Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1877-08-04 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

BRITISH AND FOREIGN CORN TRADE.  The "Mark Lane Express" says :—Although variable both as regards temperature and dryness the-Feather during the past week has been more favourable for maturing the cereal crops, and the showers which have fallen have benefited barley and oafs without doing any material damage to the wheat plant. As harvest approaches more numerous reports as to the present condition and probable result of the wheat crop have come to hand, and the general tenor of such reports is decidedly against an average yield. Complaints are made from many of the principal wheat growing districts that the ears do not appear to have fully developed, and the topsets have been rendered barren by blight or mildew. Dissatisfaction is not, however, universally expressed, although in no cases are we given to expect an abundant yield. Llarvesting may begin in about a week's time, but should the nights continue as cold as they have been of late, it will probably be the second week in August before it becomes general. The prospects of barley and oats ye poor, both here and on the continent, of the former especial- ' ly„to the plant being naturally too delicate to hold its own against the wretched weather it had to encounter during the spring. The root crop promises highly, mangolda especially, there being no deficiency of plant, but it is rather too soon to say much about turnips, as the crop is yet in its earliest stages. Irish advicea about potatoes are unfortunately, less favourable than they were a week or two ago, and some indications of disease have shown themselves in the tubers. When it is considered that a continuance of seasonable Weather; has not been experienced at any time this year, it is not surprising that agricultural prospects generally are unsatisfactory, those of cereals in particular. Steadiness has been the leading feature in the grain trade throughout the , country during the past week, notwithstanding the continuance of heavy foreign imports, whose depressing action on business has been more than neutralised by the less promising aspect of the  home crops and the uneiunness cjnsequent upon the unsettled state of politics. The probability of this country being drawn into the struggle between Russia and Turkey has been forced upon our attention of late, and unlikely aa it is to be hoped the prospect may be yet, if the Baltic should become the scene of hostilities, the door will be practically closed upon Rnsaian supplies which could not fail materially to affect the position of the trade. The main feature of the week has been the sanguine estimates which' have been foreshadowed of the American wheat crop, and although it is obvious that reliance cannot at present be placed upon the figures, yet it seems clear that there is at least the promise of abundance. This fact cannot fail to be of importance, haring regard to the diminished power of Russia to forward her alma' supplies, and may tend to keep prices on a more moderate level than at one time seemed likely. The sales of English wheat noted last week were 21,782 quarters at 63s 8d against 18,154 quarters at 48s 3d in the previous year.  The *ld el the atentons and Mho Rhodes OD the °barge et murder is filed for the sessions of the °sated Criminal t)oart an August 7th.  George Barker. who on Thura, sd was sentwommi to Sou p peal an' otwvitaide as Leo& Assisi*, his MM. Edited mini& it inctley Gaol by hanging himself with his hal-sfamp in his oelL  Oa Tuesday aft.rDoon. Os ceremony of laying b. feariation stone of • Freemasons' toot place IA Bernard Castle.  Lewin AT Bcrra.,.-On Wednesday morning, an inquest was bald before Mr R. Y. Green, at the Statioa Hotel, Waterloo, Blyth, on the body of a child, four years of age, ion of 1k B. Ellison, Cowpen Colliery, who died on the previous day, from injuries received in a drain used to convey the waste steam water from Clowpen Colliery, the drain being oven at the time for the purpose of being repaired. Verdict—" Death from scolds accidentally received."  A miners demonstration of a somewhat unusual character took place, amid great rejoicings, at Byhope Oolliery, on Tuesday, on the occasion of the release from Durham Gaol of Mr William Prentice, the president of the local Miners' Union, who was convicted at the last Durham Sessions of having I intimidated John Goodman, a non-unionist, and I sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment.