The Express.
London, England, 1860-08-28 00:00:00

BRITISH HARVEST PROSPECTS.

(From the Nark Lane Expreu.)

The past week opened somewhat more favourably, Ai,'
for two days with a little sunshine. This served to white,
the crone, as well as to give occasional opportunities is
farmers to proceed with the carrying of their hay. The r,
newel of heavy rams at • very critical period has placed mo.
harvest in extreme jeopardy, and already done oszsider.o.!t
damage to wheat, barley, and peas. But little wheat sa
cut before the rain, and this is now exposed with ~th„
grain. Under such calamitous circumstances not only
agricultural interest threatened with seriously heavy
but a national calamity is imminent, uulesaawisePrOvillene,
speedily in . The early country markets were ,oly
little affected; but later in the week prices ail::
fully 2s. per qr. higher for wheat; while
town millers, through sheer uecisisity, have foulA
it necessary to protect thonmelves by so extraol•
dinar), an advance as 6s. per sack on flour. The northern
parts of France and Europe having also experienced the
same unfavourable weather, almost every market in theve
countries bas risen ; and without some genial change, not
only England, but nearly half Europe will be threatened in
its vital interests. The vigilant government of France Ins
already issued a decree for the nation's benefit, authorisiag
the import of grain and flour at the minimum duty up to
the 15th of September, 1861. This is about Bd. per qr., or
two-thirds of the duty payable here. Such a measure, white
it goes to secure France, somewhat abates the security of
Great Britain. What, then, are our stocks or resources
becomes a most important question ; especially as potattes
are everywhere failing fast, and the absence of official
formation prevents a more satisfactory solution. We have
I but to remark that, with a defective crop of
I wheat last year, we have gone on in the
way of imports, taking the cereal year as closed on
the 31st of July hat, at • rate of about 25 per cent.
than during the three emus preceding. The real figures in
wheat and emir thus show a deficiency of 1,205,333 quarter.
for the last year. Now, the moderate surplus of the pre
vices yeah of plenty being almost consumed, as well a.
nearly all the stocks of old oorn throughout the continent
we may yet be mainly dependent on the surplus of thi,
year's crops, as received from foreign shores.
The arrivals off the coast since the 15th inst. were 6•
cargoes, of which 29 were wheat, 21 maize, 13 barley
and the remainder mines ; the laminate reported bele
as follows : About 23 cajloes of wheat, 2 Benbanski at 55.
and 565. 6cl. • ' 2 Mariano eat sfis. 9d. and 57a; 13 Taganro
Ohirka at 1535. &L to 5s s. ; and one hard at 51s. • 1 Poliel
Odessa at 565. 4 trii.ifiandomirka at Ms. • 1 abas s
1525. 94. • sad 2 • Badi at 445. and 4.55. ; 7 cargoe
maize, 9d. to 3d. • 8 cargoes of barley at 26e. iii
to 30s. 9d. • and one heated at ris. 6d.; two Egyptim
beans, at 328:. 9d. to Ms. ; one of rye at 31s. 6d. ; and on.
Odessa oats at 19s. 9d.

The males noted last week were 72,322 qrs. wheat at
595. 6d., aciinat 79,149 qrs. in 1869. The London averagt
were 61s. 3d. on 2,146 qrs.
The arrivals into the principal porta of Great Britain foi
the week ending August 15, in wheat and flour, were equal
to 123,504 qrs., including 1,313 qrs. colonial.