The Sun.
London, England, 1854-08-29 00:00:00

AUGUST 29, 1854.

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

THE CROPS IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES.—An excur-
sion this week through the counties of Worcester, Here-
ford, and Gloucester, has afforded the writer opportunities
of gleaning some useful information on the all-absorbing
subject of the crops. Notwithstanding that the weather has
been "catching,"showers and breezes following each other,
the reaping of wheat and barley has progressed with assi-
duity, the rain not having been sufficient to retard the
progress of the reapers. A good deal of autumn-sown
wheat has been cut, and a small proportion garnered in
first-rate condition. Generally speaking, the samples of
wheat this year will be very superior, though, of course,
here and there, where it has been laid by the rains, it
will be deteriorated. The wheat is rather thin upon the
ground, but this compensated forby the unusually heavy
ears, so that with what this and the acknowledged fact '
that an unusually large breadth has been sown,
there cannot fail to be above an average crop of
wheat. Barley is everywhere good and fine, with a
prolific yield ; and, as to the beans, the fly has done'
less mischief than had been anticipated. Peas also are
a very full crop, and turnips and mangolds promise
well. The hop plantations in Herefordshire and
Worcestershire have only partially recovered the
lattacks of the fly, and the crop will undoubtedly
be very light. On some grounds, however. there
will be a fair yield, and the grower will reap the
benefit of high prices. It is thought that hops may reach
:he unusual price of 181. to 201. per owt. The fruit crop
in .Herefordshire is very fair, and this also may be said
of some orchards in Worcestershire, but the " hit" is
very partial ; and there is very little in Gloucestershire,
a severe frost in the spring having occurred just as the
trees were in full bloom. The potatoes show the preva-
lence of the disease in all three of the counties, but not
to the extent that formerly prevailed, and the crops are
heavier than has been observed for many years.—Bir-
mingham Gazette.
GLASGOW.—During the day on Thursday rain fell
almost without intermission, and the weather was of the
most cheerless description. In the evening a sudden
change came. The gloomy clouds which had hung over
the town vanished in a few minutes—the wind fell to a
dead lull—the stars twinkled in a cloudless sky—and we
had one of the most beautiful evenings we have seen
during the whole season. Yesterday the weather was all
that could be desired. The sun shone with almost tro-
pical heat, and the muddy roads, and other disagreeable
accompaniments of the late rain, began rapidly to disap-
pear. There is every prospect of the change being per-
manent, and a few days of such weather will make har-
vest general in our vicinity. Instances of harvest opera-
tions having commenced are already too numerous for
citation. The weather has been showery for the last ten
days to the north as well as to the south of the Tweed. In
the immediate neighbourhood of Aberdeen a good deal
of corn has been cut, but it will be at least ten days ere
harvest be general throughout the country. We regret to
learn that the potato disease is making extended and me-
lancholy progress in Ireland. The tubers, as was to be
anticipated, are now becoming affected ; still the disease
is represented as not by any means general, and hopes
are expressed that a considerable portion of the crop
may be saved. In the Lothians and the central parts of
Scotland, the disease appears to have only madea partial
appearance as yet. From Galloway and Dumfries,
however the accounts represent it as general and severe.
In the north its ravages-have been progressive and ex-
tended during the week, andit has clearly fasteeed on
the tubers of the root.—North British, Mail of Saturday.
The farmers in the neighbourhood of Kilmalcolm are
selling their growing potatoes at from 171. to 201. an
acre. The crop has not as yet suffered from blight.
Other crops are in capital condition. Turnips will be
late but abundant.

MARKET NEWS-(THIS DAY.)

COLONIAL.

SUGAR.—The market is quiet, the quantity offered being
small. The quantity of British Plantation landed last
, week at the East and West India Dooks was 2,476 hhds
479 tierces 992 brls. There were taken for home consump-
tion 1,220 hhds 166 tierces 642 brls. The stock in the
same places is 11,131 hhds 1,890 tierces 3,075 brls.
COFFEIC.—There is not much doing.
Rug.—The quantity landed last week at the East and
West India Docks was 949 puns 151 hhds. There were
taken for home consumption 322 puns 93 hhds, and ex-
ported 78 puns 266 hhds. The stock in the same place is
10,316 puns' 2,492 hhds.
TEA.—This article is dull, as the public sales are an-
nounced for Thursday next.
COTTON.—Previous rates are current, but without much
inquiry.
SALTPETRE.—The market is heavy.
TALLOW.—P.Y.C. is inactive at 66s 6d per cwt on the
spot.