Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-07-30

Now when we reflect that England, in excess
OF her own supplies consumed last year this
enormous quantity OF foreign grain, equal 10 The
whole wheat crop Of the Uned STATES for 1910,
as reported by the census, we begin 10 realize the
extent OF her wants, more particularly when we
reflect that her grain crops were good, and that
The large impor, was insufficient 10 keep numbers
from starvation.
The great secret Of this defci, is in The pecn-
liar nature of the potato culture. II has been as.
cerlained BY scientific research, that about four
pounds Of potatoes are equal 10 one pound oil
wheat. as human fool According 10 The English
averages, an acre of good land will produce 90
lGO pounds of potatoes, or ESQ pounds Of wheat;
therefore, rs four pounds OF the former are equal
10 one pound OF the latter, an acre Of potatoes will
support three times as many people as one OF
wheat. Since The peace, the culture OF potatoes
has been greatly extended, as TODD Tor The manu-
featuring and laboring classes-as every acre put
in with potatoes equals three sowed with wheat
The increase of the manufacturing population,
and that Of Ireland, has moi produced any extra
demand for wheat Hence the apparent ano-
may that wheat has been falling in price under
a steady currency, with an increasing popua-
ton, The best estimates make the quantity OF
land planted with potatoes last year in the United
Kingdom 100000 acres; which, al The average
of 9 tons per acre, produced 30, 400 600 tons. OF
this, nearly two-lhirds persisted by the rot in 1896
leaving an estimated quantity OF 1000, 600 ions
available as food. The effect OF that extensive
failure was an abandonment OF The crop to some
extent; and il is now estimated that i,0O0,0
acres, instead Of 100000, are planted tor
the present year. These would yield OF sound
roots 100000 tons, or 25 per cent less than was
available last year. There is no doubt, however,
bu, that one-hali of this amount will perish, and
thai the deficit will be 5000 600 tons, from the
available quantity last year, or equal, as food, 10
The product of 2, 100000 acres of wheat. II The
potato crop is entirely abandoned, il will require
10 200 600 acres OF whea, to supply The same food
that was in lbe shape oil potatoes COL from 400,
600 acres The 100000 Withdrawn from po-
latoes last year was mostly put down in green
crops and spring corn, which have checked the
demand Tor grain in The summer months, and
aided 10 produce the late tall in price, but will
not furnish food that will &c available later in
The year. The stock with which England COM
menced the last year was equal TO The product OF
| 900 600 acres, and she has none now on hand.
These arc some Of The chief circumstances that
indicate the course that The grain trade is likely
| TO take for the coming year; and il must also be
remembered that what has been said in relation
10 the potatoes of Great Britain applies also 10
western Europe. We are also 10 remember that
with the stock in hand, and The imports, England
consumed up 10 January, 5492. 594 qrs., and that
the navigation OF northern Europe will close, SO
as 10 prevent her realizing much from The new
crops before next spring. There arc no stocks
in northern Europe, and the export has been pro-
hibiled in Sweden and some other countries. u
has been supposed that circumstances would dl-
miuish consumption; that is 10 say, that The mo-
dified expenditure on The railroad would check
The outlay Tor food that the high prices would
have The same tendency; that The cessation Of
the public expenditure in Ireland, together with
emigration and deaths by famine and plague,
would all cause less consumption. But il we
reflect that the enormous imports Of last year did
not avert those calamlies which are thong hi 10
diminish the demand, this we cannot anticipate
much efec, from them. Those who died OF star.
rat,on certainly did mol much increase the de,
mand for food.
AN IMPORTANT yOTE.-The House o.
Assembly OF The Canadian Parliament on Mon
day week passed an address to her Majesty, pray
| -: ,b,t The free nayioation of The ST Laurence