Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1852-03-02
BREADSTUFFS.

Messrs. Surge, the great English corn fac
tors, have just issued their annual statistics on
the corn trade of Great Britain, from which we
make the following important extracts:
The year 1851 commenced with an average
price OF Wheat of 3Ss Sd, being Is I'd per quar-
Ter above the lowest return in 1850 with va
rious fluctuations, it had advanced on the 18th
o: July to AS Cd, but it subsequently, receded TO
SOS Cd on the 18th of October, which is lower
than has been known for seventy-three years,
and materially below the quotations on the same
date of many Of the markets OF Europe, whence
we usually receive supplies. Notwithstanding
this extreme depression in the price of Wheat,
we believe the pressure on the agricultural in
terest is not so great as 1t was in 1850, and other
previous periods, arising partly from a good crop,
both in quantity and quality, with more remnne-
rative prices for most other kinds of agricultural
produce.
We think the prospects decidedly infavorable
to a much higher range of prices in 1852 than in
1850 or 1851; an advance Of 5s Cd per quarter
has already taken place in English, and Is to IS
per quarter in foreign wheat. The extremely
low real and ~relativs price Of wheat during au-
tumn, aided by the heavy losses sustained by our
grain importers into this country during the past
three years, which have ruined some of those en-
gagged in the trade, and discouraged others, has
produced its natural effect, a great decrease OF
imports during the last three months of 1851, as
compared with 1850, which are as follows -
947,133 quarters 1850; 443, PA quarters 1851;
difference sos, SS9 quarters ; and we expect that
the first three months of 1852 will show a still
greater decrease, as compared with the same Pc
riod in 1851.
Since the beginning of October the demand
from Holland, Belgium, and Germany has also
taken of the inferior foreign W6eats 10 a large
extent from the principal ports of the United
Kingdom, in addition TO a considerable Of Eng
lish from the Eastern counties, and a great pro-
portion of the arrivals on the coast from the
Mediterranean, Danube and Black Seas whence
and the United States this demand will probably
be principally supplied during the spring and
summer, unless the wants Of France should prove
greater than is anticipated, require a partofthese
supplies in addition TO what she can spare from
her own corn. growing districts.
1t is much to be regretted that on so important
a subject as the food of the people our Govern
ment- continues TO neglect the collection of sta
%tistics, SO that VIC are without data 10 form any,
thing like an accurate opinion of the produce or
consumption of the kingdom. "The Times
Commissioner" on what appears 10 be the best
procurable information, makes the average crop
of wheat only l0,250,00O quarters; and if we
add 100000 quarters for Ireland, this is still
two or three millions less than is generally sup.
posed.
Taking the quality into account, we think the
English crop oi185l is decidedly above an ave.
rage, but that we require a considerable import
before harvest; as If the above calculation ofthe
growth oe the United Kingdom be correct, we
imported in 1851 a quantity equalit to more than
one-fourthofth the whole British production, name
", about 100000 quarters, and are left with a
less stock in grs nary at the end OF the year than
at its commencement a further rise in our
prices of 4s per quarter, if not accompanied by
a similar advance in Holland, Belgium, and
North of France, would, however, bring us a
large supply before midsummer.