The Sun.
London, England, 1865-10-17 00:00:00

Agricultural Prospects.

After six weeks of drought and fine sunny and
summer-like weather a complete change took place
on the first day of the past week, rain having fallen
at 7 a.m. while it was very wet at 9 p.m. On Mon-
day morning it was apparent much rain had fallen in
the past night, and the forenoon was showery, with
the afternoon very wet. This will prove a most ac-
ceptable change, enabling the farmer to set the
ploughs at work on all the heavy soils and to proceed
with wheat sowing on the lighter lands, giving an op-
portunity of getting the seed into the ground in fine
order. On Tuesday there was not much rain up to 2
p.m., when it becameshowery, and the night was yery
wet. Our advices on that day from the West Riding
of Yorkshire state—" After two showery;days and a
rainy night, we have aflow of waterin our river again,
which is very acceptable. Farmers too will now be
able to plough and to sow wheat and tares, as
weather permits ; and if it keeps mild, turnips will '
improve in some cases, though too far gone to do so
generally. A good breadth of rye will no doubt be
sown, as it was last year, and came in well for the
sheep. I do not hear much complaint of potatoes,
and the finest of the wheat is what the public will
have." Wednesday morning was foggy, and heavy
showers fell at intervals throughout the day. Wind
S.W., thermometer 60 deg. ; barometer as low as
29.20 inches, with boisterous weather ou all
the east coast ; and the " drum" signal generally
hoisted, with a rough high sea up to Scotland
' inclusive. One account from Wales makes the
fall of rain within 24 hours to register 2.32
inches, and such falls would soon balance
accounts of the dry weather previously. Thurs-
day was a fine breezy day, freshening the
atmosphere and doing much good. The farmers
were busily engaged in all directions with their
autumnal tillage, and will now make up for lost
time in waiting for a fall of moisture. Our advices
from Warwickshire, on that date, remark—'4 The
weather in this district was fine until Sunday ; since
that day we have had continued rain, which was
much wanted, and will be of immense benefit to the
country generally, but more especially to farmers
preparing for wheat sowing." In the west of Eng-
land the rain has been welcomel ; and in Somerset-
shire it was remarked—" The weather has at length
undergone a change, and we have had several
heavy storms of rain, which were much needed."
From Suffolk our advices say—" The weather has
changed, and already some quantity of rain has
fallen." From the East Riding of Yorkshire it was
observed—" After about six weeks of continued
dry hot weather, rain has at last set in, and we
have had about a couple of days of heavy downfall ;
but still, with a high range of temperature for the
time of year the benefit to the country must be great,
as seldom has such dry summer-like weather been
experienced at this season." From Northumberland
advices run—" The weather continued fine up to
Sunday afternoon; since then it has been very wet;
wind varying from south-west to south .east." From
Lancashire it was stated—" The long-continued
drought has at length been relieved by a plentiful
fall of rain last night, and the barometer this morn-
ing has receded to a point indicative of more wet.
The drought has naturally affected the production of
flour in France, by the stoppage of many mills de-
pendent on water power." From Suffolk, on the coast
the advices say—" Since our last we have had some
heavy rain, which was greatly needed." Iu Scotland
the weather broke on Sunday last, since when there
has been rain and wind. All accounts agree in the
great activity going on throughout the length and
breadth of the land with autumnal tillage, and some
fine samples of white wheats have been secured,
with those from Scotland in the best order. The
red straw white and Chidham from the Lothians are
very fine; rough chaff qualities are to be met with
in England, and very select red nursery, and occa-

sionally a prime lot of golden dro:
Saturday were fine days, with a mi
Peiature, on the latter clay down
barometer much higher, up to 29.80 i.
the wind variable, almost all round the
always an indication of rain, and at 8 p.m. there
was a return of wet. On the whole, during last
week, a large extent of land was ploughed, and a
good deal of wheat got into the ground most favor-
ably. The weather now will be suitable for the
maltsters, who will want a greater supply of barley,
and they must pay full prices for the best qualities.
Other sorts may go for grinding purposes, but the
present low rates for these are far from being re-
munerative.—Marb-Lane Express of yesterday.