The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-02 00:00:00

THE HARVEST PROSPECTS.

DONCASTER, Aug 31.—From all parte
i!.
of Yorkshire we receive the
most foa;vtohneraexhitereamoceofinzinet ' of
the state of the grain crops,and
ess
become
°Ott
ew egantnheerraflorinh harvest operations,estthethrae
R idtgaps,i7gthheascrnoopws
having ripened rapidly within the last few days, ,and, if
there is no check with the weather, an immeitte) -
tity of corn will be safelflicariecthefore the end of next
week. The yield and quality of the grain, More espe-
cially of wheat, are highly spoken of on almost every
hand, and there can be do doubt the present will prove
one of the most prolific harvests on record. The supply
of field labourers was, a few days ago, adequate to the
demand, but hands are now very scarce, and wages are
in some instances rising. Perhaps there never was a
greater body of labourers in the harvest-field at one time
in this county than there is at the present moment,
nearly every grower of grain having as full a staff at
work as he can get. We hear only occasionally of the
reapingimachines being in operation, and the opinions
expressed of their working are too few and meagre to
form any conclusion thereupon.
• Norrs.—The splendid weather which we have had for
more than a week has enabled farmers to clear a-great
breadth of land, principally wheat. the condition and yield
of which are very excellent. The crops generally'are
considered above an average, although there are some
partial failures. The samples of new wheat are very
good. Barley is, on the whole, fair; oats moderate. Dur-
ing the last few days we have heard more of the potato
disease. Turnips are looking beautiful, and this useful
vegetable promises an excellent crop. Another week's
fine weather will see most of the wheat cleared.
SOMERSET.— The late fine weather has been of the ut-
most benefit to the crops, and all harvest operations are
preceedingwith the greatest activity in the corn-growing
districts of this county. The wheat near Taunton is
particulary good, and has been cut and the main por-
tion carried. In the neighbourhood of Bridgewater the
barley is excellent, and the yield is expected to be very
good ; it is mostly cut, and in many cases secured.
Oita and beans are likewise in excellent condition.
There is a much greater breadth of land under potatoes
then last year, and they are in better condition, and, to
alf appearance, have not suffered so much from the blight.
The green crops are generally good, but the present fine
harvest weather is unfavourable to the turnips, which
require rain.
AST LOTHIAN.—During the first four days of las
.week the weather was exceedingly .unsettled, and at
tittles heavy showers occurred, accompanied by cold
blitstering gales. Harvest operations were consequently
ocbasionally suspended. Friday and Saturday, however,
prOved charming days for ripening the later fields, as
w4ll as for cutting down those that were ready ; and, in
the early districts, by the end of the week, a very large
quantity of grain was to be seen irrthe stook; and a small
portion of wheat and barley was likewise carried to the
stockyard. Sunday was decidedly the finest day that
has occurred during the season, the thermometer having
stood at 73 in the shade for several hours. Shearing
became quite general iu the higher parishes on Monday
morning, and the weather continues delightful. Hands,
however, are not so plentiful as last week, on account of
large bands having taken their departure for Berwick.
shire and Northumberland, where wages generally range
higher than in the Lothians. Leading has been going on
briskly yesterday and to-day, and already from 10 to 30
stacks are not uncommon on some early farms along the
line of the North British Railway. There are under.
stood to be upwards of 20 of Bell's reaping-machine;
brought out by Mr. Crosskiil, of Beverley, now at work
in the county. Where the crop is standing and the
surface level the work is admirably performed ; but in
those places where the grain is laid or materially
tWieted, the result is not so satisfactory. The machines,
however, turned out this season are much improved,
as!compared with those formerly used ; the adoption of
the serrated cutters being in every respect preferable to
e4ars. The draught is also much reduced, and the
, working department altogether less liable to get out of
order ; and it may now be held as established that the
reipieg-machine (although not so perfect as could be
desired) will now prove at least a valuable auxiliary on
the generality of farms, more particularly In early sea-
sons, when the crops are less luxuriant than iu the pre-
sera. As was expected, the wheat crop is cutting up
somewhat- -unequally. On the early land around the
margin of the coast, some light fields are to be seen,
which are also indifferently filled ; but on all substantial
land, including the strong clays, there is a fair bulk, and,
what is important, the heads are found to be sound,
large, and heavy; so that a full average crop, if not some-
thing better, is on the whole confidently expected. Bar-
ley is undoubtedly one of the most abundant crops ever
reaped, and is frilly realising the high expectations that
were formed of it when growing. Oats are in the most
of instances a close gifty-looking crop, but not so uni-
formly co as barley, and should the weather remain
favourable the quality is likely to be very superior.
Beans have suffered latterly in the most of the cases from
attacks of insects on the stalks and pods, which is cer-
tain to diminish the quantity as well as the quality of the
produce. If the potato crop is judged by the appearance
of the stems, many fields seem in the most hopelefis con-
dition. Such, however, in the most of cases, is not the
fact, as the roots are as yet almost entirely free of disease,
except in gardens, and partially in the fields, particularly
on soft land near the coast. Should the ensuing month
prove tolerably equable and dry, it is exceedingly probable
that, as happened .last season, it will be found that more
alarm has been felt in the first instance than the ultimate
damage sustained seemed to warrant. The common wage
for shearers this week is understood to be 10s., with vie-
tuals.—Edinburvh. Courant.

FIFESHIRE.—the harvest is now general in this dia•
trict, and great progress has been made during the last
few days in cuttingbdown the various crops, the weather
having been of the most favourable kind. The yield of
the grain crops is spoken of favourably, and we are glad
to learn,that the potato disease is by no means so preva-
lent as was at one time anticipated. Hero and there the
taint has made its appearance, but the great bulk of the
crop is yet in a sound condition.—Fifeshire Journal.

with
duAcesdrnhEevre's;c—aiAiedmrohste ssuiccegeesosffurl
ibouyr.leslqtueishraespbleeteen
wit, humour, and repartee, and is materially aided by
the introduction of the splendid stud of horses which
forms the nucleus of this theatre's attractions.
COMMERCIAL DOCK COMPANY.—At a meeting of the
Commercial Dock Company, held to-day, the directors
were authorised to raise a sum of 100,0001. to complete
new works. The report states that an excess iu the
original estimates has occurred through the directors
being resolved to increase the depth, width, and length
of the entrance lock, and also from the enhanced value of
materials and further purchases of land. The new dock
is expected to be opened for business an
the ensuing
spring, and the earnings of the company continue to
make satisfactory progress.
THE PERUVIAN DEBTS. The Peruvian Charge
d'Affaires has advertised that an augmentation of the
sinking funds of the Peruvian debts, in certain specified
proportion, will be made whenever the bonds of the two
domestic debts, which have lately been attempted to be
put into circulation here, and the circumstances con-
nected
with which have already been fully exposed by
the London press, shall be allowed to be officially quoted
on the Stock-Exchange.
SILK.—The desirable practice of silk et conditioning "
is at length making satisfactory progress in
the last month,
There were 10S bales conditioned dor
13,6601 b.
weighing 90,0;32.1b., against 80 balesweighing
increase of upwards
in the preceding month,
showingenathn last year there were
Loudon.
of 43 per cent. In the same month
only 10 bales, weighing 1,46._/11108.—The new penny
THE NEW Peruir BILL
not rcome into force until the
commence at ld. to 51., 2d.
month. They
andnothing is to be
10th of next
progressively,
to 101., and so
on
pruonder 1001. stamp.
charged for the paper
N THE Easy COAST.—The French
14 CR tf ISEILS 0 .
bill and note stamps will
.'ItIINCLI
cruisers have put an
from Boulogne and other ports pur-
chasing French fishermen
were caught from the Scotch
herrings as they
end to the illegal practice of the
fishermen and .curers,
if they and then entering them for
bounties, as had been taken and cured at sea.
The
Government of.the Netherlands has also had one or
east coast to look after their fishing
two cruisers on the
craft.
f the West Ham giant, William Sharp, were con-
DEATH OF AN ESSEX GIANT.— On Sunday, the re-
mains o
signed to their last resting place. Sharp died last week
of consumption, in the West. Ham Union-house. The
giant, when living, stood 7 feet 6 inches high, and was
only in his 24th year at the time of his demise. He
was a native of Stratford ; his mother, who is still liv-
ing, is a Welsh woman, and below the middle stature.
_Chebasford Chronicle.