The Sun. — 1870-08-23 (London, England)

THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS.  Reviewing the harvest work of the last w eek the Magnet says it has again been rapidly. proceeded with, no untoward circumstance having transpired to check operations. With a few isolated exceptions the grain has been secured in Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, and all counties more southerly situated, and it seems more than probable that with another fortnight of dry weather the harvest in these isles will have been brought to a conclusion under most favourable auspices. Nothing has transpired since we last wrote to alter our opinion as to the ultimate yield of the crops. We are still disposed to maintain that the growth of wheat per acre, although very variable, is still up to the average. One fact, however, which will probably influence values to some extent, must not be lost sight of, namely, that the low prices current for weat since last harvest, and the comparative high range in the currencies of spring corn caused farmers to place less land under wheat than usual, therefore the actual quantity of grain secured cannot be called an average crop. One decided feature in fay our of this year's growth is the plumpness and dryness of the grain rendering it immediately available for the market. Further accounts with reference to the spring corn crops do not lead us to alter our opinion that it will fall considerably short of the average. Roots generally are well spoken of, and despite the late severe drought, a good crop of man,golds and swedes will be got in, and will thus assist in relieving the expense likely to be incurred by graziers and breeders, during the winter months, through the failure of the hay crop. The pastures and meadow lands have slightly improved, but there is still a great scarcity of food for stock. According to Bell's Weekly Messenger we have been particularly fortunate this year as regal' Is the weather during the harvest season. The crops have been carried with great rapidity, and the harvest in England may now be regarded as completed. Wheats have been generally secured in excellent condition ; so much so that in some instances thrashing has at once been proceeded with, and the produce has been sent direct to market. Cases have occurred where carrying has been retarded in consequence of frequent and heavy storms, but these are exceptional, and the subsequent dry weather has remedied any damage that otherwise resulted. Even now, notwithstanding the somewhat liberal supplies of new produce sent forward, it is hazardous to venture a final opinion upon the results of the crop. The account received from different parts of the country vary greatly ; but the yield, as we have already pointed out, has chiefly depended upon the character of the soil and the time of sowing. When large quantities of wheat have been thrashed out we shall be better able to judge of the result of the harvest ; but the opinions we have expressed all along appear to have been amply verified so far. The new wheats exhibited at Marklane have beep. of good quality and in excellent condition, and the supplies have been rather large. The barley crop is very irregular, and oats are very deficient : these two may be regarded as the worst crops of the year, though some excellent samples of barley have come under our notice. Beans and peas are deficient, though less so than was at one time anticipated. The Mark Lane Express says the weather in the midland and southern counties during the past week has been all that could be desired for the har vest, but towards the close there were heavy rains in Yorkshire, threatening the outstanding crops, and farmers were consequently less disposed to offer their samples in the expectation of better prices. Wheat has been falling in France while flour has been rising at Paris, from the scarcity of the manafactured article, and shews plainly enough the fear of a Prussian advance upon an unprovided city. Prices generally throughout Europe have been gradually tending downwards, and supplies are coming freely to Odessa, but the fall here and in France is likely to check heavy shipments. The weather hitherto has been as favourable to Prussia as the war, and though the want of hands must delay the gathering, they may yet be saved in good condition ; but should a peace be speedily, concluded, we do not anywhere find so great an abundance as to sanction the return to very low prices.  The Orchestra learns from private sources that the parting scene between the King of Denmark and the Princess of Wales lately, was heartrending. The Corriere del Campo of Naples publishes a despatch from Palermo, announcing that Joseph Mazzini has been transferred'on board a ship of war, where he is to await the decision of the Minister. The marriage of Mr. George Sackville Frederick Lane Fox, eldest son of Mr. George Lane Fox, of Bramham Park, and Miss Slade, daughter of General Marcus Slade, is arranged to take place on the 10th of next month. The petition against the return of Mr. Gwynne Holford, recently elected for Brecon, in the room of Lord Clarendon, has been duly presented, and the recognisances entered into for prosecuting it. It is not expected to be heard before October. The North German Lloyd's Company have issued a circular, expressing a belief that the success of the German army will shortly enable them to publish the dates of departure of their ships for New York, Baltimore, New Orleans, Havannah, Japan, and China. Mr. Thomas Parsons, barrister-at-law, who has from time to time been addressing a number of extraordinary letters to her Majesty the Queen, under the nom de plume of " The Washerwoman of INlelbourne," has committed suicide at Melbourne in a very singular manner.