The Sun.
London, England, 1871-01-24 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

The past week, though mild in its character, has been
wet and foggy, as, of course, very detrimental to the con-
dition of newly-thrashed samples of wheat, and equally
unfavourable to all operations in the field. As the past
year, however, gave us a good taste of drought. so those
farms least provided with water will have an opportu-
nity to choose the most eligible places to increase their
stores, and thus become less dependent for the needed
supply, while the meadows capable of irrigation may
have the benefit secured, as hands which can now be
spared will soon be wanted for general purposes.
The damp weather is always found to be against the
corn trade, and our reports have heretofore been dull
and drooping, the lessened value being simply found
in the state of samples : for however dry the gathering,
the humidity of this climate will tell its tale.
Right or wrong, also, it has an immediate effect upon
buyrrs, as though the frost would break up in more
northerly latitudes, but for that we may have some
time to wait. Some country flour has been taken for
France at 465. 6d., but not to the extent of the pre-
vious week, though if the temporary wants of Paris be
only estimated at one peck for each inhabitant, it will be
found equal to 100,000 sacks, or about a five weeks'
supply for London. The wants of Paris, however. only
poorly represent the general need; and should this fear-
ful war be carried to the bitter end, a black cloud of
famine must rest upon the country, and affect prices all
over Europe. England does well to reach out her hand
in charity to a neighbour in distress, but the task would
then be beyond her. In our last we noted a deficiency in
the stock of London as compared with 1869 of 115,575
qrs. wheat. In the general stocks of the kingdom we
find London shares about one-fourth. For 1870 the
entire stock in our principal ports hi wheat and flour
was 1,588,267 qrs., against 2,265,455 qrs. in 1869,
thus shewing a deficiency of 677,188 qrs. as com-
pared with then ; but as 1869 was a deficient year,
the increase of stock was then due to the abundance of
1868. We have now no abundance to consider, and as the
entire stock is only about a thirteenth part of that we
annually consume, which is fully twenty million quarters,
there neither appears in that we have, or that we may ex-
pect, any surplus to provide for extraordinary exigency,
or any probability of low prices before next harvest. In
Germany and America they are firm. Mark Lane Express.

The subject of commutation is now engaging the
serious attention of the clergy of the Disestablished Church.
In the diocese of Limerick three-fourths of them have
agreed to commute. In the eastern division of the diocese
of Meath three-fourths have also agreed, and the other
division will probably follow their example.
A 103 D BIRTHDAY.—Last week Robert Hown-
oon, West Linton, Peeblesshire, was presented with an
address and a purse containing 25 sovereigns, by a number
of friends, on the occasion of his 103 d birthday.

A Cumous INQUIRY.—A young woman, whose
arm had been amputated at St. Thomas's Hospital with-
out her knowledge or consent, applied to the Lambeth
police magistrate to know whether she could proceed
against the operating surgeon for damages. Mr. -nliison
told her that if there was any remedy at all it must be
sought in a civil court.

ADMISSION OF A DEACONESS.—On Saturday Miss
C. hart, after going through her training and probation
in the Diocesan Deaconess Institution, was admitted by
the Bishop of London to the office of deaconess, and ap-
pointed to work in the district parish of St. Gabriel's,
Pimlico. The ceremony of admission took place in the
chapel of Fulham Palace. This is the first instance in
the diocese of the admission of a deaconess, who, though
trained in the Diocesan Institution, does not purpose to
be a member of its community. It is a practical recogni-
tion of the principle that a parochial ,deaconess need not
necessarily be a Sister.

THE FRAUD ON Mn, FRANK MATTHEWS.—RaIph
Tomlinson was brought up on a warrant at Hammersmith
Police-court charged with falsely obtaining a sovereign from
Mr. Frank Matthews. Mr. Charles Willie Matthews
said he was stepson to Mr. Charles Matthews, and resided
at 25, Pelham-crescent, Brompton. Mr. Charles Matthews
was now in Australia. Witness knew the prisoner. He
had been in his service and left on the sth of December
last. In answer to questions, the witness said that he had
not since employed him. He had not expected a parcel,
nor had he authorised the prisoner to go to Mr. Frank
Matthews for money. The magistrate committed him for
trial.

SEAKALE.—In gardens where winter greens have
been seriously thinned by the recent destructive frost, the
value of seakale will be strikingly manifested by its pre-
sence or absence, as the case may be. Those who have
plenty of seakale will scarcely be inconvenienced by the
diminution of their outdoor crops ; those who have but a
small supply, or none at all, will either have to keep their
tables supplied with vegetables by purchasing them at very
high prices, or do without them until the first supplies are
obtained of new crops in the coming season. It is
not needful either to describe or eulogise this valuable
vegetable, but we are bound once more to direct attention
to its admirable suitability in such a season as the present
to serve as a "stopgap " in substitution of broccoli and
other winter vegetables that have been destroyed by frost.
Iu very many gardens where means exist for a plentiful
provision of first-class vegetables during winter and early
spring, seakale is a thing unknown, or is known rather as
a rarity or a curiosity, of which during the season half a
dozen dishes may be secured, instead of a generous abun-
dance, and something to spare for friends and neighbours
who are less fortunately circumstanced as regards conveni-
ences for its production. Seakale may be grown in any
soil that will produce a good cabbage. In common with
most other garden crops, generous culture pays
better than an opposite course of procedure,
but it will not entail upon the cultivation anything like
an extravagant expense to secure a first-rate plantation,
whether required for the forcing-pit or to be cut from in
the open ground. The preparation for the crop consists
in trenching the ground two spits deep, and putting a
good coat of fat manure in the trenches before the next
top spit is moved forward, which places the manure where
the roots will most effectually find it, and brings the
second spit to the top for the plant to make its first
growth in. A shallow soil would grow good seakale with
the aid of a liberal admixture cf manure with the top
crust, and mulchings of fresh stable dung during hot dry
weather in the summer-time ; for the depth to which the
roots can penetrate is of little consequence, provided they
are well fed and protected against the worst effects of
drought. Having grown seakale of the finest
quality in sandy, peaty, and greasy clay soils
by the aid of the most simple variations in the
routine of management, I do
rneogtldied as a ~
hesitate to, that,pseaoyples,
,
although it is not commonly regarded
vegetable, it is only hecause the people will not recognise
its value and importance, and not, by any means, because
of any difficulty that in any part of thpay realms should
be allowed. to stand in t - ay obitsmost.iiiiccessful
onitir - t.
. BQ, ..5..-a._--Eitrs'Fi ()CV ; - O-A.—GRATEFUL AND Con-
icarrlN , 'MC very agreeable character of this preparation has
tpndere -,4 a general favourite. The Civil Service Gazette re-
mark4;—‘,.4-By a thorough knowledge of the natural laws which
govern, gip operations of digestion and nutrition, and by a
eafeful apPlication of the fine properties of well-selected cocoa,
Igr: Epps has provided our breakfast tables with a delicately
fiaiioured Beverage' which may save us many heavy doctors'
bills." Each packet is labelled—JAMES EPPS & CO. iiiiiliceo-
pathic Chemists, London. Also, makers of Epps's Clitatiine, a
very thin evening beverage.—Advt.