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

Correspondence Of the Democratic Advocate.
LoSDox, August 10th, 1873,
The importancc to TIE Aniericai, Farmer
OF all intelligence concerning the prospects Of
food supplies in the great English market,
will, think, make interesting some observa-
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, and little bur
dsned by the broad Gag, which, though a
danger in tempestuous weather, is source Of
nourishment for both straw and ear; the ears
are short and light, with defective spikelets
at the base. The profusion 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 10 prognOsticate
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 unsea-
sonably late, making it likely that the Eve or
six weeks usually occupied in furnishing the
ear with grains and duly filling and hardening
them may be curtailed; the probable effect Of
hot time would be to hurry the Tipening,
seeing that the roots, which might otherwise
have sustained aud prolonged the green aud
growing condition Of the plant, were proven
ted by the wet spring aud summer from going
down sufficiently deep into the SOIL and lastly,
in case Of cool and wet weather between this
aud harvest, the ripening would be still more
unfasorable-a satisfactory filling Of the ear
principally depending on high temperature,
when the plant is well rooted aud able to sup
ply the nutriment which the Sun can cause to
be assimilated and concentrated in the grain.
Artificial and other natures have been so
washed out OF the soil that their effect in
corn-produeing viii be little realizeable in
the present season. | learn, however, that
on the farm near Sawbrdgeworth, 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 riyct or
horned wheat. This successful result is due
to deep tillage BY the steam pillow, in coniunc-
tion with plentiful applications Of phosphate
and ammoniAeal manure.
The same Indictment season which has left
all the orchards melancholy with the absense
Of fruit, has refused luxuliant growth TO the
crops, and At the same time developed every
possible form Of smoihering and devoaring
weeds. HoeiBg 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 held
1t is a mystery how oecupiers Of these corn
farms, rented at what mixed husbaadry farm
ers would think moderate figures, can 90 on
under existing conditions Indeed there are
nanF Indications that Numbers of tenants will
not be long able TO pay their rents. What
shall they do! Win advisers recommend
them TO try milkeaas for London--a trade
which many dairy farmers already find over
doneg Some Of the schemes eoniriyed for
farmers beaten by seasons and foreign com.
peiitiun 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 cueumbers, because clever man
at Broomheld, near Chelmsford, cuts and
sends to Covent-g garden 5000 per week of the
longest, straightest, and most tender heshed
Of these cool, juicy relshes that are sold in
London. c. A. 5.