Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

12 articles on this Page

AORIC XTTTJLRAL INTELLIGENCE.…

News
Cite
Share

AORIC XTTTJLRAL INTELLIGENCE. I I (From the North British Agriculturist.) I ESTIMATE OF THE YIELD OF THE CROP, 1858. The Mark Lane Express contains reports from cor- respondents in the different counties of England and Wales as to the crops. The reports are brought down to I November 22 The following is the leading article ou the I information supplied:- Very recently we dwelt on the state of the Corn Trade, with the Tiew of showing as far as possible the probable MUM. that have operated in produce the .?g?t-on ?h has preyed duri?tb? last four months. Fore- most amongst those we placed, as the most palpable, the abundance of the crops of wheat and potatoes, the latter of which ha?e to a considerable extent-for reasons which we ?U ?.ent)y .fate-taken the place of the ?er in the consumption of the country whilst, on the other hand, the supply of English wheat, although by no means excessive, has been found quite adtquate to the demand. This tiew of the question has been since fully confirmed by the returns we have obtained, in replies to circulars addressed to leading men, from nearly three hundred different districts, embracing every county in England and Wales, and relating to crops of every description. A detailed account of these .ill be found classified and arran- ged in a oubte Supplement of to-day. It must be borne in mind that this Table is made up to the time of our going to press. It is consequently impossible to give here more than a general deduction, although we may here- after enter on a minute analysis of the opinions with "hieh we have been favoured. To begin with THB WHBAT CROP.—The majority declare an average or full average crop a lesser proportion above an average and one solitary-county or so under an average. Some of the district advices state this is fully made up by an ex- cess on the strong lands. In these cases we have put them under the column of Average." Norfolk is the only exception to this. We have, therefore, placed that county under the list of both Average" and "Under average," the light lands having suffered severely from the beat in June. Assuming, therefore, that an average crop will produce sixteen million quarters, we may fairly esti- mate the late crop at eighteen million quarters, or about one-eighth more than an average. If we add to this a full average importation of foreign wheat in the ten months of the year, we cannot be surprised that, with a diminisbed consumption in consequence of the heavy crop and excel- fent quality of the potatoes, the trade in wheat should have ruled dull. We should add, a. another cause, the fine ?uaHty of the wheat this season, and the very excellent .?dit!on in which it was harvested; by which a large yield of flour is produced. BARLBY —The reports of this grain are unfavourable, both i to yield and quality. ^e quantity of malting barley must therefore be nece?anty denc.ent; and unless the importations of .h?t description are large, or the malt- Iters substitute wheal, it ispbabte that maltmg barley "ill rule high throughout the .e?on. QaT8 This crop is equally deficient with the barley and the quality also, as far as the reports go, is stated to be very light and inferior. The deficiency here, again must be very great, and the demand for the country dis- tricts will also continue large throughout the season And, notwithstanding the late heavy and unprecedented im- portations of oats into London, they are far from being, sufficient to cover the falling off. There is, therefore, no probability of this grain being reduced in price, but rather advanced, as soon as the northern ports are closed by the ftost. BBANS AND PEAS.-Generally speaking, the cmps of both these are bad, the latter being the worse of the two. It is proper to state that the winter beans are the only crops of that pulse that afford even a moderate yield and these form the exception to the general rule. Of peas, a few counties report them to be partially good only, all the rest representing the crop to be a total failure, chiefly owing to the prevalence of the aphides We have now the anomalous fact before us of a higher average for beans than for wheat, the general averages for the six weeks ending Nov. 6th being, wheat 42s 8d and beans 449. THE TURNH* CROP.—Taking England throughout, the returns on'the whole are very bad indeed. The late sown, however, are by far the beat and some sown after peas or oats will be a full crop of bulbs, but small in size, although sound. The early Swedes are represented as destroyed by the fly, or the black canker," or the mildew, and as being II the worst crop upon the whole ever remembered." The exceptions are a few isolated districts or parts of counties where rain fell during the snmmer. MANGOLD WURZEL.—This is an unusually good crop, with scarcely an exception in more than 260 reports. We are glad to learn also that the cultivation of this most valuable root is annually increasing. The goodness of it this season will in some measure make up for the loss of the turnip crop but still the want of the latter will be seriously felt, especially by the flockmasters, and those jgraiiers who depend upon it for spring feeding. POT-AToBs.-The crops are universally good both in quantity and quality, the breadth sown also being greater than for the last ten years. We have, however, to state as a drawback, that in many counties the fatal disease has appeared, generally after the crop has been raised but the extent to which it prevails is not so great-in but few instances equal to one-third, and in most cases very slightly. This has, nevertheless, caused a much larger quantity than usual to be taken to market whilst they were useable for the table. The price being proportionably low, the consumption has been unusually great, and has taken the place of bread with the working classes. It is pro- bable that a full average quantity of this root will be saved for a supply at a reasonable price throughout the season, especially if we receive the usual importations from the Rhenish provinces. We now come speak of Wales, where The WHEAT crop of the principality is represented on the whole as a full average one in quantity and quality. BARLEY.—This crop also is fully an average in quantity, and the sample is generally good. OATS.—The general report is that the crop is an average one, and where not injured by the rains, the quality is very good. BEANS AND PEAS.—But few returns. Beans under an average in some cases a failure. Peas considerably under an average, or an entire failure. TURNIPS AND MANGOLD WURZBL.—Both these are generally speaking, good, and above an average in quality. POTA Toss.-The reports all agree that the crops of this root are very heavy, the quality fine, and the disease very slightly developed. It will be seen that in respect to spring corn and green or root crops the returns from Wales differ materially from, and are far more favourable than, those in England. This is accounted for by the greater quantity of rain falling in a mountainous country, as was the case last season in the Principality. As a consequence, the crops of spiing corn and turnips suffered but little, whilst in England they were partially destroyed. AGRICULTURAL SOCIAL ECONOMY.-THE PRIZE I AND ALLOTMENT SYSTEMS. Nobody, who has observed with attention the effect pro- duced upon any class by a system of patronage or charity directed towards that class, can hesitate to affirm that the evil largely predominate over the good. The intention of the patrons or donors may be most pure and disinterested. Their benevolence may be free from the shadow of self- seeking. They may afford temporary pleasure, nay actual relief to the recipients of their gifts, yet the tendency and pot remote effect of their system is to break down the self- reliance, and in a great degree the self-respect, of the would-be favoured class. This is notoriously the effect of almsgiving and eleemosynary benefits. Such were the fearful consequences of the system of out-door parish relief initiated during the high prices of food at the end of the last century. Other examples without number might be cited. The systom of giving prizes to agricultural labourers, for skill in some branch of their avocation, or for moral qualities, such as sobriety, honesty, cleanliness, and the like, partaker so largely of patronage and charity, that persons who have noted their evil consequences cannot avoid looking with apprehension at the present manifesta- tion of the almsgiving spirit. The best of it is that it can never have any extensive operation. It is too purely ridiculous to become general. We have been favoured with reports of two meetings in Hampshire, where the prize system seems to have attained somewhat large developments. At the Stockbridge Labourer's Friends' Association," a member of Parlia- ment presided' and clergymen and country gentlemen collected in some force. The successful candidates as- sembled, 112 in number, in the Townhall, where they were addressed by the Chairman and the prizes were distributed. Afterwards they had a dinner at 28 6d per head. A clergy- man, the Honorary Secretary, also addressed them, chiefly Commenting on the incident, that one of the ploughmen who bad earned a great coat at the ploughing match, had forfeited it by getting drunk afterwards. Doubtless it was an occasion to be improved; but it brings out the system somewhat oddly. On looking over the classes in the prize list, we find one class of prizes to ploughmen 11 for the best ploughing." There was another class for teamsmen, the I champion amongst whom bad H.cd 25 yean on one farm "andhadnotretur?d intoxicated during he ^t Onee 7ca, The other prize-winners in that class badh.ed 9, 6, and Si years respectively with their several masters. Nothing is said in their cases about not returning in- toxicated for three years," and possibly they could not compete with 11 the champion" in that particular, But John Ploughman who entered himself for we piouguiuts match, never competed in the class of sober and steady teamsmen possibly he, conscious of his own infirtilities, well knew that he could not come home from market unintoxicated for three )ears, or two or one, so that he made no pretension of that sort. But he thought he couid plough, and the judges awarded him a great coat for his skill in driving a straight furrow. However John's joy at his success having got the better of his discretion, he took a cup too much, forfeited his apparently already won great coat, and became a text for the Rev. Hon. Secretary's dis- course. Now, without excusing John's iniquity, may we ask, was the prize he won given for the best ploughing, or for sobriety ? Plainly for the former. But then the Society, as & censor of morals, said, True, you are the best plo«|baaa and have Won the priM, yet, as you goalt keep yourself sober, we withhold it.' Clearly the Stockbridge Labucrers' Friends' Association have reduced the prize system to a practical absurdity. The greater portion of the other prizes consisted simply of gifts to men and women who had lived for longer or shorter periods on one farm they were mere gifts. ( The Chairman, speaking after dinner, felt the pinch of his case, and met it by denial, saying :—" Their object was not to relieve landlords, farmers, or labourers from any re- sponsibility, but to excite labourers to competition, and to be assured of their steady and industrious habits and in doing this, much depended upon the labourers themselves ) It mattered not however trifling in value the prizes were, if they were given in the mode most applicable. It had a tendency to elevate the labourer in his social position, and become a binding link between one class of society and another. It was not to be considered by the recipients as a charity from those above them, but that those above them can look to their advancement." That any one can seriously imagine the agricultural labourers are to be elevated by such means passes comprehension. ihe prizes of the North-East Hants Agricultural Association" differed little in kind or character from those we have referred to, save that one was in terms a prize for morality. Thus Class F" was for" cottagers above sixty years of age who have the highest character for honesty, industry, and sobriety;" and to six old men were given sums of f2 and £ 1 each. We should like to have seen the judges' note-books as to the details of the difference between E2 and El morality The allotment system offers more tangible and useful results; and the subject was well discussed lately at the London Farmers' Club. Mr. Trethewy, the land agent of Earl de Grey, a great supporter of the allotment system, read an elaborate paper, in which he traced the history, and stated his, or his employer's views on the present uses of that system. After adverting to the universal desire every man has to possess some bit of land, and the pleasure taken in their cottage gardens by many of the rural laboureis, be stated that in 1796 a society was formed for bettering the con- dition of the pooi," under Royal patronage, and one of the principal means relied on by that society consisted of allotments of land to the labouiing population." This society existed and published reports till 1814. It is a fact not mentioned by the lecturer, that this was one of tbe efforts, like out-door relief, made to avoid paying fur labour a price proportioned to the increased cost of pro- visions. In 1830, another perlod of pressure amongst farmers and landowners, and when the evils resulting from Poor Law abuses had become well nigh intolerable, a Labourers' Friend Society" was formed, the main object of which was to obtain "a small poition of land for the labourer at a moderate rent, in addition to the fair price of his labour." The Duke of Bedford, Earl de Grey, and other landed proprietors adopted the system of granting allotments. No great results are stated to have ensued. The lecture then resolved itself into an account of Lord de Grey's allotments, and the statements of the actual manager of them cannot fail to be useful. Mr. Trethewy distinguished this system from cottage gardens, the benefit of which none can doubt. Allotments are set out in some field within reach of the village, and a rood of land seems to be the maximum quantity any labourer can manage with advantage. Few, indeed, can well manage more than half the quantity. The only capital such a man can have consists of spare labour, his over and unemployed time and if the allotment interferes with his regular work for his employer, he soon ceases to retain any regular place, which is the main dependence of working men. This is true, and the only point seems to be whether allotments do really improve the condition of labourers who are fully employed. As to rents and management of allot- ments, he said there was no reason why the labourer should pay more for land than others would give for it, or why he should pay less. If the allotment land is situated near a viliage as it ought to be, the land may assume the value of accommodation land, and of course must be paid for accordingly. On Lord de Grey's estate in Bedfordshire, the rent of the allotment land varied from 32s to 72s per acre, or from 8a to 18s per rood, in- cluding all rates and taxes which are paid, and the gates, stiles, ditches, and watercourses are kept in order by the landlord. There are more than 700 of these allotment tenants, and their rents are paid with great regularity The collection of them occupies five days, and it rarely happens that there are any arrears. The labourers are all anxious to rent these allotments, and numerous ap- plications are made whenever a vacancy occurs. No re- stiictions are imposed, save such as would be imposed on farmers occupying the same land. Mr. Trethewy said :— Some people have an objection to cottagers being allowed to grow wheat, but I cannot say that I have ever found any inconvenience to have arisen from it. I see no reason whatever why such a restriction should be imposed, for a crop of wheat is as much a change to the soil as any other crop, and at times no doubt is profitable, while the straw comes for litter for the pig, and returns to the ground in the shape of manure." Lord de Grey, in every parish where he has allotments, provides a barn for the use of allotment tenants, and they generally arrange amongst themselves as to its use. He did not think that the allot- ment system very materially relieved the poor's rate, the original purpose of its establishment. The rates in parishes containing allotments are about the same as in adjoining parishes. Gardens attached to cottages are not to be had in many places, and the allotments, the lecturer thought, had some special advantages of their own that there is a spirit of emulation raised amongst the allotment holders, and that each man at once benefits by the experience of his neighbours. The land is more easily kept clean in an open field, and the sun and air find full access. Prizes for allotment produce are offered by Lord de Grey, which are thought to have a beneficial effect. Here the system ap- pears to be managed with much judgment and care, and is probably useful in increasing the industry and comforts of the working population. Mr. W. Bennett, admitting the uses, adverted to the abuses of the system. Sometimes unsuitable land was allotted, and at too great distance from the labourers' dwellings, and in such cases the allotment did him great disservice." It added to his toil and harassed his mind without doing him good. Poor clay land might be im proved by spade cultivation, but without any equivalent gain to the labourer. Sometimes the rents exacted for ailotments are so high, that they are worse than useless to the occupiers. In cases where more land was let to a labourer than he could easily manage in his overtime, his master's work was neglected, and he became an unsteady workman, soon losing his regular place. When allotments are skilfully managed, as in the inhtance of Lord de Grey's, they became valuable, and enabled the industrious labourer to make "a nice addition to his wages," and promoted self-reliance. Both speakers emphatically spoke of the benefits the New Poor Law had conferred on the agricul- tural labourers, by teaching them to depend solely on their own exertions. Mr. Alderman Mechi suggested that every farm ought to have a certain number of cottages with gardens attached, and he thought something more than half a rood might be allowed for the garden. Numerous other speakers, chiefly farmers and land agents, agreed in testifying to the benefits derived from allotments of land in rural parishes, where the quantity let to each man did not exceed what he could well manage without trenching upon the duties of his ordinary employment. We may thus regard it as a settled point, that wtll-managed allotments form the means of improving the condition of the agricultural labourers.— Economist.

[No title]

|REVIEW OF THE BRITISH COLIN…

IFOREIGN CORN TRADE.

I MONEY-MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE.…

[No title]

I RAILWAYS. I

1 Ihe quotations give the…

[No title]

I CARMARTHEN COIIN RETURNS.

- - - - - - -_-_-------- WEEKLY…

LONDON GAZETTE