The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-12 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

The Yorkshire Post gives a lengthened report of the pre-
sent condition and appearance of the crops, gathered from
the accounts of some fifty correspondents. Many of these
are resident in Yorkshire, and they are tolerably unanimous
in their verdict on the wheat, which they describe as back-
ward, irregular, and below the average. Oats, beans, and
swede turnips promise well. Clover and meadows are good,
and the promise of winter supply of fodder for the cattle
most satisfactory. The harvest throughout Yorkshire
is expected to begin about the second week in
August. From, Cumberland and Durham the accounts
are more encouraging. In the former county agriculture
is said to be impioving steadily, and the application of
permanent artificial manures makes the farmer less de-
pendent on the weather than formerly. In Cheshire the
wheat crop is said to look promising, but the barley is under
the average. The oats, too, want warm weather. Winter
beans in many places promise a luxuriant crop. The cold
north-east winds are complained of in several quarters.
Potatoes aro generally favourably spoken of, but there are
rumours of disease in parts of Gloucester, and it has been
stated that the disease has actually made its appearance in
the neighbourhood of Devizes. In Hereford and Mon-
mouth the fine weather of the last few days
has produced beneficial effects, but in Kent and
Hampshire matters are not so favourable. A farmer,
of Wingham, Kent, reports that on the sands,
gravels, and chalks there is not an average crop, but the
wheats promise the best. Hay and grass are abundant. All
accounts agree in anticipating a late harvest, but most per.
sons think it probable that two or three weeks of warm,
fine weather, will greatly improve matters. The plentiful
supply of hay and winter fodder is likely to compensate in
some degree for other deficiencies.

The Duchess of Alencon, the daughter-iu law of
the Duke of Nomours, gave birth to a son on Friday at
Busby Palace. The Duchess is the sister of the Empress
of Austria and the ex-Queen of Naples.

A telegram from Great Yartnolth states that a
Danish seaman, named Joreuson, Las been landed there
from a Danish vessel, charged with having caused the death
of a lad, one of his shipmates. The circumstances have been
reported to the Danish Consul in Loudon.

The post of Sergeant-at-Arms to her Majesty has
become vacant by the death of Mr. E. K. S. Macleod. The
deceased gentleman was the fourth son of the late Major-
General Nozman Macleod, C. 8., and Lady Anna Macleod,
and grand4on of the late Earl of Mountmorres.

.1-'OIITEVG, NOIFS.

Sir.,--There will be plenty of Sport this week.
The Nottingham meeting will be celebrated on
Tuesday and Wednesday. The Nottinghamshire
Handicap has secured sixteen acceptances, and the
horses best in are Liguria!), Tornado, Mexico, and
Stork. Tornado, though a non-stayer, is bound
to ru well, as the course is easy, and so will Stork.
Still neither of the pair looks so formidable as
Mexico and Ligurian. Several fast horses have
been nominated for the Hradgate Plate, amongst
them Stork, Harebell, ~Eolus, Vcda, and Clario-
nette. if reserve] for this event, Stork can
barely be defeated. For the Stand Plate
Prince Imperial, Riga, Problem, and Flying
Jib, have not been overweighted ; and if Prince
Imperial c2.n defeat Problem, Captain Machell's
speedy colt may be hailed the winner. The Robin
Hood Stakes (six furlongs) will end in a match
between Cymbal and Scarbro'; and as Green Riband
may not put in an appearance for the Rufford Ab-
bey Stakes Queen of Hearts will have an easy win-
ning task. Forty-seven two-yr-olds have been
nominated for the First Biennial Stakes, and
amongst them are Agility, Countryman Elferon,
Demidoff, Vibration, Elsharn, The Boy, Hawthorn-
dale, Lady Sophia, Mount Pleasant,Master Walter,
Scarbro', and Braemar. Of these the best are Agi-
lity, Countryman, Scarbro', and Demidoff. There
are 14 entries for the Clumber Park Stakes,
but Roma has only Queen of Hearts to fear.
The Southampton Meeting will take place on Tues-
day and Wednesday. There are twelve acceptances
for the South Hampshire Stakes, and as Red Rice
may not run, Captain Machell's elected, Crown
Princess or Silenus, will win. An indifferent lot of
horses have been entered for the Welter Handicap ;
the best are Aintree and Viscount St. Albans. The
Nursery Plate appears likely to be won by Soucar
or Zerlina ; and the Cranbury Park Stakes by Fig-
leaf or The Mate. The Reading Meeting will be
held on Thursday and Friday. Eleven horses stand
in the Berkshire Handicap, and Master Willie has
only to beat Chivalry for this stake to be won by
Cliff's stable. In the Whitley Stakes April Morn
and First Emperor are the pair most likely to pro-
duce the winner. For the Abbey Stakes (5 fur-
longs) 57 two-year-olds have been nominated, but
the race will be confined to Green Riband, Haw-
thornden, Pate, and Cestus, as Prince Henry is
amiss, and will not run. The Nursery Stakes ought
to be won by Ironstone or Fancy Boy.

A FRESH MAN.