The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-29
London Letter.
Interesting to Fa7mers.-Europedn Agricu,tu-
raj Ne1cs Items.
Irregular Corrcspondence,)
LONDON, Jan. 18th, 1Ss

raj Ne'cs Items.
Irregular Correspondence,)
LONDON, Jan. 18th, 1881.
The weather during the past week, up to
Friday. has been rough and stormy, and the
land Is generally too wet for cultivation. The
samples of English whcats offered in London
and in provincial markets have been very
much out OF condition, and the effect of the
rams at the close OF harvest on unthatched
rlcks is becoming more and more patent. A
very large proportion of the English wheat
crop has been injured in that way, and the
market rates for damp samples are very low
The amount of old wheat now included in
farmers deliveries is very small; in fact there
IS practically none. Bat where such is to be
found the samples meet ready sale, and new
wheats in fine condition find buyers without
difficulty For the red prices are low, and the
supply of dry foreign wheat makes the sale Of
all such inferior portion of the home growth
very difficult and unsatisfactory When the
large proportion of deliveries in more or less
perfect condition is considered, the position of
the home producer, as a seller of wheat is
very serious one. The yield of the crop Of
1880 is turning out to be smaller than the low
est published estimates, ana the small deliver
les at low prices make the money return
small one to the English grower
With few exceptions all foreign wheats are
now to be purchased on the spot, and forward.
ed at easier rates than were obtained during
the previous week. The quantity OF bread
sutlS on passage and Tor shipment Is large,
and all that the United States refuses to send
is gladly supplied fiom other sources. The
"vislble supply of wheat IN America is now
rapidly increasing, al IS now but little short
of the greatest accumulation of last year. 1t
is quite probable that there will be "A large
quantity of American flour sent here later on.
A considerable quantity of snow fell IN
North Germany, which it is feared will do
considerable damage to the coming crops, as
they were not covered with the soil.
The rlnderpcst is making terrible ravages
IN Russia, and the infected district Is now
within 60 kilometres of the frontier of East
Russia. The import Of all cattle, except hor
SEES, mules and donkeys, also the import OF all
animal produce, except milk, butter and
cheese, Is strictly prohibited Fresh fodder
straw manure hair brstles and clothes which
have been worn are likewise prohibited artl.
Giles, although the importation is allowed I'M
der certain conditions, and on application to
the veterinary surgeon and commissioner off
the frontier
In England agricultural prospects at the
close of the year are good, so far as the condi.
ton of the young crops is concerned, for ev.
erythlng has come up well and looks strong
and healthy. Prices for stores are still low
and the demand very limited but fat stock
have sold well at the Christmas markets
which, in many instances, have been but in. !
supplied with best quality beef and
mutton. With regard to contagious diseases
Of ANIMALS, farmers prospects are anything
hut good, for flock masters have TO deal with a
affection of the f1uke parasite, |
which will he certain to cause very serious
losses during The season. The floods Of the
past week, and the mild temperature for the
time al year. are ootn IN taVor ol spreading
the emhryOs of the parasite over otherwise
sound ground. and the constant succession of
floods since summer, following last years &C
ressIon of fluk, disease has rendered the ex |
icnsive spreading Of the disease a certainty.
Fnotard mouth disease is by this time nearl,
all over the country, and the stock breeders
interest IS once more in great peril; in fact, II
has received another check which will be fell
or some time to come. SO that the agriculiu-'