The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-21 00:00:00

Agricultural Prospects.

Last week opened with a fine day, after much rain dur-
ing the previous night. Monday morning was threatening*
and doubtful, but it held up, and no rain fell until 4 p.m.,
after which time the evening was wet; wind, S.W.; ther-
mometer•, 48 deg. in the morning, up to 52 deg. at midday;
barometer, 30in., and falling. Field work was proceeded
with in most counties and went on well throughout the
day. Tuesday morning was very wet, and the rain conti-
nued up to 11 a.m., the barometer down to 29.50 in. All
field work was of course stopped by the state of the wea-
ther. From Northumberland our advices stated that "dur-
ing the _past week we have had several heavy westerly
gales, but since Saturday the weather has for the most part
been fine." Wednesday proved a clear, fine, andrebastoiorppetrauesintzrea.yedregdtTarahbyheas,:ts
which would enable the farmers to progress with field work,
and a good finish has boon effected in the wheat sowing in
all the early districts, while what had been committed to
the ground first has come• up strong and healthy. Taking
c oi
n slightrt h the frost,
morning,i
ger. wind
the uncertainty of the weather into account, the work has
been well accomplished on all the light soils, heavy clay
land being the exceptiou, and that at times needed more
rain than had fallen to make it friable and fit for the plough.
Our advices from Scotland stated that "the weather had
been wet and boisterous," and that in the northernmost
part pees had been very violent and haystacks overturned.
The fluctuations of the barometer have boon very remark-
able, and a sharp•frost has been experienced. Fortunately
the bulk of the potato crop is lifted, so that there has been
little damage done." Another account states: "We have
gairdfiuouonertaniesrmrhnavedn:,
eataeiiaabpdtrgrnyiketft:eaoaadrydainvoreantpei:
very
d,
rtyyei‘etps,
nrgrtorohedtep
,t.
eohv
iciari
nob:
iuTguit
filhutstN:
,vyetruefoagrl:
levtet:
hech,aaaeei
aufnrt
rndhbosadeamwr
small
sldiaaadllylllis: stormlie
fromnow gotthe
weathero titli a r harvest
being
very concluded,nn unfavourable
v oaftertimhleexfceo
rshs excessive
eleatbour,
ope-
rations, scarcely two days dry being upon end, or with
damp foggy weather. Worse harvest weather has not been
experienced in this locality in the
hameEtm.wuthnoTeapdryah:ener_stocpif the oldest
the cereal crops would be an average ; but we are now
o straw are very much
fisromstil
one
ne green,
dr
aHtwarnaybrdiavnciegkvs itlolr
circumstancesnaln operationsoo s
tt
h elirke,
wlyelrenateoongg
anotherototi oinhnd hegoefnoaesnrr.
so for
alongpfePotatoesoorr.rts
oTi
tti
nhhi:ee
in size and deficient in
time if the weather keeps open. We conclude by saying
that the prospects of the farmers are not very encouraging,
coast here during the months of September and October
unsettled state of the weather rendered the harvest more
protracted than for many years past, and involved farmers
in additional expense and extra labour, besides a consider-
able loss in sprouting and heating. The bulk is nearly equal
to that of lad year, but the quality both of grain and
straw is deficient. The delivery of oats is free, the weight
ranging from 34 to 41 lb. per bushel. Potatoes are a fair
crop as to quantity, but in many cases considerably dis-
eased. Turnips have advanced rapidly on the past two
months, and are still sound and healthy. Cattle are now
for the most part housed for the season, by which farmers
will shortly be in a position to give a moro correct estimate,
of the yield than could bo ventured on at present."
Thursday was a dull morning, but the day hold up uweta..
3 p.m., when slight rain fell, and the night provedhii and
On this day the rains were incessant in Lanctaosproportya
Yorkshire, causing great floods and much loss
Wakefield.
on the various rivers from Manchesdterthe
day proved
Friday morning was threatening,
down to 29.50 in. Our
showery, with a very low barometeorksh
re
i on that day
advices from the East Riding
of
night was still favourable
lomtheetrienr
having
stated : " The weather up
to last
tiiag must in some degree
for sowing, but the rain now a
fine bracing day, after a
cause delay." Saturday
88 de-It favourable day for out-of-door
risen up 30.10 in. A most
most suitable for thrashing wheat,
and ono
work, as
now be more encouraged to bring this
and farmers will . .
Laving so improved, and pointing to
n forward, prices h
The amount returned this wook was 13,142
blowing 7trso°
4n g 4 layt fnrooomn,Ni;
,be still
than that of last week, which is themore sur-
prisingbe the exception. The supply of barley was only 345 qrs.
less than the previous week, but 4,150 qrs. more than the
..
rS.
lessas deliveries of all grain are generally increased
and largo in the month of November; but this year may
wheat returned ; and of barley there is no doubt that as
much as possible will be brought forward whilst the de-
mand is so keen upon it, with the prices of the moat select
malting so very high. Theßurton ale brewers have assisted
the agriculturists most materiallythis season in starting off
barley so well, and this has been done without loss to
themselves, inasmuch as the public are to pay for it in the
enhanced price for their ale.—Mark-lane Express.

A COLLIER'S IDEA OF A WIFE'S DUTIES.--AN
gAr
01 AMUSING I
wN
aG s S
aC Er
miner. Aandlewwadsaeyvsidaegnotlya
ocnoeupolfe
twheent
mostto
be married at a village church near Wakefield. The bride-
ignorant of his class, and his intended spouse was one in
the same station of life. The ceremony proceeded unin-
terruptedly until the question was put.—" Wilt thou have
this woman to be thy wedded wife ?" At this point the
man turned round to the woman, and to the intense horror
of the officiating minister, coolly asked her—" Wi to clean
mi booits ?" The bride vouchsafed no answer to the in-
terrogation, and although repeated three times, each time
with greater emphasis and force, before the clergyman re-
covered from his surprise, and ordered the " fratching
pair" out of the edifice. This was an eventuality as as-
tounding and as unexpected to the bridegroom as his own
conduct had been to the parson, but it had the effect of
bringing him to his senses, and ho piteously begged of the
clerk to ask the minister to coma back, promising most,s
abjectly to go through the ceremony "all rout."
doin' wring. The fact wor he and his misshies,d
sworn
he'd
ne'er rumpus about booit cleanin' job and
feu 0
,010.
Theld
ne'er wed her if she did'na promise to 1
nobbat an ignorant men, he said, and didn't.h
after reading
at last induced to return, and
Clergyman was
of the ceremony
the couple a lecture on the sacredness
the solemn character
they were about to go through, and
re proceeded with the
of the building in which theywo
0;20,
the "boon" con-
troversyservice,' and the two wore made
• die. It is to be hoped
Mil.- adjourned s.tne
e
t" itself will not be turned
wilho ;or
that when resumed the "bo?t
11, v
had had moray
jiuottion:i. powerful auxiliary in the discuz,tAon.— a