THE ENGLISH HARVEST.

Southland Times, Issue 1331, 4 November 1870, Page 2

THE ENGLISH HARVEST.

(From The Times' correspondent, August 9th.) " If we may estimate 45s per qr. as the normal value of wheat in August, 1870, we have next to enquire how far home and foreign prospects are likely to modify future prices. Writing on the 2nd August I recorded my belief, after a visit in several counties, that the wheat crop would be an average in this country, and now that the shocks of corn are standing round me where I write, a month later, their sheaves balanced on the arm show this season the butt ends are much the lightest, and the corn is where it should be — in the well-grown, well-matured, and well-ripened ears. To repeat the remarks of correspondents, and quote the views of, the district growers, has a tendency to confusion, which I wish to avoid, bafc I note and record that a well-known agri--culturist, who ( has visited the experimental farm of TRothamstead, estimates the yield of the unmanured plots at 16 bushels per acre, the average yield being only 16f* bushels, and concludes, therefore, ' the wheat crop in England, 1870, will be above an average.' I may further quote the letter, July 21, of a traveller from London to York, who says, after making observations on other crops, 'Wheat how. ever is splendid. I doubt whether I ever saw a crop promising so well, alike for quantity and quality — a little short in the straw, perhaps, aad thin on the ground, but evidently healthy, with ears large and well filled.' I might add several other similar opinions, and I must state in fairness a. great many other less favorable views, some even desponding ; but I judge best to say that, having received and examined all the means at my command, and closely watching the season, my own decision is that the last month has added two bushels per acre to the English crop of wheat, so that the total yield will now be rather over than under 30 bushels per, acre, 28 being considered the official average, while 30 to 32 bushels is regarded as the farmer's idea of an average. Such, being the present view of the English crop, while stocks are admittedly fair in our principal ports, with a weekly arrival of fully 150,000 qrs. of wheat and flour into the United Kingdom, and a. total of 699 grain and seed ships on passages (323 bringing wheat), and with harvest iv full swing three weeks earlier than lately expected (new wheat samples being no longer rarities in London or country markets) what, is the prospect of supply, looking abroad ? The total imports .into . the United Kingdom of wheat and flour on the average of the last four years, are—

Cwts. Russia ... 10,647,700 Prussia 5,951,222 Hanse Towns ... ... ... 1,410,3 1S Hungary, &c. ... ... ... 1,173,514 Turkey and Danube ... ... 2,107,297 Franca ... ... ... 3,29 L.l 4* Egypt ... 1,440,814 United States of America ... 7,037,902 British North America ... ... 1,272,406 Chili ... ... ... 1,124,465 Other countries ... ... 1,908,73* 37,365,570 Or about 8,300,000 qrg.