The Express.
London, England, 1847-06-08 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

We are happy to say that the reports received
from almost all quarters of the United Kingdom are
of a most latisfactoq• kind, and give reasonable hope
of an abundant, and, generally speaking, of an early
harvest. In Essex and some of the neighbouring
counties a continuance of drought has in some degree
affected the srops ; but the weather has changed within
the last twelve hours, and a fall of rain may shortly
be expected, as the wind is now from the W. With
respect to the potato disease, there can be no doubt that
it has re-appeared, though to what extent is matter of
speculation. Mr. Alfred Smee asserts that the Aphis
sestator is to be found on the potato plant in every
district round London, and that the worst apprehen- '
sions are to be anticipated. A correspondent, writing
from Devonshire, asserts that in that county the insect
has attacked the plant, but he trusts only partially, and
that, from its appearing so early, it will not injure the
general crop. He adds
I have seen several of the insects myself, but it requires
a keen eye to detect them, they are so small, and mostly in
the central bud of the stalk. No means should be left un-
tried to destroy the enemy. I think the damage is done
sometime before its effects are visible. Probably, about
this time the greatest mischief is going on, although the
plants are looking very vigorous and healthy. Powdered
lime (not hot), shook over the stalks may now do much
good, but not be of the least use when the disease has ap-
peared. The best remedy, perhaps, would be fumigation;
and should it be found effectual in destroying the insect,
methods may be adopted which probably would not be so
troublesome or expensive as some persons may at first think
them.
A correspondent who has closely examined the
potato crops in Lancashire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire,
favours us with the result of his investigations as
follows :

~......-
I can say, with much pleasure, that for many years I have
not seen fields of greater premise than thou which I have
witnessed here. Everywhere thepotato seems most luxuriant,
and in conversation with powers they almost universally
state that upon the closest inspection they cannot observe any
traces of the disease. Bat I must say that I think it likely
that we shall have reports of the disease upon some farms (in
isolated instant:tea), where the crop has been planted in ground
for years previously set with potatoes. There is a
praatke in these districts of setting continually she
same remind with potatoes, adding rich manure, obtained
from*, law
_lmmo; mad I am swan of man instauces
Int its of fable amooget asigsg_ plita whilst I
. VMS amdermlll3Batelices, samshlre
and Yorkshire, where crops peeved altogether sound when
planted in new pounds. I am aware, last year,
of • particular instance where two farmers were
pawing potatoes in fields separated only by a common'
hedge. Farmer A. had grown potatoes in his field,
in the way I have been referring to, for veers. He al-
together lost his crop, and the smell of the decaying
vegetables was a nuisance to the neighbourhood for months.
Farmer B. had turned up some old grass land, and he took
up a crop quite up to the average of years ago, pitted them,
and early this year opened the pits, finding every potato
sound. He sold his crop at 245. a load. In my own family
we have not had a bad potato during the winter, although,
of course, we have paid a large price for them ; and Me
Manchester and Leeds Railway Company have been deli-
vering sound Yorkshire potatoes in Manchester, during the
winter, to the poorer classes, at moderate prices.
We append the most interesting notices now to be
found in the local newspapers describing the condi-
tion of the crops. Taken altogether, these reports
are highly satisfactory.
BIDPORDSKIIE.—The wheat in this county, in many
situations, is superb, and the failure* upon the whole,
are few and far between; and although later than
common, we (Bedford Times) think so far it hide fair for
being • full average crop, and it may be even more than
that. The barley also as put in in a better state, and
(with few exceptions) look' remarkably promising. The
Lame, we think, may safely be said of the peas, beans, and
oata. At the same time, whatever may be the future
destiny of the potatoes, they are coming up well,
and the mangel mired never better; while the turnip
fellows, under good management, are in a forward state.
OITOIDSHIaI.—The crops of every description in our
neighbourhood look remarkably well, and promise to yield
an abundant harvest. We (Oxford Chronicle) have noticed
the potato in the small allotments, and never remember see-
ing
a better and more healthy looking plant. The parsnip,
we obeerve too, has been extensively cultivated this aeasoa
by the poorer classes, and will certainly, to a great extent,
form a very valuable substitute for the potato, should the
disease again manifest itself.—Nonrocx.—With just suffi-
dent length and substance of straw to support • well-filled
ear, we (Norfolk Chronick) look forward to a standing, '
and, as such, to a casting, crop of wheat ; more cannot be
said at present—more need not be desired. We know no
reason why we should not make use of similar language in
speaking of summer corn. The ravines of the wire-worm
(an soundly increasing put) are complained of; but the sti-
mulant imparted to vegetatian through the medium of
showery and warm weather will, we expect, counteract the
evil tendency. From the above cause, also, a fair average
crop of hay may be looked for at the appointed time. The
mixed grasses are deficient in one.particular, that of clover;
but, upon the whole, a moderately full swathe of other
louses will supply this defect. An unusually large breadth
of land has been seeded with mangel wurzel during the pre-
sent season, and in no instance do we ever remember to have
seen the work performed under more favourable circus-
stanoes.—CAYBRIDOMMIZE.—FrOM all quarters around 44
WI (Cambrulge Chronicle) hear the most cheering accounts
of the crops, which promise at present to be abundant and
not later than usual. The spring corn will shortly want
a little rain, perhaps, but just now appearances are as good
as they can be.—YolUESHran.—Another week of magnificent
summer weather has confirmed the hopes of an early and
favourable harvest. There bas now been a month of the finest
weather possible, and vegetation of every kind is in a healthy
and vigorous atate, excepueg only the potatoes, which are ',gain
found to be suffering from the mysterious disease which de-
stroyed them last year. The opinion, however, has revived
that the stock of corn in the country is very low; and this,
combined with the potato disease, has produced a decided
rally in the corn markets.—Lee 4 Afereury.—The same
paper, speaking of some signa of an early harvest, says -
" A friend of ours in the corn trade, who happened to be in
the neighbourhood of Add, near this town, on Monday last,
was perfectly surprised at the forward appearance and healthy
state of the crops; and as • sample he brought to our
office, on Tuesday morning, a beautiful stem of barley from
a field in that locality, almost in full ear. Should the pre-
sent fine weather continue, he thinks the field in question
will be ready for the sickle by the end of the present month.
The wheat crops here are in an equally forward state."—
LANCABllllOl.—Never was there such glorious weather as
(thrill the last three weeks, and never did the crops improve
so rapidly in so short a time. The wheat and spring corn
present a splendid appearenoe. The beans are equally
promising. The gnus is most luxuriant, and the
potatoes never came up with ouch a prospect of abun-
dance if the old disease does not again attack them.—
SOUTH LANCABIIIRIL—The weather continues to be mug.
nificent, and the crops in this neighbourhood are all that
could be wished. The heat and dryness are favourable to
the wheat, and hitherto they have done no injury to the
spring corn. We have rumours of disease amongst the
potatoes on the Cheshire side of the river, but have not seen
a single failure ourselves. Happily the country is far less
dependent en this precarious root than it formerly was.—
Liverpool Times.— Cuissulas.—The wheats are looking
well en the whole, and those lands which were reported thin
a while hack, in consequence, we presume, of the wire-worm
and " milking," are so tillering in many places, that there
will, we trust, be little to regret ultimately.—The same cheer-
ing news greets us from the west. In CORNWALL it is stated
that the cold, wet, and stormy weather experienced in May,
Ihas been succeeded by genial and lovely weather. It has
been satonishing, says the Plymouth Herald, to witness the
rapid growth of the wheat plant during the few last days ;

and if we are lend with a ematineause of the present
serene and sunny sky, we may yet hope to be engaged in
securing oar amps wields a wee et the wad time. The
wheat deldelmment a plater Teddy et eleeteese tals you
then is weak the ease; belie& mithedtygif them have
a geed, idea. tide mad doe gas pleat, ewe Is BM a tea-
ahead where the dart b thin
sad week ; and MK sbeekiwebelleammeed
ing, a hemp erep emamet expedsionandeidit diet:
thin. The epsiag dugs me Isaias reesedsellipered, wide t
few exceptions where Me lowa. We de mat melelpate
very. bevy mop of hey; the Swede teindpelifirshegblea done
irly in the spin, matt brain then* Mgt& Mbar
hard how to hike emu ef their ate , woad ander the asemesity
of stocking their seeds end meadow-Lad mush War gra Is
nueL—Base.—Wimpat appears to be pawing addleably,
pe
e ides a meat abundant yield, but the ears appear awe.
seffssing severely from the dry weather es well
as be= peas, beans. turnips, and =angel wersid—
Doestreemaa.—Everywhere the eye is struck with the sp-
=at the mod lextuiant abundance, and not folY
now the hope, under the blessing of Pettfdaam, of
a most plentiful, but she of an early harms*. N
can look better er ewe prevailing, pma then
oding
do the core env is the stood.adedthottrhThe hay
harvest has bum pmtidly begun; and this, as it
were, the first-has of the bora& of Ur yaw, pro-
misee to be even air aleadost then tire of MR yew—
Soxiassruirt.—Tle antIINIS4O.II wheat will seen be in
ear on genial soils, and, with favourable weaker, =ewe
may be expected where there is a
ifellsoSt aloa
however, m &deism& Beene dr wry woll.
there is promise ef aimmememn Parrs
and oar sr* is um
kakis, . Otoragel,
emery • • reteren
Gtocesersaseum.—Phis weather, and that of the mod
seasonable deseripelea iegheabie, has prevailed now for
a fortnight, mad the mangey in all directions through
Gloucestershire, m *nub England generally, wears a
most promising amid. Hirer, indeed, was there such an
appearance of 'headlines as that which every description
of vegetation exhibits, and the spring, though late in coming,
has made such good haste since its arrival in recovering
its last ground, that at the present moment the season
may be said to be fairly in advance of the calendar.—
Scaelee—Everything is luxuriant and promising to the Ut-
most of all reasonable desire, and should the present splendid
weather continue even but a abort time longer, but little
anxiety need be felt as to the prospect of the coming crop,
M to the time of harvest, which but the other day the
general opinion seemed to postpone far beyoad the usual
period, there can now exist little doubt but that the present
brilliant weather has amply compensated for the previous
backwardness of the season. The harvest cannot now be a
late one.—Liscotestrinz.—The crops are in a promising
condition, the late genial rains having had a very beneficial
effect upon vegetation. It is generally acknowledged that
better wheat and barley crops have not been seen for many
years, and should the present weather continue a short time
longer, the harvest, no doubt, will be a propitious one. Oats,
peas, and beans, look exceedingly well ; and the potatoes,
clover, and the grasses have a very thriving appearance.—
WILTSIIIIIE.—T-he wheats are wonderfully improved, and
although even the uninterrupted continuance of floe weather
cannot bring an early wheat harvest, yet we may now hope
that it will net be a very late ono.—MONXOUTliell IRA—The
weather for the last fortnight has been everything that could
be wished for. Crops are everywhere looking well, and hay-
making. will be general in a few days. We have heard no
complaints yet about potatoes in this country.—HAMP6XIM,
—The last three weeks have done wonders for all kinds of
crops, and thrown the interested prophecies of a late harvest
and expected scarcity into the shade. The wheat and
barley crops have improved wonderfully from the late
genial showers, and the meadows are waving in luxuriance,
promising a plentiful supply of fodder. The appear-
ance of the potato crop also promises an abundant
yield, although we have noticed the symptoms of the old
disease in damp situations.—NORTAVIIIIIIRIAND.—The
crops, in general, look fresh and vigorous, especially the
wheat and potatoes. Vegetation proceeds rapidly, and the
country presents, so far, a delightful verdant appearance.
The hay crop, which appeared to be lost, has been rendered
gait. secure, and thus the principal winter food of
cattle is safe. This is of the utmost consequence, as it will
not only enable us to keep more cattle and sheep at less
expense, but to economise grain and all descriptions of
food during the winter of the present year. In the pas-
tures the benefit will be immediately felt in the improved
condition of sheep and cattle, and the great increase of milk,
butter, and cheese. Under the reviving influence of
moisture and a mild temperature the spring corn has re-
covered from the effects of the biting frosts of the spring,
and looks as well as ever it did at this season of the year.
What is also of the greatest importance, it is growing much ,
more rapidly than any one ventured to hope that it would
do during the cold withering weather from which we have so
happily escaped • and will thus give us a tolerably early
harvest---In the CHLKNEL ISLANDEI the crepe are pro-
midge. If appearenses are to We relied ar(lll9s to Jersey
Advertiser), there seldom has been se fair a prospect for an
abundant harvest as that which meets the eye at every step
as one views the surface of the island. The fields and
orchards may be said to riot is luxurious abundance.—'
Water.—lt is extremely gratifying to be able to record that
the wheat plant is everywhere progressing very favourably.
The protracted winter, it was at one time feared, might have
materially injured the crops, but they have escaped the ordeal
unharmed, and now appear in the most promising condition.
During the past week the weather has been all that could
be desired ; and under its genial and fostering influence, the
face of the country is covered with beauty and with the pro.
miae of abundance. The hay crops are expected to be un-
usually heavy, and superior to those of many years pest.
BCOTI.AI4D.---BiaCe the commencement of the week the
weather has been unusually warm, and has exerted the most
beneficial influence on the crops. Front all parts of the
country the accounts of the progress ef vegetation are of the
most cheering description.—Lucanxeri tut—While there
are some Hying reports that the potatoes are again showing
symptoms of disease, we are pleased to state that we have
just seen a fine specimen of them, from the green-house at
Merriston, of the best quality, and perfectly sound. They
had been used at the end of the month, and found excellent.
Is it not strange that so many fine samples of last year's crop,
which, of course, was a total failure, are still to be bad in the
market ?-2diteLornrate.—The gloomy forebodings which
were rife within these few weeks, or rather days, as to the
likelihood of a famine before the next harvest could be
made available, are, we rejoin to say, ascertained to be with-
out foundation. With regard to the coming harvest, hither.
to. we rejoice to say, the potato crop looks and promises well;
and the wheats and every other grain are in the like satisfac-
tory c•mdition.—Peareeetett—Wheat never had a finer
colour, and the general appearance is highly favourable.
Barley has a regular and fresh appearance. Beane and peas
never at this period of the season looked better; but oats in
many instances have suffered by the grub and wire-worm.
In early districts some fields were re-sown r the last
weeks of May, and oats as well as the ether tarts of the
crop assume a healthy verdure. The ground planted with
potatoes is limited to a mere fraction of former pears.
Hitherto the appearance is favourable. A considerable
breadth formerly occupied by potatoes has this year been
sown with Swedish turnips.
lIIILAND.—The grain crops afford promise of greet
abundance. Experienced farmers, judging from present
appearances, are of opinion that the harvest will be some-
what later than the average period, but all concur in stating
that there it reason to anticipate an abundant yield. There
can be no doubt that the potatoe disease has to some extent
re-appeared.

EMBARKATION OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE
DUCHESS or KllNT.—This' naming, at half-put 9 o'clock,
the Duchess of Kent embarked at Woolwich, on board the
Garland. Her Royal Highness was received by Commo-
dore Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer, C.B. ; Sir Thomas Downesan.
Commandant of the Garrison; and the authorities of the
different departments of the dockyard. A battery of the
Royal Artillery was in waiting on the wharf, and deed the
royal salute, and the guard of honour was furnished
by the Royal Marines, with band and colour. The
steamers in commission in the river also manned their
yards, and the royal standard was hoisted at the dockyard.
At a quarter to ten o'clock the Garland with the royal
standard flying at the miten, swung round from the wharf,
and proceeded at a rattling speed down the river. It is
calculated that she will reach Ostend about six o'clock this
evening.
- - - -

THE IRON TRADE.—Another fortnight has passed
of the most seasonable and grow ing weather that could be
desired; under its cheering influence short crops, late harvests,
and blighted produce, are fast vanishing from the horizon
even of the most inveterate alarmists—while the returning
premise of an abundant provision for man and beast is hailed
with thankfulness, not only in our own favoured land, but
throughout all the countries where the scarcity has been
hitherto severely felt. Dependent mainly upon this bounti-
ful dispensation of Providence, and the consequent rapid re-
trograde movement in the core market, has been the confirma-
tion of the opinion maintained in our lest notice; that the crisis
of the monetary disorder was pared. Such ts indisputably
acknowledged now to be the fact; and the traces of re-
turning commercial confidence, controlled by the judicious
caution requisite to the recovery from so serious a derange-
ment, are daily becoming more evident. Though this im-
provement will necessarily have less immediate effect upon
the iron trade than many others, as it has participated SO
slightly in the general depression, yet its interests will not
remain unbenetitted. Prices have all along been well
maintained, and if the ironmaster's capital has not realized
so liberal a per centage of profit as formerly, and—as in the
opinion of some—might again have been obtained at the
close of the last year, still a steady remuneration has been
returned through the increased quantity of business done,
and the punctuality with which payment has been obtained.
Thus provided with the means of meeting present news-
Pities, and influenced by the better tone of feeling in the
commercial world, as well as the encouraging prospect of
further improvement, few would be found diaposd to under-
sell, even should the briskness of demand be suspended till
the renewed activity in railway enterprise again calls forth
the full energies of the trade. But if, on the other hand,
any consideration of our relationship with other conntries,
and the state of foreign competition, should force upon us
the policy of a temporary reduction, the low prices of pro-
visions wlhich will follow an abundant harvest will afford
an opportunity for such an equitable adjustment of wages

HONDURAS CorroN.—There are now lying at the
room of the Chamber of Commerce, in Kinretreet, several
parcels of cotton, which have been brought thither by a gen-
tleman who is desirous of seserteining the value of the
article. This cotton was gathered eight years ago in Hon-
duras, where it grows wild ; and, spite of the want of culti-
vation and care, one pawl of it is so extremely beautiful in
colour and long in staple, ea to be worth, in the opinion of
mum gentlemen, something like le. 6cl. to 2.5. per lb., and to
be fitted for the manuladare of lace. It is the produce of Sea
Island seed. There are other paresis which, though not so
good, me nevertheimeof excellent quality, end the inspection
of whisk tannet fall to suggest the idea, that in our western
poesesisee there Is mope for the production of cotton of a
caulk yid**. Past belies are not likely to furnish, to
Mitlirld=ser seem yeses, if at all. I:lntent:natal ,
Madame has bees aided to she
crows, Spain hes reserved to bend( rights over the eel lad
its cultivation which effectually prevent the =me hem
cultivating cotton, as well as mom, seri
articles of merchandier. If Spain amid be indesertirse-
linquish those rights which are utterly nimbus M bee sod
prejudicial to the bolder, of the soil, it eartelaly mom very
probable that a onoury which can produce spontaneously
such beautiful cotton, might in a few yams be made to
furnish a large quantity, end thus give to mu menufacturers
an additional security for a regular and adequate supply of
this indispensable article.—Blenchester Espess.
SALT MONOPOLY IN INDIA.—A meeting of the
Salt Chamber of Commerce was bell at Northwich, on
Saturday last, at which several gentlemen of high standing
in the commercial world attended. Resolutions to the fol-
lowing effect were unanimously agreed to ..—That the late
enactment of the Bengal government reducing, at only five
days' notice, the rates at which they sell their own salt, in a
greater proportion than they have lowered the duty on
British and foreign imported gait, has been framed solely
with the view of entirely excluding the manufacture of this
country from the Indian market —That the East India
Company are acting in direct violation of their charter in
continuing their manufacture of salt, and Unsling in that
article.—That the chairman of the Cheshire and Worcester-
shire Salt Chamber of Commerce be accordingly authorised,
on behalf of the salt trade of England, formally and energe-
tically to protest to the imperial parliament of Great Bri-
tain, her majesty's board of commissioners for the affairs
of India, and the honourable the court of director, of the
East India Company, against the continuance of such
manufacture and sale of salt, on the ground of its incon-
sistency with the terms on which they hold the government
of India, the injury it inflicts upon the natives of India, and
the serious impediment it offers to the trade and manufacture
of this country.—That the sincerest thanks of the salt trade
are due to Lord Sandon, M.P., Sir DenisLe Merchant, M.P.,
Lord It. Grosvenor, M.P.; Sir J. Pakington, H.P., Sir P.
Egerton M.P., the Hon. E. J. Stanley, BI.P. William
Brown, 'Esq., M.P., William Tatton Egertoo, isq., M.P.,
William Ewart, Esq., M.P., John Blackburn, Esq., M.P.,
J. Tollenuiche, Esq., M.P., Cornwall Legh, Esq., M.P., for
the support they have given the salt trade, and that they be
respectfully requested to continue to afford the benefit of
their co-operation towards the total and immediate destruc-
tion of the East India Company's salt monopoly.

PORT OF BIDEFORD.—The Lords of the Treasury
having been pleased by their order, recently issued, to ap
prove of Bideford u a port for the warehousing of tobacco
removed coastwise from the ports of importation for home
use, or for shipment as storm, upon proper premises being
provided, end the Commissioners of the Customs laving
approved of premises for the purpose, en order has been
issued to the principal officers of the revenue throughout
the kingdom to take measures for carrying their lordships'
order into effect.