New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-09-22
,rful arguments against the
Democratic party. HOWARD.
London Letter.
Irregular Correspondence)
London. Aug. Doth. 1880.

London, Aug. 10th, 1880.
The summary Of Che Agricultural
returns for Great Britain shows an
increase in the area of land under
wheat for 1880, as compared with
that of 1879, of Is, 904 acres, but a
decrease, as compared with 1878, of
309. 269 acres. This is considera.
BE decrease in the growth of wheat
amounting as is does to 90 percent.
The decrease in the average of bar
ley is surprisingly large, the area
being 99,34 acres under that Of
1879 and 1921 acres less than that
Of 1873. The general impression
was that there was an unusually
large breadth of barley sown.
Hops occupy 934 fewer acres than
in 1879, and 5, O52 less than in 1878.
The total net decrease in the land
under the crops named in the sum-
mary is 1854 since 1878, but it
remains to be seen whether this
not very large decrease during two
years has been made up by an in
crease in the area under clover and
cultivated grasses or in that Of root
crops. Clovers planted so we'll in
the spring of 1879 that it will not
be surprising to find nearly all the
net decrease referred to made up by
an increase in the average of that
crop alone. Probably the breadth
of land in bare fallow and mangles
is smaller than usual, and that of
turnips greater AS far as can be
jrdged at present, there seems no
sign of any considerable conversion
Of arabic land to pasture, and there
is still less reason to fear that the
complete return will show a large
average to have gone out Of cultiva-
ton altogether.
For live stock the returns are
more disheartening. Cattle alone
have decreased IN number by $500
as compared with 1879, and by l73,
918 as compared with 1878. That
result may be contributed in great
measure, if not entirely to the eff
fects of the Cattle Disease Act.
Sheep and lamb have decreased to
and alarming extent, the number
being 1856 1856 less than it was
last year, and 1884, 4S2 less than in
1878. The terrible liver rot Will in
great measure account for this; but
loss Of capital, leading to the giving
up of breeding hocks, must also be
reckoned as factor in the case.
The decrease is all the more to be
lamented because mutton, at the
present time, is the article of pro.
duction in which British farmers
have the ama]lest amount of compe-
tition, and which yields the largest
profit in ordinary season. Sheep
breeding has paid remarkably well
until last season, when the rot deci-
mated many focks, and caused loss
to nearly all breeders. l think
there is no hope Of the loss being re.
trieved for some time to come. 'The
condition Of the present summer has
been favorable to the development
Of the liver flu Ike, and another visi.
tation is very probable. Shortncss
in money, too, has, induced many
farmers to sell their eve lambs, for
killing, Or for grazing, instead
Of keeping them for breed
ing purposes Pigs still decrease in
number, which is not surprising
when you consider the quantity OF
cheap pork sent in one form or an.
other from the United States. Still
481, 526, or 1914 per cent, in two
years is a remarkable diminution.