The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-18 00:00:00

Agricultural Prospects.

The week opened with a damp morning, the day
holding up tolerably dry; but the night proved a
very wet one, with a cold wind from S.S.E. to S.
Monday morning was more favourable ; day dry,
and the night starlight and frosty. Wind, W. ;
thermometer, 38 deg. at mid-day ; barometer, 30in.
This was a tolerably favourable day for the thrash-
ing of wheat ; but a more keen frost would be still
better, and enable the farmers to bring forward corn
in a drier condition, now so much wanted. Tuesday
was cold, with a slight frost; wind, S.E. Our ad-
vices from the East Riding of Yorkshire stated
" Weather fine and mild for this season of the year,
and not much appearance of winter as yet. From
Northumberland :—" The weather was wet and
stormy up to Saturday, when it turned to frost. On
Sunday it was again damp, but since yesterday it has
been very fine ; wind varying from south-west to
north-west." On Wednesday it was much milder,
with rain. Wind, S.IV., and the thermometer up
to 51 degrees; barometer down to 29-60 inches,
threatening a fall of rain. From the west coast of
Scotland it was said—" The weather continues wet."
In many parts of the north beyond the Tweed wheat
sowing had been suspended by the state of the
weather, and there is yet a good deal to be done be-
fore a finish can be made of this important work ;
whilst one dry and suitable week would enable the
farmers to make a finish, and, although late, yetthe
seed would go into a well-prepared soil, and would
soon vegetate with the present mild temperature.
Thursday was a very wet day, with occasionally some
drenching showers. Wind S.IV., thermometer 48
degrees, and barometer down to 29.40 inches. Our
advices from Warwickshire stated—" 'Weather dur-
ing the week has been changeable, with little or no
appearance of winter. The land continues in a very
unfit state for out-door labour, the result of recent
rains." From Suffolk it was remarked—" During
the week the weather has been variable, with consi-
derable rain and occasional frost." Friday was a
wet and showery day, totally unfit for the thrashing
of wheat ; and this work must be either wholly
stopped, or the condition of the samples will be unfit
for grinding. Many farmers, however, will Lot open
their stacks until the March winds have penetrated
them, as so much having gone up badly such for-
bearance, in numerous instances, will be requisite ;
and in the meantime the growers look to a steady
improvement in value. Saturday was about the
worst day of all the week, heavy rains at intervals,
and all out-door work on the farm suspended. The
returns of wheat have been 6,218 qrs. More than last
week, and ls. 7d. higher, the average prices being
61s. 7d., and consequently higher than fur years past,
thus helping to remunerate for the heavy expenses of
last harvest. If the weather were dry up to the close
of the year a still larger amount would be'returned to
prepare for the heavy demand at the close of the year,
mainly for Christmas rents. As regards barley the
supply returned is rather larger this than last week,
but at only 6d. more money. This corn will be
pressed to market during the malting season, be
the price what it may. The decline submitted to
during the past two weeks will most probably bring
buyers forward again freely, particularly for the
most select samples, as the attempt to send these
down to 50s. per qr. has not yet succeeded ; while
the Burton ale brewers are still on the various mar-
kets in the barley districts, although not quite so
brisk or lively as heretofore,—Mark-lane Express.