The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-20 00:00:00

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Males
Females..

793
782

Total

THE WEAT.UER, AND CROPS EV-IRELAND.

The late rains have very much injured the meadows
on the Ca;lows of the Suck asid Shannon. A large
quantity of hay,lalLeaved, has been covered with water
by the overflowing of these rivers, and farmers have not
only been put to great expense in attempting to save it,
but in some instances they have lost it entirety. On the
other hand, those who adopted the maxim of, " making
hay while the sun shines" have the'.r hay now saved and
in the. Laggards., The harvest has in some instances
already commenced in this neighbourhood. Barley is
lasing cut down in one or two places, and several fields
of wheat throughout the district will fall beneath the
sickle next week, if the weather permit. We observe a
field of eats reaped at Garhatly. The late rains 'have re-
tarded the harvest for perhaps a fortnight, but they will
have prevented the grain from ripening too fast, under
the influence of the excessive heat of last week. The
turnip crop is improving, but it is not in so forward a
state as at the same period of former seassns. As yo
the potato crop is free from blight.— Western `'tar.
EARLY BARLEY. —On Wednesday last Captain Gas-
enyee commenced to reap a field of excellent barley, at
Mackney. We have examined a specimen, and find
the straw of more than average length, the grain as hard
as if ‘leilndried, plump and well filled. This is the first
barley we have heard of as being reaped in this neigh-
bourhood, and the superiority the cr,ip is ereclitahre
to the gallant captain's systetn of fanning.--Ibid.
Harvest labours seem almost at hand. Wheat fields
are rapidly ripening, and oats colour fast. From the
appearance of the fields, it would seem that a great
breadth of cereals will be ready in the ensuing week,
and if hands be not set to work much of the best of the
grain will be lost by' over ripening. We hope, ere long,
to see the reaping machine at work in this country, and
if farmers would try to renounce old prejudice-8, and cut
wheat and oats before they are fully ripe, a larger quan-
tity of grain would be saved. In the heavier descrip-
tion of potato oats there is often a full sixth of the
whole lost by over ripening.--Belfast Mercury.
A rather unfavourable change has taken place in the
weather, rain having fallen for the last few days almost
without intermission. IS is feared that the crops will
sustain some injury, atter the unusual drought which
prevailed, and in conseqrsence of the ungenial nature of
the season, the changes being most trying and abrupt.
We still continue to receive favourable reports of the
potato crop, which will be more than an average one
this year. Harvest operations have commenced in
sonic districts in this locality, and have been interrupted
by the continuance of rain.—Sligo Journal.
"The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are
few," was the remark of a gentleman to us on Friday.
The ears are bending under the weight of the wealtk
eruesatponl it ;
o but
u such
ciht
was Lady-day,
with which Providence I filled theta and much of the
and,
for
grain may be
lost
a7cacontrdoinf g the handst to
drive, the fields were empty and the public-house full.—
Cork Constitution.
TUB' WEATHER.—An immensity of rain has fallen this
week, and several peals of thunder were heard on Satur.
day, Snuday, and Monday lest. The wheat and oat
craps have been partially prostrated and other Jule,* in-
jured by the heavy rains; and we are sorry to he:ar that
the blight is again committing its ravages on the potato
crop. Although the barometer keeps very' low we
trust that fair weather is at hand, and that we shall still
be favoured with an abundant harvest.—Derry Sentinel.
Since our last the weather has underesne a change.
Much rain has fallen, which has given afresh itispearance
to the country after tfie late parching drarielt. The
turnip crop, where it was not attacked .with- ehe fly, is
very healthy. The areal crops, are progreising to ma
tufty throughout the county. in tome districts reaps
commenced, has already comenCed, and a large quantity of oat
have already fallen
beneath the sickle. Should the wea
they continue fine, and there is every appearance of it
since yesterday, the country; through Divine favour,
will be blessed with an early and abundant harvest:—
Carlow iSen‘nel.