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

THE HARVEST PROSPECTS.

YonKs]arnr. DozwAsTrn, Ag 31 _.From all parts
of Yorkshire we receive the most favourable accounts of
the state of the grain crops, and of the extreme.hfineness
of the weather for harvest operations. Rea
become general in all the three RidingsP,uNheas now
having ripened rapidly within the last few days and, crops if
there is no check with the weather, an immenseP q
tity of corn will be safely housed before the end of-nue ; week. The yield and quality of the grain, more es next
cially of wheat, are highly spoken of on almost evePr
hand, and there can be do doubt the present will provey
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
reaping machines being in operation, and the opinions
expressed of their working are too few and meagre to
form any conclusion thereupon.
NOTTS.—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. Dux,
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
proceeding with 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.
Oats *and beans are likewise in excellent condition.
There is a much greater breadth of land under potatoes
than last year, and they are in better condition, and, to
all 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.

H EAST LoTarasr.---During the first four days of las
week the weather was exceedingly unsettled, and at
times heavy showers occurred, accompanied by oold
blustering gales. Harvest operations were consequently
occasionally suspended. Friday and Saturday, however,
proved charming days for ripeaing the later fields, as
well 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 in the stook ; and a small
portion of wheat and barley was likewise carried to the
stackyard. 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 in 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
Ihigher 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-machines,
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
1 those places where the grain is laid or materially
twisted, 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
shears. The draught is also much reduced, and the
working department altogether less liable to get oat of
order ; and it may now be held as established that the
reaping-machine (although not so perfect as could be
desired) will now prove at least a valuable 'auxiliart on
the generality of farms, more particularly in early sea•
sons, when the crops are less luxuriant than in the pre.
sent. 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 fully 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 to 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
attaches 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 hopeless con-
dition. Such, lid wever, in the most of cases, is not the
yet almost entirely free of disease,
fact, as the roots are as
except in gardens, and partially in the fields, particularly
on soft land near. the coast. Should the ensuing month
ble and dry, it is exceedingly probable
prove tolerably eqti:,.
that, as happened last season, it will be found that snore
alarm has been felt in the ti:st instance than the ultimate
damage sustained seemed to warrant. The common wage
for shearers this week is understood to be 10s., with vic-
tuals.— Ldinburylt. Courant.
FIFESIIIRE.—The harvest is now general in this dis-
trict,. and great progress has been made during the last
few days in cutting down 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. Here and there the
taint has made its appearance, but the great bulk of the
crop is yet is a sound condition.—Ftfeskire Journal.

ASTLET'S.—A most successful burlesque has been pro.
duced here, called The Siege of Troy. It is replete with
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 in the
original estimates has occurred through the directors
being resolved to increase the depth, width, and length
of the entrance luck, and als ) from the enhanced value of
materials and further purchases of land. The new dock
is expected to be opened for business in 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 au augmentation of the
sinking funds of the Peruvian debts, in certain specified
proportion, will be made whenever the bonds of the tae
be
domestic debts, which have lately been attempted t
put into circulation here, and the circumstances
con-
nected with which have already been fully
the London press, shall be allowed to be othcially quoted
on the Stock-Exchange.
SILK.—The desirable practice of silk foc posidbys conditioning"
is at length making satisfactory _r.o
the last month,
bpurgre s in London.
There were 108 bales conditioned_aides _
16
bin
weighing 20,0321 b., against SO increaseweig_
of ul3 p
of 46 per cent. In the ealm, 8571 b. wards
in the preceding month,
showinge an
month lief year there were
,6601 b.
_
only 10 bales, weighing
]ILL Sramrte—The new penny
NEW pima ,
THB
1 bill and note stamps
will
commence at ld. to 51., 2d.
1 10th of next month. Y .
l and nothing is to be
and so Cu progressive Y.,
net come into force until the
to 10/.,
THE EAST COAST.—The French
II CRUISERS ON
FILENC
cliasin-a revd
end to- the illegal practice of the
have put an
cruisers
from Boulogne and other ports per-
French fishermen
paper under 1001. stamp.
al-,,,
curers, and then entering them for
hfoerrrtihnegs as they were caught from the Scotch
fishermen and
bounties, as if they had been taken and cured at sea.
The Government of the Netherlands has also had one or
two cruisers on the east coast to look after their fishing
craft.
DI A,TH OF AN ESSEX GIANT.— On Sunday, the re-
mains et the West Ham giant, William Sharp, ~ ere con-
signed to their last restin.g place. Sharp died I. st w,.,-k
of consumption, in the West Ham Union-house. Thai
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•
ibg, is a. Welsh woman, and below the middle 'stature.
,-Oh&lnt,sford Olmier. _ _