The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

THE FARMERS' CIRCLE. t» (BY ONE WITHIN'IT.) When what are called half-meated beasts sell so badly, and really well-fed animals fetch capital prices, it seems a pity farmers do not take some pains to finish them off properly. With roots now available, a few bags of Indian meal would often nearly double the value of beasts; and who would be without meal, or, indeed, any other pure feeding stuffs, when it can be obtained direct from the mill at wholesale price through the Stores which Mr Bather (of' Morda Steam and Water Mills) has estab- lished in Newtown? We are glad to ob- serve from the enormous trolly loads which are continually passing into the Stores that many of the farmers of this district largely avail themselves of the excellent opportunity thus placed within their reach. Mr H. Gardner, President of the Board of Agriculture, has consented to visit Os- westry to-morrow (Wednesday), to address a conference of agriculturists of the dis- trict in the afternoon, at which it is ex- pected that a large number of farmers and others interested in the land question from Shropshire and the bordering Welsh coun- ties will be present; and also a public meet- ing at night, convened by the Oswestry Liberal and Radical Association. As an agricultural authority, Mr Clare Sewell Read stands in the forefront of his generation. His nam6, indeed, is associated with so much that is heard and read by practical farmers that he is hardly ever thought of as one of themselves. But Mr Read is himself a practical farmer of the most unassuming type. He spends most of his time-since he retired from St. Stephen's, where he represented the county of Nor- folk for many years-on his farm at Honing- ham Thorpe. He has also another farm in the county to which he devotes a great deal of personal care and attention. Than uoiuDgQazn xnorpe, it would be dimcuit to find a more desirable holding. It is level in surface, and skilfully laid out,being sub- divided by neatly-trimmed hedges and well. kept ditches and roads. The land on Honingham Thorpe is chiefly of a loamy texture, rather heavy, but well- nourished and productive. It grows good crops as a rule, both in bulk and quality. But it is well-cared for. Mr Read is a thorough believer in liberal manuring and seasonable cultivation. His land is as well- nourished as it is clean. There is a magni- ficent crop of roots on it this year, which ap- pear fresh and still to be growing, while the pastures were good and well stocked with cattle, and the stack-yard moderately well filled. The farm is well fitted with build- ings—commodious and modern in structure. The cattle courts are covered, and are lofty, big, and airy, while the arrangement of the other portions of the steadiug leave little to be desired. Mr Read feeds a large number number of cattle and sheep, for which, being well-bred and fattened young, he finds a ready market. The statistical tables showing acreage under crops and grass and the number of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs in the United Kingdom have just been issued by the Board of Agriculture. During the year ended June 5, 1893, 165,260 acres were withdrawn from arable cultivation, and oon- verted into pasture, with its lesser demand for labour. Of corn crops—under which head are included wheat, barley, oats, rye, beans, and peas—the area was diminished to the extent of 157,521 acres, this follow- ing upon a previous decrease of 114,808 acres in 1892, as compared with 1891. Thus, in the two years, the United Kingdom has lost 262,329 acres of its corn-growing area, so that a great displacement of labour must have resulted. A suggestion worthy of consideration was made la^t week at a meeting of the Scottish Chamber of Agriculture by the President, Mr Hugh Lindsay, Meadowfiat, in the course of his opening remarks. The suggestion, which was received with applause, was to the effect that the Royal Commission on Agricultural Depression should recommend to the Queen to confer a new star or order, or other high mark of distinction, upon those proprietors who had done most in en- couraging their tenants to develope to the utmost the natural resources to their estates In view of the competition from royalty downwards for the chief prizes at their National Cattle Shows, it was surely not too much to expect that these badges of honour would become popular, and that the green ribbon land would become more highly valued than the blue ribbon of the Garter. The victories of Peace are surely as great as those of War, and there is ample room for encouragement in the direction indicated. JUSTICE TO THE HOME PRODUCER. Among the various other important matters touched upon in his useful address at Paisley, Mr Gillespie made timely and appropriate reference to the transit of home-produced goods. He called attention anew to the great injustice to which British farmers are subjected at the hands of the railway companies. jb or several years past this has been a prolific source of just com- plaint, but, curiously enough, the dissentient feeling has never grown beyond the rudi- mentary stage of complaint. No definite action has been formulated for the abate- ment or the abolition of the injustice. Far- mers may probably be guilty of the charge of being ready and persistent grumblers, but they certainly cannot accurately be accused of being hasty or determined in acting. It is full time their great griev- ance against the railway companies was taking some definite and substantial shape. They may have grumbled loud and long, and may continue to do so still, regarding the partiality of railway rates but never in time will the desired point be gained in so flimsy a fashion. United and precipitate action is what is demanded. If thp railway companies persist in remaining obdurate against all direct appeals, the aid of Parliament must be invoked. Rural members of Parliament can be compelled, at the risk of losing their seats, to support the needed reform. Let worthless party politics take a back seat for a time, so that all agri- cultural constituencies may return represen- tatives who know and can feel what is best for the landed interest, and all such will quickly realise the tremendous injustice now meted out to home-grown or home- made articles on transit. The foreigner has P-aioyAlthe good graces of the railway companies long enough. Surely the direc- tors of these gigantic concerns will not re- fuse to extend their indulgencies to their countrymen, and to aid in encouraging home industries and advancing home prosperity. As we have so frequently stated before, there is no desire to create a material dimi- nution of profits from the transit of agricul- tural produce. What is actually required, and what assuredly will shortly be sternly demanded, is common justice in proportion- ating the rates of carriage of home and foreign produce. Fair honest treatment is all the British producers ask, and such treatment they are justly entitled to do all in their power to enforce. JAGRTCULTTTR VL KENRIWPJ .Th chie.f. features of the returns are with regard to wheat, in that there is an increase of 393 acres in Montgomeryshire and of 80 in Radnorshire, though still far less than the acreage of 1891. At the same time there is a considerable decrease in every part of the kingdom. Of barley 150 acres more were sown in Radnorshire, only 8 more in Montgomeryshire. England alone shews an increase, while the other nation- alities all shew a decreased area. Oats are an increase in both these counties as well as in other portions of the kingdom. The other cereals are of comparatively little account. Potatoes vary but little, while swedes and turnips shew a slight increase. There is a generally reduced acreage sown with mangolds, but Montgomery has an increase from 265 to 340 acres. Of rotative grasses there was a general decrease, but a steady increase of permanent pasture. Of horses of all classes there is a slight increase in Montgomery, a decrease in Radnorshire and in Wales as a whole, but an increase in the other parts of the kingdom. In cattle there is a general decrease throughout the kingdom, but we are pleased to state that this county ha3 an increase of 770 in all but as there are 728 Jess cows there must be an increase of 1498 in-going cattle under two years. There are nearly two millions loss sheep in the United Kingdom and this decline seems to be uniform throughout the various countries. In fdct there is only Cardiganshire in Wales and a few Scotch counties that record an increase in their flocks. Of pigs, there is a small increase in Montgomery; there are le8s in England, but more in the other portions of the king- dom, and the grand total being an increase of about 12,000, but it mast not be foi-gotten that there was a decrease of over a million in the previous year. I I TOTAL ACREAGE under ALL KINDS OF CROPS. BARic FALLOW, and GRASS. Con, j™!«* C»P»- TEY.. Total C Potatoes •? Turnips and Swedes I Mangold Total Clover and Glrasses under Rotation Permanent Pasture ot grass MONTGOMERY. II "RADNOR. 1893. 1892. I 1893. I 1892. Acres, Acres. Acres, 4rret j 276,189 272,727 169,217 167,938 11,420 11,027 3,533 3.453 9,083 9,075 3,817 3,663 23,498 22,759 12,689 12,249 43.981 42,861 20,439 19,365 2,294 2,287 954 973 8,000 7,872 5,838 5,723 340 265 35 55 j 10.634 10,424 6,827 6,751 | "28,812"" 31,022 14,116 13,625 I -190,514 185,919 127,401 127,032 Horses us*d solely for Aifi iculture Unbroken Horses oo, ,oo Mares kept solely for Breeding Total of Horses .$. (Jows and Heifers in Milk or in Calf Other Cattle-Two years and above „ One year and under two „ Under one year Total of Cattle Ewes kept for Breeding Other Sheep—One year and above „ Under one year Total of Sheep »•« Total of Pigs It* Ml Ml MONTGOMERY. RADNOR. 1892. 1892. 1893. 1892. No. No. No. No. 7.281 7,458 i 4.110 4,1" 6,840 6,675 I 4.478 4,63:2 I 1,488 1.389 I 1,295 1,301 15,609 15,522 9.883 10,065 23,314 24.042* 10,224™" 10,776 15,525 15,374 8.398 8,369 e|w } 73,351 72,581 33,662 33,961 136,364 ") n»A iqi 89,838 ") 123,842 274)131 100,796$iy7'0dl 126,002 129,069 82,497 84,203 386,208 403,200 272,631 281,234 19,562 19,299 4,304 4,347 PRODUCE THE BEST. This was the high-sounding advice the Rev John Gillespie offered to his agricul- tural audience at Paisley the other vening. And the counsels that were left with the Renfrewshire farmers may be applied with equal appropriateness to the agricultural world at large. Mr Gillespie repudiated the idea that British farming can regain its former flourishing condition by any attempt to extend the cultivated area, or to increase the production by any other means. That theory and its advocates he dispose o- with the sweeping remark that it wu* generally the case that the expressions of those people werw strong according to the mAHsure^ of their ignorance." That was, indeed, plain speaking, and possibly it was not altogether without warrant. At the present time, in fact, everything seems to support the rev. gentleman's assertion. It is maintained that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of acres now under cultivation at a loss to ] the cultivator, and these unhappy circum- stances decidedly point to a diminution of the ploughed area. But if the foregoing statement is liable to be called in question, Mr Gillespie completely defied adverse criti- cism when he urged his farmer hearers to devote their efforts to the production of the best class of whatever article they were to place upon the market. There are no two opinions as to the soundness of that advice. It is, perhaps, in this direction more than in any other that the British farmer has allowed the foreigner to displace him, whereas it is just on this very point that he should have guarded against foreign com- petition and foreign success. The British producer has been guilty of the grave error of expecting to meet the invaders on the lower level, while the latter have studiously been preparing for the loftier position, an ambition they have succeeded in seeing realised' There is no getting away from the fact that we have, by resting thoughtlessly on the liberal success of the moment, allowed our foreign opponents to walk over our heads into highest favour with the most remunerative class of consumers. That remark applies more particularly to products of the diary, although in respect to other articles we have not been sufficiently mind- ful of home interests. It is, therefore, the home producer that must play the part of the attacking force now, and, needless to say, if a successful issue is to be attained, it will be found a more arduous task than that of defending. Undoubtedly the new road to agricultural prosperity lies in the direction Mr Gillespie indicated. The first tep is to improve the quality of all home-produced articles. The prices paid by a class of consumer sufficiently numerous to utilise most of the home-grown articles are quite high enough to render the work of production remunerative. What we have to strive after and obtain is the cat- ering for these liberal-paying consumers. Meantime, and for some years back, what- ever our ambition, comparatively little of the home-made article has succeeded in find- ing its way on to the tables of the classes who, regardless of price, demand the best of everything." It is foreign competition that we may have to battle with, and strive and struggle as we may, never until we can excel our stubborn rivals in catering for the consumers' palate will British agriculture enjoy a return to anything like its former prosperity. If we should succeed in ousting the foreigner from the first place in the mar- ket, and obtain impartial treatment from railway companies, we would not be long in having to record an increased cultivated area in this country. Enhanced prices, and that alone, will keep the plough going, and all depends upon the result of our perpetual warfare with foreign producers.

IT TOUCHES THE SPOT. Aye, that is what Homocea does. And does it quickly, too—whether it's a toothache or neu- ralgia, with all their shooting pains, or eczema with its painful and distressing irritation-or piles that make thousands of lives wretched. Rheumatism in the joints or muscles has been cured even of years' standing—while for cuts, burns and bruises, its far, very far ahead of any ointment that has ever been put before the public. HOMOCEA VERSUS RINGWORM CURED. Hoylake, August 10, 1893. Dear Sirs,—I want to thank you for that won- derful preparation—Homocea, which we use for about everything; but lately my little girl had a bad ringworm on the head, and my doctor said her hair would have to be cut close. But I pre- ferred using the Homocea, and in four days it was quite well, and the doctor said I ought to give you a testimonial, and I think so too, and send you this, hoping it may aid you in making Homocea better known.—Yours truly, M. A T.rmim. HOMOCEA veusus PILES. The Rectory, Kilcullen, Newbridge, 27)tii July, 1893. Gentlemen,—Kindly send me a box of Homocea Ointment. I fnui the box you sent me has almost evired me of bleeding piles, for which I am grate- ful to you and iiiaiiki ul to God for such a dis- covery,—Yours, &c., W. H. HAhON. HOMOCEA VERSUS RHEUMATISM. Glendalough, U& thdrum, County Wicklow, August, 2, 1893. Gentlemen,—I enclose Is. stamps. l'tease send me one box of Homocea. I have never got Mnvth.ii' to give reiiei for rheumatism until I tried HoKiooea. Mrs. ESXKKR DOLAN. HEADACHE, TOOTHACHE, BRUISES, &e. 143, Queen'a-rcad, Liverpool, August 8tb, 1893, Dear Sirs,I nm very glad to be able to testify to the great value of Homocea in very severe heftdai:hes and for toothache, also for bruises and ems—iu fact it is such a wonderful medicine vine can hardly say what it is not good for. I recommend it wherever I go. I should add it lias cured a friend of piles. I wish you all success in a remedy that benefits all.—Yours respectfully, Captain HOPPER. Barge Belta. Homocea is sold by most chemists at Is. lid and 2s. 9d. per box, or will be sent post free OJ, receipt of stamps to I 21, HAMILTON SQUARE, BIRKENHEAD.

MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S SIS rER. The Liberals of Loughborough are now largely signing a memorial to Mr Gladstone, owing to the opposition of the Conaervativas to the election of the new mayor of Loughborough on the ground that he had recently married hia deceased wife's sister. They point out that his Worship was lately nominated to the Civic Chair by the practically unanimous suff- rages of his colleagues of every poiitical party but that as soon as he married the sister of his deceased wife he was held to be morally disqualified, not by essential wrongfulness of the act, hot simply by his disregard of that which is still, however, indefensibly the law of the land. The memorialists accordingly hold that the ratentiou of the law is a serious injustice and even a public scandal; but that it is maintained owing solely to the obstructive tactics of a very small number who cannot otaim to speak in the name of any considerable section of the people. The memorialists hold, in short, that the law has lost the respect of the people at large; that it0 viola- tion should no longer be a bar to the exercise of magisterial or other functions, however dignified, or important, and that the Government should at once pnt an end t"1 the confiics between the law and the sentiment of the country at large by giving to the United Kingdom the same liberty tw regards these marriages which, with the sanction of the Cro wn, is already enjoyed by almost every other portion of the British Empire.

THROAT IRRITATION AND Couau.-Sorenew and dryness, tickling and irritation, inducing cough and affecting the voice. For these symptoms use Epps's Glycerine Jtijabea. In contact with the glands at fcho moment they are excited by the act of isucking, the Glycerine in these agreeable confections becomes actively h' aling. Sold only in boxes, 71d., tins Is. lid., labelled" JAMES EFFS A Co.. Homoeopathic Chemists, London." Dr. Moore, in his work on Nose and Throat Diseases," says "The Glycerine Jujubes prapaied by James Eppa & Co., are of undoubted service as a curative or palliative agent," while Dr. Gordon Holmes, Senior Physician to the Municipal Thro«.t aad Eir Infirmary, writes After an exten- ded trial, I have found your Glycerine Jujubes of considerable benefit in almost all forma of threat dis- ease. I"

-— MARKETS. PROVISIONS. NEWTOWN GENERAL, TUESDAY. s. d. s. cL Wheat, per 2401bs 13 OtoOO O Ditto (old) 0 0 0 (J Barley, p^r 70lbs 0 0 0 a Oats, per 20ibs is 0 19 6 Eggs, 7 to 0 1 0 OO Butter, per lb 1 4 0 a Fowls, par couple 3 9 4 9 Turkeys, each 0 0 0 (I Ducks, PR" couple 0 0 5 6 Geese, each 6 0 õ 6 Potatoes, per cwt 3 0 a & Rabbits, per couple 110 2 ø Beef, per lb 0 3 a a Mutton, per lb 0 5 O « Lamb, per lb 0 6 Oft Pork, per lb 0 6 0 7" Yeal per lb 0 0 0 6 Bacon Pigs, per lb 0 0 O 5jt WELSHPOOI. GENERAL, MONDAY. 8. d. a. 4L Wheat, per 751bs 4 Oto-4 3 Barley, per 70lbs 4 3 4 co Oats 00 0 15 9 Eggs, 8 to 1 0 0 9 Butter, per lb 13 14 Fowls, per couple 4 0 5 0 Ducks, per couple 4 6 6 9 Rabbits, per couple 2 0 2 4r Beef, per lb 0 4 0 S Mutton, per lb 0 6 0 ft Pork, per lb 0 0 a (p Veal, per lb 0 6 0 7 Lamb, per Ib 0 7 Oft OaWaSTBY G-BNBSAI,, WEDNESDAY. s. <L gL J- White wheat, per 751bs 4 2 to 4 & Red ditto, per 75lbs 4 0 4k 4 Barley, malting per 280lbs 17 0 200 Oats, per 2J0lbs 13 0 14 01 Fresh butter, per lb 1 3 14 Eggs, 7 to 8 10 00 .9 Fowls, per couple 4 0 á 6 Ducks, per couple 5 0 Geese, each 6 6 ft 9 Turkeys, each 0 0 00 Rabbits, per couple 2 4 3 5 Potatoes, per cwt 2 3 2 & SHBEWSBURY GKNBBAI., SATURDAY*. d. s. dL Fresh butter per lb I 2 to 1 .5 Eggs, 7 to 8 1 0 0 ø Fowls, per couple 3 6 4 0 Ducks, per couple 5 0 & 0 Geese, each 7 0 3 (9 Turkeys, each 6 0 1 (f Rabbits, per couple 2 0 2 4 Pigeons, per couple 0 0 0 O Potatoes, per cwt. 2 6 3 9 Cabbages, per dozen Broccoli, per dozen 3 0 4r 0 Carrots, per cwt. 3 6 0 9 Apples, per quarter 0 3 0-6 Pears, per quarter 0 4 OS CORN. LONDON, MONDAY.—Wheat: The cargo market is extremely dull, and in many cases there is evid- ence of an easier tendency. Russian wheats am about unchanged, but sellers are more disposed e. operate. The weakness is attributable to Satar- day's decline in America, and the advance quoted in to-day's opening cable has had little effect. sales have been recorded and bids are exceedingly soarce. Maize on passage is firmly held with a moderate inquiry, but forward positions are dull. and lower to sell. No actual business has been re- ported for cargoes. Barley is steady with varøe. about unchanged. Oats are quiet with mieew about unalt red. Beans steady but inactive. Aft Mark Lane the attendance was thin and businew was dull and featurelpra. TiWTi'.l, _I. 1 t TII ftUÇAU juhcb- iv very slow sale at about last Monday's rates. F«- eign sorts were mostly 3d to 6d lower to sell witik a poor demand. Flour was steady for AmeiKSHB bakers, but otherwise it was neglected onr. Oats were somewhat cheaper, with very trade. Mixed American was not offered. Tv-ruV-? sorts were unchanged. Barley was qoiefe, lntSu grinding kinds 3d. down on the week. BeaafeaaA peas dull. MANCHESTER, THURSDAY.—There is no iJa. provement to note during the past week in the course of trade, which has remained extremely inactive, without much variation in values. The attendance at to-day's market was poor, ana business restricted. Wheat, both English an& foreign, had a slow sale at previous sales; fear quiet and unaltered; oats and beans repeat Jøsf; week's quotations; peas l-id Der cental lower; maize, with moderate inquiry, was steadily heØ. for last Thursday's figures. BIRMINGHAM, THURSDAY.—Steady trade for English and foreign wheat, at about late rales. Grinding barley 3d lower. Maize, oats, aiyifrptn" unchanged. DEAD MEAT. LONDON, MONDAY.—The supply of prime mmat was very limited, and very little difficulty waff ex- perienced in finding buyers at quotations altbofajrfc the trade generally was bad, and of all otherdfe- criptions a clearance could not be made at anjprus Latest quotations. Inferior beef, 2s Od to 2s &L; middling ditto, 2s 10d to 3s 2d.; prime ditto 3B 411 to 4s Od.; Scotch ditto, 3s 10d to 4s 2d Ameri- can Liverpool killed, best, 3s 5d to 3s 6d; ditto second, 3s 2d to 3s 3d; ditto hind-quarters, 3s 64 to 4s Od; ditto forequarters, 2s Od to 2s 4d. English veal 3s 4d to 4s 8d; Dutch ditto 2s 8d to 4s 4d inferior mutton, 2s 4d to 3s Od middKmr ditto 3s 2d to 3s 8d prime ditto, 4s Od to 4s 44; Scotch ditto, 4s 4d to 4s 8d New Zealand 2s 4d to 2s 8d; lambs 4s Od to 48 4d; large pork 3s 8d to 4s Od small ditto, 4s 4d to 5s.. pear 81b. by the carcase. CATTLE. BIRMINGHAM, THURSDAY.—Beef, 51<1 to 70;; mutton, Old to 8id. Sheep a. good supply. The trade in beasts slow. LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—The supply of stool: am much less than last Monday. The demand watt slow for cattle, and prices except for prime quality the turn in favoar of buyers. Sheep trade slcnr Prices for prime quality rather better, other sorCff unchanged. The Christmas market will he hett on Monday, December 1]. Beef, first class, 6|dL f second class, 5td.; third class 44d. per lb.; Seotds mutton 8d to 6d, and Irish mutton 7td to lid. per lb. Live weight cattle, 34s. to 23s per ewt. LONDOV, MONDAY.—The total imports of fbrelgnt stock into London last week amounted to 2*314 head. Without being active, the cattle trade has been well maintained. Beasts were in moderate supply, but as usual, choice stock was scarce. A- slow demand prevailed. Choice breeds were firm and quite -is dear. The best Scots made k. Herefords and Norfolks 4s lOd to 5d and heavy- Lincolns 4s 4d to 4s 8d per 8lb. Medium qualities were in respect at steady prices. Thera was a very short Rupply in the pens. The trade was very firm in consequence and prices tendered against the buyer. The best 8 J and 9-stone, Downs made 5s 8d 10-stone 5s 4d to 5s 6d; 10-stome half breds, 5s 2d to 5s 4d; 12-stone Lincolns, 4s 84 to 5s per 81b. Calves were steady, ani choice qualities realised full currencies. Pigs wereduBL at about late rates. WOOL. LEICESTER, MONDAY There is no change Thursday either as regards wool or ylrus far local consumption. BRADFORD, MONDAY.—There is still no chnncv in the featarets of this market, although the settle- ment of the coal dispute, which ha.s for many week» been regarded as one of the causes of the dullness of the market, has created a somewhat more cheerful feeling. Buyers of wool still hold bacfic what little business they h,-ve to offer in the hepe of further concession?, but there is little disposi- tion on the part of holders to give way, and gpm- erally speaking it may be said that they are firtø in their quotations for all descriptions. Their re- mains almost a iotVi 7,t(-Ic of business in moh»r> aDd alpaca is unchanged. BRADFORD, THU^SU^Y.—There is no improve- ment to note in this market. The demand for English wo.'l continues quiet all round at late rates, and lot > nvs are also slow of sale with, if anything & weakening tendency. Mohair flat alpaca firm. There are no signs of izaprovemext lyefc in the general trade..