The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-04 00:00:00

SHIRE.

It is gratifying to stay, that the weather has at last
become auspicious for the growing crops. Vegetation,
from the peculiar nature of spring, was considerably re-
tarded ; the later sown seed found cold and ungiglial
soils generally throughout the west country, and, conse-
quently, no great hopes were inspired for much progress
of growth. Thursday may be noted the precursor of
summer. The thermometer stood high in the shade,
and potent heat breathed favourably on every vegetable
thing. Friday was most auspicious ; but Saturday
broke in lowering and gloomy—the atmosphere was
charged with electricity, and thunder was heard at in-
tervals among the hills. Slight showers fell in course of
the afternoon—most welcome on light soils fur the young
plants.

- The wheat crop on good soils, in this district, presents
ft most praion% appearance, having made considerable
progress within the last few days. Genial sunshine by
day, and dew by night, have hud a most beneficial effect
on the oat and barley crops, which are very luxuriant on
the lighter soils.
The hay crop promises to be abundant. This, in itself,
ifimportant, and shows the fruit ulness of the season.
Potatoes, we rejoice to communicate, are everywhere
doing well. The plant is vigorous and healthy ; aro
the utmost regularity is perceptible in those fie'd, in the
neighbourhood of At r. our corresp'mdents speak cheer
fully of the progress of this vulu 'hie esculent, and cite no
instances of it deficiency in their respective districts o'
the county.—. 4 yr ()6cen'er.

A NOVEL Gatniaos.—A shot time sincP, the
labourers in the district of Ardagh, not being altogether
satisfied with the manner of the authorities in providing
them food, resorted to a most ingenious and prompt method
°leer
_xling,,the attention of the rich to their wants. Having
an ass'tnnt, kaishd. with fuel from the nearest bog, they yoked
Of fine weddersti, having a-cidentall:y stumbled across a fl,,ek
Jib: Kellett, of about a hundred in number, belongint; to
(hiving them
awayt, aay-hill, they very leisurely commenced
that they would taket
,the liberty time
politely informing him
°this nice ir.,e
gate,s
in
liberty of having the loan of one
serve the purpose of a gridirons.
The bars being crosse4 ion
.91:-:eatres, it would hare answered
k3eautifully, and, no doubt
mutton and turn'
faw:::utldtrhehqe fi Gene contrivedvttg,i:tn,gbit,r;diellinar(ilose.eottfhavpane4:lutptliae
it:dainty dish,
II:8111i 4dAe ithiermw
such was the impression the gridion let --
intentions; but
have now a capital soup kitchen, where they
Dot roast, ht least once a day.—Armagh Guardi4 boiled, if
A LONG RACE.--A mare of the hackney breed,
belonging to Mr. Baxter, of Dalston, ventured, on Friday
heavy
coal
night last, to try her speed against a railway engine on the
Alaryport and Carlisle Railway,
selecting for that
"Sir Wilfrid," which was laden with a rather purpose thal
hav -
train. Having scaled the fence which separates the paddock
in which she had been grazing from the railway, as soon as
the engine came in view she started, and dashed forward in
the true Yankee " go a-head " style,
occasionally exhibiting
a little playfulness, as if in contempt for her rival's power of
locomotion. She made no attempt to leave the line at the
Curthwaite or the Wigton station, or even at
Aspat ria,
wbeie the" Sir Wilfrid" required the refreshment of a little
water, and where she had a good opportunity of leaving the
kw by turning into the station-yard; but, as if determined
to prove to the most incredulous the superiority of a
Dation mare to a locomotive of the Maryport and Car-
ia° Company, she started again in gallant style and ar-
'lied at Maryport very little
,the worse by her exertions,
sod beating the " Sir Wilfrid '' by " many lengths."—.Car-
aslePatriot.