The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-09 00:00:00

Agricultural Prospects.

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Last week opened with a favourable fine day and
a good deal of sun. Monday was also fine and dry,
sunny and breezy, and a good deal of field work
was well accomplished. Wind N.N.W. ; thermometer
48 deg. ; barometer up to 30.40 inches. On Tuesday
morning there was slight rain up to mid-day, but
tLhaenacaftsehriureoln" was better, with not much check to
rain spring tillage. Our advices run as under :—From
We continuefalls
sfrom da
toh; ve spring weather,
to
day, and there
is at length a favourable opening for agricultural
as little or no
work, which is greatly behindhand. A few dry weeks
are, indeed, much needed, as the recent unpropitious
season has left heavy soils in a state quite unfit for
working satisfactorily." From Suffolk—" Farmers
are busy on the land, completing their spring sow-
ing, which is now going on satisfactorily." Wed-
nesday was a fine day, and just what the farmers
wanted to push on field work. Our advices from
the west of Scotland stated : " The weather con-
tinues variable ;" from the east coast : " We have
had a week of fine weather." From Norfolk on the
same day : " The weather is favourable, and, with a
continuance, the Lent seeding will be finished dur-
ing tli present week." Thursday was a fine dry day,
and spring tillage was proceeding extensively. Our
reports on that day from Suffolk were : " Although
showery, we have had some finer weather, and our
farmers are, fast and satisfactorily, getting on with
barley seeding." From the interior of the same
county it was stated, "The weather has continued
mild and favourable for the growing crop and for
spring sowing." From Warwickshire it was remarked,
"Weather during the week has been generally fine
and spring-like, if we except Saturday evening, when
there was a heavy storm, accompanied with hail,
rain, and snow ; wind N. and N.W. The wheat
plant is not spoken of very favourably, more espe-
cially on heavy cold soils. Spring sowing and
planting are now being pushed forward where
the land has sufficiently recovered from the effects
of the snow and rain." From Berkshire, " The
weather has enabled the farmer to get on with the
field work within the last few days. A great deal of
wheat on the ground is looking thin and bad." Fri-
day was a fine dry day, and spring tillage pro-
gressed favourably. Our advices from the West
Biding stated—" The weather, since Tuesday, has
been fine, but to-day it threatens rain." On Satur-
day morning slight rain fell, with occasional showers
up to noon, but afterwards it was finer and warm,
and, in fact, very spring-like and growing weather.
During the week a large breadth of barley has been
sown, and even oats and beans have been planted
where not previously accomplished. There are many
complaints in various parts of the country of the
want of provender and of the dearness of most
stuffs which the farmers have to purchase for their
cattle.—Mark-lane Express of yesterday.

MIDDLESEX ELECTION.—In the event of a con-
test for the represeutation of Middlesex, the sheriff yester-
day appointed-th's 1i th iust. for the poll to be taken. As
already stated the nomination will take place on Monday
next, the 15th inst.