The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-05 00:00:00

AGRICULTURAL PnO3FECTS.

Last week opened with a fine genial spring-like
day, fresh and clear; but there was slight rain at
night, with the wind from the south-west. On
Monday the morning was showery, and it continued
so most part of the day. Wind west ; thermo-
meter 50 deg.; barometer 29.80 in. From this ex-
cessive moisture no field-work could be proceeded
with ; the land being so saturated that no teams
could go on it, and ploughing appears likely to be
protracted. As yet a correct judgment cannot be
formed of the wheat plant, or of the effect the sud-
den disappearance of the heavy covering of snow
has had on it. In a short time a better
opinion may be gathered; but the fear is that in
low situations too much water has latterly been ex-
perienced, and that the plant may assume a yellowish
hue, when drier weather will be required to bring it
round to a healthy colour. Tuesday held up fine
until the afternoon, when slight rain fell, and the
evening was wet ; the temperature remaining high,
and the barometer low. Our advices from the West
Riding of Yorkshire- state :—" The change to soft
mild weather has materially affected the - condition
of wheat, and this has no doubt a great effect on the
minds of the buyers, or the general belief in ad-
vancing rates and the cheap rate of discount would
lead more corn to change hands." From Northum-
berland our advices were :—" The weather was wet
and cold on Wednesday, but since it has been mild
and showery ; wind S.W. to N.W." Wednesday
morning was fine, but had not a settled appearance,
and at 3 p.m. it became very dark, with rain follow-
ing, which lasted the greatest part of the evening
thermometer up to 52 degrees, and baromoter down
as low as 29.70 inches. Nothing, of course, in the
shape of out-door work could be done. From the
west coast of Scotland it was remarked on that day :
—" The weather has been wet and mild." Thursday
was a fair, brisk, and fresh day, with a strong breeze
from the west : thermometer down to 45 degs., and
barometer steadily rising. Our advices from War-
wickshire stated on that day :--"A great quantity of
rain has fallen at intervals during the week : the at-
mosphere has been mild for the season, but out-door
labour is much retarded. Dry weather is anxiously
looked for, to enable the farmers to prepare for
spring sowing, and also for the benefit of the young
wheat plant, which, in some districts, is reported to
be sickly, from excessive wet." From Norfolk it
was written We have mild open weather,
and grain comes to band in poor condition.''
From Gloucestershire :—"The weather has be-
come unseasonably mild, with continual and
heavy rain." From Northamptonshire : " The ra-
pidity of the thaw has swollen the rivers and brooks
in this part of the country, so as to cause a flood
over many parts of this and the adjoining counties,
covering some fields of young wheat ; but it is hoped
the injury will not be great." From Suffolk : "We
have had very mild humid weather, which has
seriously affected the condition of all new wheat not
previously thrashed, only a chance lot being in
grinding order. The glass to-day, however, is rising
with a keen atmosphere." During the early part of
Friday there was again rain, and at times during the
remaining part of the day, although the barometer
was steadily rising. Thus far then during the week
nothing could be done in the way of field-work, and
the thrashing of wheat would not be well done
from the very moist atmosphere, as the condition
cannot improve while such weather lasts. A change
seems near at hand, :aid it is to b hoped that dry
weather will soon set in, which is now 5,.) desirable
to all farmers, who are looking with anxiety, both
as to the coming seed-time and the markets for all
grain. Our advices from Lincolnshire on Friday ran
thus : " The frost has made the wheat look yellow
and sickly in many parts, and unless the colour
alters speedily we shall expect to find considerable
damage done to it. Turnips are much injured by
the frost. Land is in a very wet and unkind state
at present. Corn markets very flat just now, and it
seems that barley has seen its highest point. This
will doubtless be a short season for maltsters."
Choice samples for seed will, we th lak, be so scarce