, are ab,fat to be
removed to Mitchel! Cir,,ve. Eltusthorpe, viLo has chauged
masters, goes into W. Day's stable.

STRETFORD S TEENY, CH ASES. —.TAN. 1.
STRETFORD STEEPLE C/lA4E of 3 SOTS. eSeh, wi•h 25
added, the second horse to save his stake, and the winner
to pay •5 sees. toward, expenses. About three miles ant a
halt.

Mr. Jackson's Labyrinth, 5 yrs, 9st Gib..(Fowler) 1
Mr. Henry's Lady Wilton, B.it White) 2
Mr. Land's Veatress 'h b) Errs, 9,t (W. H. Treen) 3

Mr. Byron n. Falcon: sgell,lSt.4lb (Dtidds 4
Mr. Tempest', Knight of the Pipe, 9,4110 in (Jones) 0

.ise ripe, 9st 50.,.._
Mr. Lamplugh's Tempest, 9st 81b ..(H. Lamplugh) 0
Mr. Nicholl's Miracle, aged, 9.t 41b (car. 9st 71b)
(Weetnsan) 0
Mr. Harding'a Miss Purden (hi b), 4 yrs, fist 21b
(Dunn) 0
MaNcitEsratt STEEPLE CHASE 015 sots. each, with 35
added. A winner Many steeple chase after the puhlicati
of the weights to carry 7.b extra, the second to save his
stake, and the winner to psy 6 sots. towards expenses.
About three miles and a half.

Mr. Scott's Shinrone, Aged, lOst (C. Boyce) 1
Mr. Land's the Screw. aged, lOst 61b (W H. Treen) 2
Mr. Nicholl's Queen of the Vale, (h b) aged, 9st 121 b
(A. Clarke) 3
Mr. Henderson's Widvw Maehree, aged, lost 61b
(Fowler) 0
Capt. Pasco's Royal Blue, aged, lOst 4lk ..(Brittoa) 0
Mr. Higgin's Simple P -ter, 6 yes, Mit (Weaver) 0
Mr. Cowbum's Flying Buck, aged, lOst ..(TLisker)
Mr. Warburton's Ballinasloe, aged, 9st 101b(Owricr) 0
Mr. Barling's Harriott, aged, 9st Blb ....(Eitwell) 0
Mr. Lamplugh's Pirate, aged, 94t .. (11. Lamplugh) 0
Mr. Barton's Pioneer, aged 9st (Turner) 0

Won.bf three lengths.
RAILWAY STAKES of 20 son., 5-year.olcls, 10. t 7lh ; sit
and aged, list, the winner to be sold for 60 Pore., and
allowance if to be sold for lees, about three miles, was
won by Mr. Bretherton's b m by Genus (Britton), beating
Mr. Morris's the Dwarf (\V. Johnson), Mr. (irimmer's
Sarah (H. Lamplufth), Mr. Nieholl's Miracle (W. Evans),
Mr. Nicholl In Sarah Jane (Bowler), Mr. Hiirriion's Lord
Robert (A. Clarke), and Mr. Richardsou's Master Wanes
(C. Bloor.)