The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-14 00:00:00

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.

AT HOME.
Another week of unexampled dryness has been added
to the period of the long-continued drought, and has
rendered the aspect of affairs somewhat critical, espe-
cially as regards all descriptions of Spring corn. The
condition of the wheat plant, however, with the excep-
tion of its being very backward for the time of year, is
not such as to cause alarm as to its ultimate safety ; in
fact, appearances are not adverse to the realisation of. a
good crop. On light lands there is a general complaint
of a want of moisture ; but on heavy soils and in low-
lying districts the plant is not unfavourably spoken of.
Such, however, is not the case with either barley or
oats, both of which will turn out badly, unless some
heavy soaking rains fall in all parts of the country-
Beans and peas, also, will doubtless yield a very miser-
able return to the farmer. As regards hay, the crop may
be regarded as one of the lightest on record. The supply
of grass is limited in the extreme, and, in many places,
it will barely pay for the labour of cutting. But clover
will probably yield a fair return. Potatos look well in
all districts, and are almost entirely free from all wap-
toms of disease. In respect to the root crops, the issue ,
is rather uncertain, inasmuch as, although got in in fine
order, they are still liable to attacks from the pestilential
' fly in the absence of rain.—The Magnet.
The prolonged drought is causing much anxiety in the
neighbourhood of Stamford. There has been scarcely any
rain for nearly three months. Wheat at present looks
pretty well, but both barley' and oats must prove light
crops. There also great complaints in the district round
Kettering, in North Northamptonshire. At Thrapston,
in the same county, the grass has a stunted and dried-up
appearance, although the wheats are still looking tole-
rably well
The crops in Meath and Westmeath are progressing
favourably, the only want being a down pour of rain,
which is much needed. The wheat, barley, oats, &c.,
have exhibited a forward appearance. Potatoes' planted
in February have long since received their second cover-
ing, and have exhibited up to this a fine prospect. We
expect to see early potatoes in market at the end of this
month. The pastures and meadows are luxuriant. The
turnips have been sown, and the farmers cannot complain
that they had not fine weather for that purpose.—Corres-
pondent Freeman's Journal.
The Sligo Independent of Saturday says :—We have had
during the week a turn of real summer, and, we might
say, real wintry weather. Up to Tuesday the heat was
oppressive, but Thursday and yesterday were as cold as
two March days. The crops look remarkably well. New
potatoes are begun to be sold in our market. The hay
crop promises to be a most luxuriant one. The oat and
wheat crop look well, and fruit of all kinds promises to be
plentiful.
•

ABROAD.
The Pays has the following observations :—“ls the
situation of the harvest as much compromised as public
rumour would lead one to suppose ? We answer, No !
Certain crops have suffered, and do so still, such as grass,
colza, rye, and oats, but as a whole the year is not likely
to be what is called a bad one. The hay has failed for
want of water, and the meadows will only furnish one-
half the usual quantity. On that point there will be a
deficiency, and graziers will experience great difficulty
in feeding their cattle during the ensuing winter. Lut,
for the grains above-mentioned, as well as barley, all is
not over, and a little wet would quickly repair the damage.
As to wheat the yield is in no wise compromised. The in-
ferior lands may suffer, but the good, and even the
middling, are in a satisfactory state. Some rain would un-
doubtedly be most desirable. but the north wind which is
blowing at this moment ought to give to the formation
of the ear taking place a sufficient fecundation. How-
ever, we shall be told, corn is going up in all the markets;
flour is on the rise ; the demands are large, and the stocks
not large. The reason of this advance in prices is not ab,
solutely due to this season, but rather to other causes,
Agriculturists have taken full advantage of the Treaties
of Commerce. Since 1860, the profit on its ex-
portations may be set down at some hundreds of
million annually, And as during several years the
harvests have been abundant, it has sent out of the
country more than perhaps it ought to have done.
At the same time, importation, less active, has not re-
established the equilibrium. Commerce has slackened
the latter, while agriculture has exaggerated the former,and it is from that cause that the present deficiency in
stocks has arisen. That insufficiency—which caused no
uneasiness so long as all anxiety was absent as to the
year's yield—excites attention at this moment when a
doubt exists on that pOint. True or false, those disquie-
tudes cause the rise in the price of a commodity, the
stock of which is not equal to the demand."
A correspondent in Paris writes :—The price of the 41b.
loaf in Paris was augmented on Friday from 80c. to 85c.
This is not yet very distressing, because not many years
since we saw bread at 1 franc? beyond which the Emperor
would not then allow it to go. The symptom is, however,
ominous, more especially as the drought COntlnues, and
every hour is now of importance. In the morning a very
few drops of rain fell, but no benignant showers came
down. An extraordinary rise has taken place in the price
of oats, which jumped up suddenly at the Halles from 14
francs to 20 francs the hectolitre. I hear that the French
Government, by way of precaution, has made contracts
for large purchases of foreign corn.
• The Messager de Provence says :—" The country around
Cogolin is again infected by swarms of black grasshoppers,
which are devouring the crops, and whose invasion is
attributed to the continued drought which prevails this
year,

~ -- -
PORTRAITS OF CHARLES Dip4pNp.—On Friday
Mr. Woolner and Mr. Millais went down.to Gp,' dshill, at
the request of Mr. Dickens's family, in order to make the
necessary arrangements for reproducing a worthy likeness
of the great novelist. In the meantime the London
Stereoscopic Company, Cheapside, are issuing the last
and finest photograph they have published of the de-
cedsa— It is in the form of a carte de visite, and is an
excellent likehag.
MURPHY AT GnEENTwren.7-lifurphy, the Pro-
testant lecturer, has again engaged the Lecture Hall, at
Greenwich, for the purpose of delivering his harangues '
against Roman Catholicism. The trustees have conceded
him the occupation for seven nights, commencing this
week, in consideration of his foregoing. any_ claim for
colnpensation, he and his friends promising ale. to make
g00d447 aagtpge th'at may be done. Murphy does not
on this occasion ledthse fnj .plie' EVangelical 'Union. A
considerable degree of excitement is 'being' evincain the
locality. The police force has been strengthened in order
to prevent disturbance or riot.
A. PARLIAMENT IN IRELAND.—The Dublin cones-
dent of the Times says the movement in favour of a
federal Pp,Tliament for Ireland is proceeding quietly, but
earnestly. On 'PhurOay evening a meeting was held, at
which the Rev. Professor Galbraith, F.T.C.D., presided,.
and speeches were delivered by persons repre-
senting different . political sections. The Con-
servative and " National" elements were in
greatest forge, but there was a sprinkling of
the old Repealers, who attended to watch the
course of this movement, but they have not as yet identi-
fied themselves withit. Some of the speakers attempted
to advo4e.te an extreme policy, but they were silenced by
the meeting, and. ii} dne dr two instances left. in disap-
pointment. Another meeLing will be held on Thursday
evening next, 'anil no efforts will be spared to make the
aggat!en real and urgent. The Word " repeal" is for
the present At Least rephdiated", lest it should' frighten
the timid, and the I,roaro4,l*e is strictly linaited to "an
Irish Parliament for local purposes, is well' as Iraperial
representation.
•