The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-08-30
LONDON LETTER.


totAtNl1-AtttHrNt " AlA@ A'Al4ilotthhl Aatt1Ates
I,oSpox, August 10th, 1879.
The Importance 10 de American Farmer
OF all intelligence concerning the prospects OF
food supplies in the great English market,
viii, think make interesting some obserya-
tons recently made in an extended tour
through the agricultural districts Of that
country.
observed that wheats carry themselves
well TO the eye; but upon walking into them
you find the stems far between, aud little bur
deaea by the broad flag, which, though a
danger in tempestuons weather, is a source Of
nouFishment for both straw and ear; the ears
are short and light, with defective spikelets
at the base. The profnsion of annual and
other weeds must detract greatly from the
possible yields, and probably not fourth Of
the fields can produce an average. But as
some crops are only now in bloom, and the
grain in the most forward still in the state Of
white milk, il is yet too carly TO prognOstieate
what the weather may accomplish toward
filling the ear with plump berries. Against
the prospect Of good yield in proportion TO
the insufficient plant are these three consid-
eralions The time for towering is nnsea-
sonably late, making il likely that the i've or
six weeks usually occupied in furnishing the
ear with grains and duly filling and hardening
them may be curtailed; the probable effect OF
q hot time would be 20 hurry the ripening,
seeing that the roots, which might otherwise
have sustained and prolonged the green aud
growing condition OF the plant, we're proven
ted by the wet spring and summer from going
down sufficiently deep into the soil, and lastly,
in case Of cool and wet weather between this
and harvest, the ripening would be still more
uniavorable--a satisfactory filling of the ear
principally depending on high temperature,
when the plant is well rooted and able 10 sup.
ply the nntriment which the sun can cause to
be assimilated and concentrated in the grain.
Artificial and other mahures have been so
washed out of the soil that their effect in
corn producing will be little realizeable IN
the present season. learn, however, that
on the farm near Sawbridgeworth, which Mr..
John Prout has cropped for many years in
succession with white corn, selling of the
straw, as well as the corn, by auction, each
year, the wheats and barleys are again heavy,
the greatest crops being those Of rivct or
horned wheat. This successful result is due
to deep tillage by the steam. pillow, in conjunc.
ton with plentiful applications Of phosphate
and ammoniacal manure.
The same Indictment season which has left
all the orchards melancholy with the absense
of fruit, has refused luxuriant growth to the
crops, and at the same time developed every
possible form Of smothering and deyouring
weeds. Hoeiug and hand wedding have been
Of little practical use for months, and farmers
declare that weeds cut up in the morning have
rooted again before the hoemen were out Of
the field a
1t is mystery how oecupers Of these corn
farms, rented at what mixed, husbandry farm
ers would think moderate figures, can 60 on
under existing conditions. Indeed there are
many indications that numbers of tenants will
not be long able to pay their rents. What
shall they do? Win advisers recommend
them TO try milkcans for London-a trade
which many dairy farmers already find over
done? Some Of the schemes eontriyed for
farmers beaten by seasons and foreign com.
petitiun are more benevolent than business.
like, more theoretical than available in actual
practice Minor productions Of the farm must
always remain limited; and it would be as
idle, for example. to recommend the Rooth.
ing farmers to give up corn and raise butter
and eggs as TO urge that they should turn their
attention to cucumbers, because clever man
at Broomfeld, near Chelmsford, cuts and
sends to Covent- garden 1900 per week Of the
longest, stFaightest, and most tender heshed
Of these cool, juicy relshes that are sold in
London. c. A. S.