The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-13 00:00:00

THE HARVEST.

We are happy to state that the weather, since last
week, has been all that could be wished for agricultural
purposes, and farmers, with the most praiseworthy ex-
ertions, are busily engaged cutting their crops, and
housing such as is considered fit for leading. Corn in
this neighbourhood is in excellent condition; and, if the
present weather holds, our harvest operations will soon
be brought to a close. Tho crops generally are not
heavy, but the quality is highly satisfactory. Potatoes
are, in many places, a sad failure; but with a continua-
tion of the present fine, warm, dry weather, it is confi-
dently hoped that the blight may not prove so disastrous
as was imagined.—Hull Advertiser.
Fortunately for the country the unfavourable weather
which we alluded to as having retarded the harvest in
the beginning of last week, cleared up on Friday, since
which day it has been as favourable as could be wished.
The consequence is, that a large quantity of grain has
been cut, and a fair portion carted in excellent condi-
tion.—Carlisle Journal.

Since last week harvest operations
have made considerable advances. The corn in this
neighbourhood is, generally speaking, ready for
the sickle, and considerable progress has been
made in housing, or stacking that previously
cut. Last week, with the exceptio❑ of Tuesday, which
was partially wet, has been one uninterrupted week of
splendid sunshine, and has materially assisted, not only
in bringing to maturity, but in improving the quality of
the yield, so that those persons who profess to be prac-
tically acquainted with the subject, give it as their opi-
nion that the product in this locality will be what is
termed a full average. The continuance of favourable
weather will also have a very beneficial influence in
ripening a large breadth of oats now growing in some
of the higher districts of Craven. With the exception
of small patches of after-grass, the hay harvest, even in
the most elevated situations in this locality, is now
completed, and will be found an average yield.—Leeds
Mercury.

The prospect of the harvest farther north are most
cheering. In Bedlingtonshire, and along the whole east
coast of Northumberland, from the Tyne to the Coquet,
hardly a rig of wheat remains uncut. Oats are, in
many places, backward, but the
present fine weather
will bring them fast forward. Turnips promise fairly;
and potatoes are pretty certain to turn out a great
deal better than was feared. Generally speaking, in
that part of the country there is likely to be a fair
average yield of food, both for man and beast. The
roads swarm with Irish, the supply of whom far exceeds
the demand, and the great bulk of them appear to
have come too late. Last Sunday afternoon not less
than three or four thousand attended the harvest hiring
at Morpeth, most of whom failed in securing employ.
ment. In our own immediate neighbourhood the wheat
crops almost everywhere are off the ground. Various
opinions prevail as to the probable yield; but there need
be little doubt that, on the whole, the harvest will be
fully an average one, so far as this country side goes.
A very few days more of fine weather will suffice to win
all the wheat on this side the border. Shearers' wages
are just about one-half of what they were last year.—
Newcmitle Guardian.

CARDIGAN.—The recent fine weather has quite en-
livened the farmers in this neighbourhood, and the corn
of every description is being rapidly got in. A portion
of the various crops has been already secured.—Car-
narvon Herald.

CARNARVON.—The weather in this part of the Princi-
pality has of late been very fine, affording the farmers a
good opportunity of securing their crops, and the yields
of a heat, barley, and oats, in thisneighbourhood at least,
have been plentiful.—Carnarvon Herald.
The glorious weather of the last fortnight has put a
new complexion on the prospects of the coming winter.
In Kent generally very little corn is now out, and if the
weather hold up for a few days more the fields will be
entirely cleared. The accounts of the potato crop are
various, and in some sort gloomy; but we believe the
disease is not so wide-spread as was at one time antici-
pated.—Dover Chronicle.
TICEHURST. —We aresorry to say that the wheats have
been considerably injured in this locality by the heavy rains
and uncommonly damp state of the atmosphere. Where
little or no attention was paid to the shocks, the corn
sprouted, became quite green, and the sheaves were literally
matted together; much of it was stacked in a very damp
condition. Since the fine weather has set in, harvest
operations have been actively performed, and it is to be
hoped the produce of the northern districts of the king-
dom will be secured in a much better state than ours
has been. The hops have been battered about by the
stormy winds, and will, according . to the present ap-
pearances, be small. The glorious weather we have had
lately should elicit the warmest gratitude to the Author
of all good. The potato disease is general with us, and
we fear but very few sound ones will be obtained.—
Dover Chronicle.
Another week of fine seasonable weather, with the
exception of Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon, has
enabled the farmers throughout the county to clear the
corn-fields of nearly all the wheat, in excellent condi-
tion. In the colder districts the season has, on the whole,
been by no means unfavourable; and the same remark
applies to the later sown crop in the more genial dis-
tricts. The chief mischief has occurred in the open and
usually early parts of the county. The week has been
a busy one all along the western border of the county,
and in the adjoining valleys of Radnorshire, Brecon,
and Monmouthshire. The cutting of wheat, oats,
and barley, and the making of hay, have in many cases
gone on this week simultaneously. The potato failure
is, unfortunately, quite as extensive as we had previously
understood. The Sall 11 of the fields its many parts is
quite offensive to the passenger along the roads. Every-
. here we learn that plots of this tuber, which were per-
fectly sound and of excellent quality up to the last few
weeks, have begun to decay. Many persons anticipate
that the effect will ultimately be to render the potato
only available in future as an early vegetable. The
weather has produced its natural effect upon that fickle
plant, the hop. The bine has made great advances, and
the condition of the burr is quite as favourable as could
have been hoped for, considering the state of the season.
The duty
is estimated at 17,0001. or 18,0001. for the
district; and indeed some persons are sanguine enough
to talk of 20.0001., the sum named before the cold tem-
pestuous weather of the latter weeks of August; but
we have not heard of anything being done at such an
estimate. Should this weather continue, however, such
un advance will be by no means unlikely. n
i
____ many parts
of the county the growers have engaged their pickers,
and will commence on Monday; in some places they
have already begun.—Hereford Times.
A SHBURTON.—The weather has been exceedingly fa-
vourable for the closing of the corn harvest, which, with
the exception of a few fields that were sown late, and not
as yet fit for the sickle, has terminated.— Western Times.
CREDITON.—NearIy all the barley has been saved in
this neighbourhood in capital condition.— Western Times.
NEWLY N, WEDNESDAY.—The favourable change of
weather within the last few days has acted beneficially
upon the corn crops, and caused a stirring among the
whole body of yeomanry. The harvest is now on all
sides proceeding in a very satisfactory manner. We
hope, however, that the rain which has fallen during the
past night will neither cause any serious damage, nor be
of any long duration.—Cornwall Royal Gazette.
W ADEBRIDGE —The recent glorious weather _
caused the greatest activity in this neighbourhood, so
e
has
that the greater part, indeed, nearly the whole of the
corn, is now safely housed, and in much better condition
than was expected.—Cornwall Royal Gczetle.
The harvest in the neighbourhood of Risca, Abercarn,
Mynyddyslwyn, Newbridge, Bedwellty, Gellygaer,bB4C;;
is progressing steadily. A great deal of corn has been
secured in good condition, although there is still a con-
siderable quantity in shock, and some uncut, but not in-
jured. There is also a quantity of hay here and there,
many of the farmers being obliged to turn their attention
exclusively to the corn harvest.—Monmouthshire Merlin.
The weather for the last four or five days has been all
that could be wished for. The warmth and the sunshine
have egain visited us, and gladdened every heart. A
few fields in this neighbourhood, belonging to Mr.
Jame, skinner, &c., we perceive, have yielded a second
crop of hay. The harvest has proceeded with all the
possible rapidity which the condition of the crops per-
mitted. The accounts from every quarter are of a cheer-
ing character.—Cambrian.
I)ARLINCTON.—We are, happily, again able to report
a week of progress in the harvest field ; for, though
visited during that period with occasional rains, no
lengthy or serious detention to operations has even re-
sulted. Though the sickle has been busily employed,
the wheat stooks have, from prudential motives, so soon
us dry, quickly disappeared, and in many instances the
bare stubble appears, while the adjoining crop is
not yet sheared. Spring wheat and crops on
late land need, however, a continuance of sun, otherwise
they will severely detract both in quality and quantity.
Instances of the potato disease are being more generally
favouredT e bul bulk
by of
reported, though such are found to be confined very
locally, and nut even then, to be so devastating as before.
:owingmostly good, and those
the season,
vigorous and plentiful.— Yorkshireman.
DRIFTIELD.—The uninterrupted continuance of the
vigilantgreen sep
cropsv isiison reglorious weather of the last ten days has enabled farmers
era
on the Yorkshire Wolds to secure a great breadth of the
wheat crop in very fine condition, and, happily, the fears
which filled every breast a fortnight ago, as to the result
of the harvest, have been dispelled. In this important
district scarcely any sprouted corn exists, except in a
few instances where seeds had been sown with the crops,
and the sun and rain could not penetrate. The wheat,
crops being rather light in the straw, corn was not laid,
and was thus prevented being injured by the continued
wet weather. At Driffield market on the 31st ultimo,
the effects of this glorious change were sensibly felt in
the turn of the previous upward tendency of prices ; and
the fall of 6s. per quarter at the principal markets has
to the gloomy prospects of approaching
given winter a
cheering and different aspect. On Monday the wind
veered round from north to south, and the day
was very sultry; on Tuesday night there was a rather
heavy fall of rain for several hours, but on Wednesday
the weather was again fine with a drying breeze. Should
the weather continue fine during the week, the whole of
the wheat in the neighbourhood of Driffield is expected
to be housed.— Yorkshireman.
SNAlTlL—Althi.ugh we have bad occasional showers
we have had more than a week of fine sunny wea-
ther, accompanied with a brisk wind, which has con-
tributed materially to the dryin of the corn, and
getting in the crops in good condition. The com-
plaint in this district, however, is general that the
crop will be far short of an average. Our only
anchor of hope is that the splendid weather of the last
week may check the potato disease, which is exceedingly
prevalent among the early varieties on the low sand land.
The late crops, however, are looking remarkably well,
and with the prospect of a plentiful supply of turnips,
we trust the fear of any great scarcity is without founda-
tion.— Yorkshirtman.•
BARNSLEY. —Harvest operations continue to proceed
rapidly in this neighbourhood. We have had above a
week of fine weather, in which a great quantity of
wheat has been secured in good condition, should the

weather still continue favourable, a few more sunny
days will see most of the precious grain safely
gathered in. The potato disease seems generally
prevalent in a greater or less degree ; but as there
has been a greater quantity planted this year than thelast, we hope, after all, that scarcity and dearness will
not be experienced to that extent which is anticipated
by the fearful and complaining.—Hull Advertiser.
PoTAToEs.—Some of cur potato growers have com-
menced taking up their crops, though the larger growers
generally defer it until the close of the harvest. The disease
appears to be general and most parties are anxious to
have them up and sorted. The produce in the field is
not so much tainted as the earlier sorts in the garden,
where from one-fourth to one-third are unfit for use.
No apprehension is felt in this district of any scarcity;
the produce is so abundant, and the breadth of land
planted of a greater extent than on any previous year.—
Yorkshirchan.

In the neighbourhood of Kelso harvest work is now
far advanced. The greater part of the grain has yielded
to the sickle, and a portion of it is already in the stack-
yard. Labour, from the commencement of harvest, has
been abundant, and farmers have thus been enabled to
avail themselves of every favourable hour fur shearing or
leading. At the Dunse market, for engaging shearers
for the week, there was a great attendance of Irish
reapers, but few farmers to hire them—wages with 'vic-
tuals, from 9s. to 10s. per week. The operation of shear-
ing will be nearly over by the end of the week; and if
this dry and favourable weather continues a large por-
tion will be stocked and secured in the barn-yard.—
Kelso Mail.

WINCHESTER.—The weather, during the past week,
has been highly favourable to harvest operations; most
of the wheat and a large portion of the barley is now se-
curely housed. The potato disease still progresses; in
digging, a very large portion of the tubers are found to
be entirely decayed.—Hampshire Independent.

ANDoVER.—Here everything depends on the success-
ful operations of apiculture; and the very long unset-
tled state of the atmosphere has prevented the labourer
from following his out-door work with advantage to
himself or his employer. The frequent showers have
precluded the possibility of turnip-hoeing, and we never
saw so many acres of this plant not hoed out as is to be
observed this season. The hay season and harvest were
equally unfavourable for labour. The labourers, con-
sequently,
accustomed to these occupations, have been
unable to work their full time, and lay by that portion
of money which they look forward to at this period to
pay their house rent, firing, and lay in their little stock
of clothes.—Hampshire Independent.
RUGIIY.—The very favourable weather that has conti-
nued, with the exception of a slight interruption on
Thursday, during the last ten days, has caused quite a
clearance to be made iu this neighbourhood, and it affords
us considerable satisfaction to find that the wheat pre-
sents every appearance of being an average crop, both
as regards quantity and quality. With respect to barley
and oats, from the late period of the year at which they
beingwere
last sowed, they
instead h aevf ec n r
shta nge t h
isd
season,places with h
and
tthee wheat,
proba-
bility is that neither the yield nor the quality will be so
good as last year's produce.—Coventry Herald.
LEICESTER6HIRE.—The favourable change of weather
has materially improved the harvest prospects. Since
the commencement of the present month a great quan-
tity of corn has been got in under the most favourable
circumstances, and the quality of the grain is less injured
from the long wet weather than could have been expected.
Some corn in the early harvest was carried in a very
damp state, and will be long ere it is fit for use, and of
second rate quality. We are happy to be able to state
that no injury has been sustained which will render the
wheaten flour unsound, therefore we shall have bread of
good quality. Notwithstanding all the forebodings of a
scanty produce, we indulge the hope that it will not be
materially below an average, yet, certainly less than last
year. The great bulk of white corn in this vicinity is
secured, and if the present fine weather continues a short
time longer, the late barley crop will be well got in, and
the harvest concluded. We regret that no improvement
is visible in the potato crops, and they are decidedly more
affected with the disease in this neighbourhood than last
year.—Lincoln Mercury.

GREAT VIADUCT ACROSS THE
DEE, IN THE VALE OF LLANGOLLEN.
While the speed to be attained by mechanical inge-
nuity is being intensely considered, the architecture of
our railways is not forgotten, and we feel pleased to have
it in our power to notice one of the most daring and stu-
peivnednourissee.fforNtvseorf
esfkeirllteantdheargtretont wvihaidcuhetthneerw in
railway
of completion across the valley of the Dec, in
the vale of Llangollen, the dimensions of which
surpass anything of the kind in the world. While
the tubular bridges across the Menai Straits and Con-
way River are, from their novelty, attracting much
yo
has
given as
es u
attention, the undertaking referred to has proceeded
nearly to completion without any considerable notice
being taken of it. Its vastness of proportions may •
be better conceived when it is stated that in magni-
tude it far exceeds what is considered the greatest
effort of human skill in connexion with railway com-
munication—the Stockport viaduct. The Dee via-
duct (for this is the term given to the one at Llan-
gollen) is upwards of 150 feet above the level of the river
—being 30 feet higher than the Stockport viaduct, and
34 feet higher than the Menai bridge. It is supported
by 19 arches of 90 feet span, and its length is upwards
of 1,530 ieet, or nearly one-third of a mile. The out-
s line of the structure is perhaps one of the handsomest
that could have bean conceived, both as regards its
chaste style and attractive finish, and its general ap-
pearance is considerably enhanced by the roundness of
the arches, which are enriched by massive coins, and
the curvilinear batter of the piers; this style of archi-
tecture imparts a grace and beauty to the structure
without impairing its strength. The greatest attention
seems to have been paid to the abutments—the only
part of the erection, in reality, where any decora-
tive display could bo made. In the middle of both,
on each side, there are beautifully executed niches
in the Corinthian order, in addition to some highly-
finisht,cl masonry. The piers are neatly wrought
at the angles, and at the base of nearly each there
is a bedding of upwards of 460 square feet of masonry.
With the exce.ption of the entradoes of the arcbes,which
ast h e
durable,whole structure
equal
in
is
sre builtcomposed
notfi 11 l
suteosnoer t
ifo f
nber brick,t
richness and brilliancy to Darlydale. The viaduct has
an inclination from end to end of ten feet, and connects
that part of the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway be-
tween Rhos-y-Medre and Chirk.
Viewed from beneath, the vast structure presents a
noble and truly grand appearance, and its bold pro-
portions with its height cannot fail to call forth ad-
miration from the most indifferent beholder. While
the view below develops what art can accomplish, that
from the summit surpasses in richness and luxuriance
of the picturesque any landscape in the kingdom.
Situated in the middle of the far-famed Vale of Llan-
gollen, there is all that nature and art can bestow to
make the view charming and beautiful. On one side
are bold and swelling hills, on the other a plain teeming
with luxuriance far and wide. Within view are Castell
Dinas Bran, or, as it is commonly called, "Crow
Castle," which is situate on the crown of a conical hill;
the glaciated rocks, Winnstay, and Pont-y-Cyssyllte,
or the Dee Aquaduct. This last structure, which con-
veys the Ellesmere Canal, is within a short distance
from the viaduct, and from its beauty and extent im-
parts additional interest to the locality.
The viaduct has been erected by Messrs. Makin, Mac-
kenzie, and Brassy, contractors, at a cost of upwards of
worthy
during
remark
that
l awt huopl e
100,000/., being upwards of 30,000/. more than the Stock-
port viaduct. The ccst of the timber required to form
scaffolding, &e., for its erection was 15,0001., and be-
tween three hundred and four hundra d masons alone were
employedrtny
t ot iSmaet uorfdcaoyn
laststru cntin eeione.ldtenist
of consequence occurred to any of the persons employed
in erection, but on that day, we regret to say, one of the
workmen was killed on the spot by a portion of the
scaffolding falling upon him. Within a few miles dis-
tance there is another viaduct in course of building across
the valley of Ceiriog. This structure will be upwards of
120 feet high, and will have ten arches of 45 feet span,
and one of 120 feet. The entire length will be at least
850 feet, and will have cost, when completed, a large
sum of money.—Liverpool Mercury.

We understand Madame Dulcken, accompanied by
the inimitable John Parry, Madame D'Okolski, and
Miss Eliza Nelson, purpose leaving town Sbortly, to
fulfil engagements at Exeter and its neighbourhood.
TuE EXCISE DUTY ON Hors,—A meeting of hop
growers was held at the George Inn, Hurst-green, on
Thursday last, to memorialise the Lords of the Treasury
for the repeal of the Excise duty on hops. G. C. Cour-
thorpe, Esq , took the chair, and there were present—
Major Curteis, Messrs. Tilden Smith, Vinehall, Dawes
(Rye), Neve (Benenden), Fagg (Cranbrook), J. and T.
Hilda., &c. Resolutions in accordance with the object
of the meeting were unanimously carried, and a deputa-
tion appointed to present the same. A short time since
Mr. T. L. Hodges, M.P., Mr. Edward Barrett Curteis,
and Air. Pomfret had an interview with Lord John
Russell, on whom they urged the memorial of a large
number of hop-growers in the Wealds of Kent and
Sussex. His Lordship most decidedly refused to post-
pone the half-year's duty payable in November ; and on
the subject of the rt peal of the duties said, "it was im-
possible for him at present to make any promises, but
he thought it would be right for memorials to be sent
to the Lords of the Treasury, stating the position in
which the hop•growers were placed by the duties, and
which memorials should have serious attention." Ale-
morials on the subject are now in operation.—Maidstone
Gazette. _

ST. SAVIOUR'S, SOUTIIWARK.—Yesterday, a meet-
ing of the parishioners of St. Saviour's, Southwark, was
held in reference to the defective state of the sewers in
that district—Mr. Thus. Bailey in the chair. After a
lengthened conversation, in which complaints against
deodorisers vied with descriptions of the highly infec-
tious and dangerous character of the noxious' gases
evolved from the ill-constructed and imperfectly cleansed
sewers, on the motion of Mr. Watson the following re-
solution was agreed to:—" That the immediate atten-
tion of the Sewers Commissioners be called to the nui-
sance arising from the gullies and sewers, whereby the
inhabitants living in many parts of the parish are de-
prived of the beneficial occupation of their premises and
the advantage of a thoroughfare in the street is sus-
pended, and that they be requested to take such steps
as will remedy the evil complained of." A vote of
thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.
EXTRAORDINARY TROUT.—A trout of very large
dimensions, and in most excellent condition, was caught
by Mr. Edwards, jun., of the Uxbridge Arms Hotel, on
Monday last, in the celebrated lake of Quellyn. The
fish measured two feet five inches from tip to tip, and
was fifteen in girth. Its weight we estimated at twelve
pounds. Larger specimens of trout have, we believe,
been occasionally caught, but fish of this magnitude are
by no MOMS Common as far as trout are coucernetl.
Carnarvon Herald.