The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-10 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL P.ROASPLOTS.

The Magnet says that the recurrence of unsettled
weather just as farmers had made a commencement of har-
vest operations has caused some alarm to prevail in the
agricultural districts, and apprehensions are enter-
tained as to the ultimate safety of the crops. In some
parts of Essex, Kent, and Middlesex, where the rain
has been most general, and where cutting has been
already begun, the sheaves have become too saturated
with moisture to allow of their being carried and
stacked, consequently, with but few exceptions, they
have been left standing, farmers preferring to
wait awhile until harvest work may be completed under
more favourable auspices. A fortnight or three weeks of
dry settled weather is now urgently needed to enable
the crops to be secured in good condition, it being very
evident that a wet harvest would further deteriorate
the quality of the produce. It is now generally
admitted that the wheat crop will fall short of the
average of seasons ; in fact, when we consider the nume-
rous vicissitudes through which the plant has passed—
vicissitudes to which from the variable nature of our
climate, it is peculiarly liable—we affirm that to expect
more than an average, or indeed an average yield,
would be trusting too much to the productive capabilities
of the wheat plant. The quality also, according to
recent accounts, is likely to prove somewhat in-
ferior, owing to extensive root falling or stem
rotting, thereby impeding circulation and preventing the
mature development of the kernels. The barley crop is likely
to yield very unevenly, but it is expected that the yield
will be quite an average. Oats look very promising, the
crop being described as the best of the season. The
recent rains have considerably improved the appearance
of this crop, which had previously suffered from want of
moisture. Beans and peas are turning out tolerably
well, notwithstanding the damage sustained by insects,
The turnip and other root crops will doubtless yield re-
markably well, and be fully an average. As regards
potatoes, the symptoms of disease lately apparent in
the West of England have disappeared, and prospects are
very satisfactory. The pastures and meadow lands,
also, have undergone a decided improvement, and a fair
second crop is likely to supplement the first heavy yield
of hay.
Wheat advanced 2s. to 3s. per quarter on Monday.

The Nottingham and Taunton election petitions
were on Monday before Mr Baron Bramwell (applications
as to costs), but nothing appears to have been done worth
notice.

The trial of the Mold rioters continued on Satur-
day. The evidence did not disclose much beyond what is
already known about the riots. The case for the prosecu-
tion was closed, and the defence was opened this morning.
Henry Jackson was tried on Saturday at the
Manchester Asizes for what is known as "the Tyldesley
forgery." He pleaded guilty, and his connsei addressed the
court in extenuation of the offence. sentence was deferred.

The question of the new Law Courts, we are
warned, is not to be regarded as settled by the report of the
select committee. The battle of the sites is not yet over.
Mr. Lowe, it is stated (on what authority we know not), has
determined not to regard himself as defeated.
Archaeologists were recently startled by the news
of a discovery in the heart of the city of London. It was
stated that a Roman skeleton had been found with lamp end
all the accessories complete. It is now announced that this
skeleton is "as great a sham as was the Cock-lane ghost."
The various chief clerks at the Chancery Chambers
ended the sittings on Monday, and the Chancery "long vaca-
tion" commenced. Vice-Chancellor James is the vacation
judge, and his chamber will be opened on certain days Irons
eleven to one o'clock.

On Saturday night, the millwright's and wheels
wright's shops connected with Messrs. R. Ainsworth and
Sons, bleach works, lialliwell, near Bolton, were completely
destroyed by fire. The damage is roughly estimated at
between £B,OOO and £lO,OOO, which is covered by insurance.
Messrs. Ainsworth's bleach works are considered to be the
most extensive in Lancashire.

A correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette writes :
" A vicar who resides near London, and whose name has
been prominently before the public in connection with his
refusal to send up a young lady for confirmation who would
not pledge herself to give up dancing, recently went out for
his summer tour, and let his vicarage to a family of Jews.
On the last fine Sunday a croquet party was held at the
vicar's house, and although those who enjoyed the pastime
had probably no conscientious scruples, yet the click of the
balls caused no small annoyance to some of the reverend
gentleman's flock.

Another ecclesiastical prosecution has just com-
menced. Dr. Middleton (Surrogate) has accepted, on
behalf of the Dean of the Arches, letters of request
preferred by the Bishop of Worcester against the Rev.
James John Merest, Vicar of Upton Snodsbury, in
the county and diocese of Worcester. Tho defendant is
charged with having thoroughly entered into a simoniacal
contract and been simoniacally presented to the benefice
he now holds, and with having at the Worcester assizes
pleaded gray to and been convicted of a misdemeanour,
whereby he had brought great scandal on the Church.
ller Majesty the Queen, accompanied by Prince
and Princess Christian, Princess Louise, Prince Leopold,
Princess Beatrice, and Prince Christian Victor and Prince
Albert of Schles wig-Holstein, will leave Osborne for Wind-
sor on Thursday, the 19th instant. On the 20th instant the
Queen and Royal family will leave Windsor Castle for Scot-
land, and will arrive at Balmoral in the afternoon of Satur-
day, the 21st inst. Prince Arthur will remain with her Ma-
jesty at Osborne until the 15th inst., when his royal High-
ness will proceed to Liverpool and embark for runada, for
service in the Rifle Brigade.
DUNVILLE and Co., Belfast, are the largest
holders of Whisky in the world. Their Old Irish Whisky is re
commended by the medical profession in preference to French
Brandy. Supplied in casks and cases for home use or exporta-
tion Quotations on application to Messrs. Dunville and Co ,
Belfast; or 4, Beaufort-buiMings , Strand, London,
1T1L115032013,

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With Dividends contingent on the Profits of each separate year.