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

BIRTHS IN THE WEEK.

Males
Females

793
782

Total

THE WEATBER AND CROPS IN IRELA.ND.

The late rains have very much injured the meadows
on the Callows of the Suck and Shannon. A large
quantity of hay, half saved, has been covered with water
by the overflowing of these rivers, and farmers have not
only been put to great expense in attemp'ing to save it,
but in some instances they have lost it entirely. On the
other hand, those who adopted the maxim of " making
hay while the sun shines" have their hay now saved and
in the haggards. The harvest has in some instances
already commenced in this neighbourhood. Barley is
being 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 oats reaped at Garbally. 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 seasons. As yet
the potato crop is free from blight.—Western Ster.
EARLY BARLEY.—On Wednesday last Captain Gas-
coyne 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 kilndried, plump and well filled. This is the first
barley we have heard of as being reaped in this neigh-
bourhood, and the superiority of the crop is creditable
to the gallant captain's system of farming.—lbid.
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 prejudices, 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 trill
sustain some injury, after the unusual drought which
prevailed, and iu consequence 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 1111
some districts in this locality, and have been interrupted
by the continuance of rain.—Sligo Journal.
f "Thep btarevesttrurklyof a gentleman
is great, bat
t theo u
s o n labourers
Friday. ae r
ew, Wa h 8 Trn.
ia
t\hveemig,hatnodf
mthuechwoefatlhtl :
Thewth earswhich
r Providenceeben(li banding u
tadser
grain may be lost for want of halide to reap it ; but it
was Lady-day, and,
according to the custom of such
filledthe
day- the fields were empty and the publisehouse full.—
Cori Constitution.
THE WEATHER.—An immensity of rain has fallen this
week, and several peals of thunder were beard on Satur•
day, Sunday, and Monday last. The wheat and oat
crops have been partially prostrated and otherwise in-
jured by the heavy rains; and we are sorry to hear 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 undergone a change.
Much rain has fallen, which has given a fresh appearance
to the country after the late parching drought. The
turnip crop, where it was not attacked with the fly, is
very healthy. The esreal crops are progressing to ma
tufty throughout the county. In some districts reap
inn has already commenced, and a large quantity of oats
have already fallen beneath the sickle. Should the wea
P the °r continue fine, and there is every appearance of i
i since yesterday, the country; ti-rough Divine favour,
• will be blessed with an early and abundant haryea.-
046910 Saltine.