THE YEAR'S HARVEST.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 392, 14 September 1875, Page 3

THE YEAR'S HARVEST.

Mr H, Kains-Jackson writes as follows to the Times of July 26th ; Sir, —On the longest day of the year I took a survey of the breadths of corn in Lincolnshire, and, passing over many hundreds of acres on the previous and next subsequent day, demonstrated that wheat was then generally in flower—as much so as in the fields I had previously watched in Surrey, Kent, and Essex. The date of wheat blooming is always an important point, and this season especially so, as the period all over the country was mainly calm and favorable throughout the critical ten days during which the bulk of grain grown in the United Kingdom was forming. Previous and subsequent to the wheat-blooming the weather had and has been much unsettled, but the earing occurred at an average date, and. like the flowering, from the South-Eastern counties, through mid-England, as far North as Poston, within the same week. This good feature is the more remarkable as at the end of April three inclement, cold, and dry Spring months had leit vegetation fully three weeks later than usual. A genial, warm, and showery May, almost free from frost, stimulated the growth of corn, grass, and roots, and agricultural prospects in the aggregate were favorable at home and abroad. June improved some of those prospects and imperilled others, the month bringing gusty, stormy weather, especially from the Bth to the 19th. The abundance of moisture was followed by the appearance of mildew on the lower flags of the wheat, nearly every field where the crop was thick showing traces, but, as at this season the plant is thin and the straw short on most farms, the circulation of air from ear to root is likely to prevent disease spreading, and I have not yet found the stem of the plant attacked. Farmers do not like to see the straw growing after the wheat has bloomed preferring rather such warmth and dryness as matures the grain; however, in the fine 30-acre Kentish field now under my eyes as I write the kernels have gone on maturing until they are fully formed and plump, notwithstanding the last fortnight’s increase of straw. Many of the ears are four set, and undoubtedly a fair yield is promised. In many districts the promise is equally good upon lands of medium character and where the seed was planted early in Autumn. The Winter and Spring sown fields and poor skinny lands bear generally a poor crop, and this season, corresponding with its metonicforerunner in 1856 in its weather characteristics, seems likely to give only, like that year, an average wheat yield, with quantity irregular and quality and condition inferior. At the same time, if the May prospects of a fine wheat harvest do not now appear likely to be raalised, the crop is far enough matured to be out of danger from most of the attacks to which it is exposed in earlier stages, so that nothing but calamitously abnormal weather can make this harvest a bad, while sunshine may yet make it a fair one. That the barley crop would be large and good, that beans and peas were the most promising they had been for years, the general opinion of correspondents in various districts and personal observation gave full assurance; but recent weather has considerably modified these anticipations. A mouth ago a correspondent observed that he found the task of seeking a good oat field as difficult as to see a bad one of wheat ; but at present there are many good oat crops, thanks to the rains. The general oat yield, however, is likely to be very light, and, as the grass harvest has been poor and often badly got together, the farmer would have been without compensation, but for having the promise of one of the largest root crops, including potatoes, ever grown. Those who cultivate hops have also the prospect of an abundant yield. Thus the produce of land in 1875 still promises to be, in the aggregate, a large and fairly good to remunerate the farmer. Of course, a decided estimate cannot be accurately formed until cutting has commenced ; but already harvest prospects have a great influence on the markets of the world, and at the present date London, Paris, New York, and Odessa are on

the qui vivo, with strained attention given to probabilities, while speculation stands ready to act quickly, according as each week’s clouds or sunshine prompts or withholds demand. For the last three the value of wheat has hovered about 42s per quarter—a level that has only been lower in 1849-50-51-52, 1864, and 1866 — yet high enough to attract, large supplies from farmers, and from abroad heavy imports, while there is an increasing bulk on passage of about 1*- million quarters. Yet, so strong is the influence of harvest prospects that, notwithstanding sufficient stocks and liberal expected supplies, the weather has made sellers ask an advance of 8s per quarter, 50s being now demanded where 42s was accepted a month ago, But the Corn Exchangss do not remain settled three days together, so uncertain is the future felt to be. As apart from the actual yield in England, the situation is modified by the unexhausted balances remaining of last year’s crop remaining in Prance, Russia, and America—probably enough in themselves to keep prices moderate for the coming season ; while a very early harvest in California has given a yield, in hand, supposed to be equal to the large exports of the past year. There are also prospects of the American crop generally being satisfactory, so that already merchants are calculating on a large Autumn import trade to balance exports. In Europe—Hungary, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the North and centre of France appear to reckon on a fair harvest. Nor do there seem to exist any permanent reasons for corn to be dear, while there are many apparent to keep it cheap. High rates do not now usually succeed an indifferent harvest in this kingdom. Europe and America must also suffer from a deficiency before England suffers. Within a week from this date the sickle is likely to be among the corn in districts of the southern and home counties, so that grain and hay will be harvesting together, and with a little sunshine a reaction on the corn markets is quite possible. Either way, I believe this season it will be an error to hope much or expect little from the British harvest: and, as to prices, there are no chances of their becoming immoderate. The purchase power of money has decreased in most things ; 40s now buys much less labour, meat, barley, or straw, than twenty years ago, when wheat at 40s per quarter was reckoned very low in value. But we still can buy wheat and flour at the old rates in good seasons, and although breadstuff,-) might rise 20 per cent, and yet be relatively cheap, a range of 50s per quarter has, by the test of recent years, been always found sufficient to bring us, as an average price, full supplies from abroad, while the English farmer still finds it encouraging and remunerative. Value above or below this level is usually the result of speculation, which each year becomes more difficult as the powers of production and consumption throughout the world are better understood, and in the present situation of prospects, supply and demand, this kingdom and Europe may well expect the year’s harvest will yield moderate plenty to man and beast.