AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1793, 3 April 1886, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

(By Our English Agricultural ConnES-

POXDENT.)

London, February 12, A SEVERE WINTER.

Wintry weather, with very little intermission, has prevailed during the past fortnight, with a great deal of snow in the North of England and Scotland, and scarcely any in the southern half of England. The frost, which has been general in all parts of the country, has not been so severe as that of January, or the young wheats, unprotected as they are in most districts, would have been badly injured. As it is the long period during which they have been pinched and kept from growing is decidedly against them> especially where insect pests are present to thin the plant. If we could but get rid of the frost without rain, the land would work splendidly for early peas and beans, which should be sown soon ; and for barley also, which might be put in at any time when the soil is dry enough to be worked into an abundance of moulds. Farmers are longing for a change in the weather in order that they may get to work on their land, and labourers, who have been sadly out of employment lately, are more anxious still to see the end of the long period of idleness, total or partial. I do not mean to say that farmers have discharged many of their regular hands ; but it is long since there were so many men out of work as there have been during the severe winter now, let us hope, drawing to a close.

THE CROPS OP 1885,

■ The official Agricultural Produce Statistics for Great Britain have been published, with a summary 0? the Irish returns added. They show that wheat and barley wore the only crops in Great Britain over average, hay being average and crops nearly up to that standard. In Ireland all crops but turnips and hay Avere over average. The wheat crop of the United Kingdom is estimated at 79,635,769 bushels, without-includ-ing the little grown in the Isle of Man au'd tho Channel Islands, and if that were added the total would still be under 10,000,000qrs. This is half a million quarters above the estimate made durini harvest, and it quite disposes of the.

absurd statements recently circulated about tho crop, one being to the effect that it would turn out equal to 15,000,000 quarters. As the estimates were collected from over 14,000 piri.shps in Great Britain, by men selected for their acquaintance with agricultural affairs, they arj much more entitled to confidence th:m any other e&timutcs that have been made. The yii-ld of the wheat crop was better than that of 13»4, but as the acreage was smaller, the total produce is less. The barley crop turned out a little better than was expected ; but all other crops show up b-ully, peas, beans, and roots especially. The following table, which I have compiled from several large tables, shows the area, total produce, and yield per acre, of each crop in each division of the kingdom, and for the whole in 18S5 and 1884, and the ordinary average yield per acre as far as that is given, with some calculations of my own showing the ordinary average yield of the cereals in l.vland and the United Kingdom, and which maybe relied up-m, having been worked out from th<j official figures of the tenyenrs preceding 1885 —

t"0 Total Pr.nl it. •». Yield per V, g> Ac ie. "rp -~ Country. ttus'ieK Bushels. 5J3 ISB.I ISSI. 18<*5. 1831. — Gfc. Britain 77.587.000 Bu,aift.B77 31*31 2SVSW 2S-80 Ireland ... 2,048,103 1,851.087 23 81 27-27 2(1 lilt Ufd. Kngdni 70,(5;i0.r<50 82.'W(J,!WI WiM i!>-J« 28 07 I3.viti.i-. . . Gl, .Britain 70,251 ,2.-?« 7:5,"1 J.7-W 3-Vll -Si-OS 3f(U Ireland ... <i,170,?7l 0.0)1.3715 WO-I 35-87 :W 39 Utu.Kngdm 85.721.i532 7!>,917,n.i 3VIB ISl'St Sl-l.'j Oats. Gfc. Britain 105.3fiJ.708 lu;).;W7,iaS> «<> 85 37-52 39-01 Ireland ... 52,070,201 52,00d,H20 30-10 38-57 39-05 Ufcd Kngrtm K50,'110.907 1(51,103,749 37 8> 37-85 39-ul Beax°. Gt. Britain 8,907,501 11,518,231 20-19 2.V78 30-36 Ireland ... 214,527 :« 51 2S-37 — Utd.Kngdm 9,122,023 11.735.2iJ9 2<i-i>B 25 82 — Pjc.vs. Gt. Britain ■1,320,789 5,<r.7,317 13-70 21-tsl 2S 9 Ireland ... 18,171 2'.»,i>5l 2195 aS-SO — Utd. Kngdin 't,. - i39,-.'ijo 5,(i50,:i01 18-78 21-03 — Potatoes : Tons. Gt. Britain 3,198,504 3,71.(,20.J 583 O'ii2 fi-11 Ireland ... 3,175,733 3.01",-!53 .TOB 3-81 — Utd.Kngdm (5,37 1, ->l2 0,783.555 .171 -1-97 — Tußvirs. Gt. Britain 21,510.825 27.073,'U2 UV IB 13,35 15-2 Ireland ... 1i.551.753 3,.">07.9.'i 11-9i5 11-5t — Utd Kugdm 21,01)2,008 30,531,210 i.j n itf-lii — MANCHiLS. Gt. Britain 5,11)9.793 ■5,55/',(!i52 15" 13 11V.13 19-81 Irehmd ... W!t,7ao 139,177 I3'il 12T2 — Utd. Kngdin .").90'.1,523 5.997,130 1521 115V>7 — Hay. Gt. Britain 8,730,979 _ 1--11 — Ml Ireland ... 4,15(3,(195 3,522,77f> 2-(M 1-05 — Utd.Kngdm 12.857.074 — 1-57 — ~ Hops.- Owls. ; England ouly 509,170 — 7'll — 7-81 A comparison of the yield per aero in Great Britain with the ordinary average of any cr Dp, except wheat, barle5 r , hay, and hops, will show how far from a generally prolific harvest that of 1885 was; and when pi-ice.i iue lionu- in mind, anyone may see how it in that agricultural distress is more severe, or at any rate more general, than ever. At the prices realised average crops came to about the following sums per acre : — Wheat, £0 ; barley, £0 (5a ; oats, £-1 15> ; beans, £4 7s Gd ; peas,' £3 16s (jd. These, of course, are entirely unremuiK'rative returns, and as live stock, wool, and dairy produce have all been selling badly, tho total receipts of farmers are very meagre. Dairy produce has been helling better lately, but during a great portion of 1805 prices were unusually low. Allowances off rents are being very generally given by landlords, as tenants are quite unable to meet their liabilitcs. Tn spite of this, I fear that a large number of farmers will be made bankrupt, bi-fore next harvest. Only to-day I have heard of three men being declared bankrupt whom 1 knew when farming near them a few years ago a.-, great swells for farmers. Two kept their carriages, and onr owned quite a medium-sized estate, part of which he let. Another old neighbour of mine, who farmed over 300 acres of good land, and farmed it well too, came to me the oth^r day for a little assistance. Ho had been working during the past summer as a farm labourer, and was out of work.

MARKETS.

There is no cheering intelligence from tho corn or cattle markets. The average price of wheat, which has been down to 29a 7d per ir of 4801b, was only 29s 9d last week Tiale was quiet to-day, yet imports and quantities on passage have for some time been much less than they were at the corresponding periods of la-it year, and our -stock must have diminished considerably since the Ist of January, During the month of January we imported only 7(34,823qr of wheat, and flour equal to 279,5-ißqr, or 1,043,371qr in all, as compared with 1,006,2 IGrpof wheat, and flour equal to 485,782qr, or a rot .l equal to 1,4!)2,028qr, in January 1884. The best estimates of the surplus in exportino countries show that there will not he sufficient for the requirements of importing countries up to next harvest without drawing so freely upon the American supply as to leave only what is regarded as a " famine reserve." Under tho-.o circumstances there is no reason for such miserable pivces as new prevail, and I still pin my faith to a moderate rise in the spring. Viit -stock are selling as badly as ever, or nearly so. At last Monday's Metropolitan cattle market fat cattle sold at 3s 4d to 4s lOd per "stone " of 81b, to sink the offal, sheep at 4s to 5s Bd, and pigs at 2s 8d to 4-s 4d. The top prices are those for prime sorts — Southdowns and small porkers respectively. Cheese has gone up in price. At Nantwich Cheese Fair, last week, common Cheshire sold at 28s to 40s per " cwt " of 1201b, medium at -10s to 50s, good at 50s to (!os, and prime at 60s to Gss. Good fre-sh butter sell;;, wholesale, at 13s to 15s per 121b, and pood salt; at 116s to 110s per cwt. s ' "

TfJB DEMAND KOtf X>ROTf:CTU)N 7 ,

At tho rcoent meeting of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture the Protectionists and " F.nr Traders " — a distinct ion without a difference — had quite a field tiny. There was a discussion on the question of imposing duties on foreign (not Colonial) grain and manufactures, and the restriction given below was practically only defoatod !>y iho ohuirmsui's canting vote : — " That this mooting 1 , looking at th 3 continued and increasing severity of "the depre^-iou of agriculture and other national hulu.stries, expresses its opinion that no adequate relief can be obtained except by the wiso v-fo,y'ui and readjustment of our fiscal f.ysiou>, and respectfully urges upon her Majesty's Government and the Legislature tho pressing necessity for the' Immediate introduction into Parliament of measures to cnahlo our industries to withstand tho severity of foreign competition In our homo' markets.'' Tho majority of those present appeared to be in favour of- tho resolution, a.n. 1 the Voting took place on an amendment sitn,ply

deferring a decision till after the Royal Commission in commercial depression has reported. Sixty chambers of agriculture were represented at the meeting. This will give an idea of the extension of Protectionist views among the farmers of England. Yet most of th.'in know that the people will not consent to have their food taxed, aud that neither political party dares to propose anything of the kind. Indeed, the leader.-, of both parties have distinctly pronounced against it. The mob which smashed tho windows of hundreds of shops and houses, and gutted many shops last Monday, was, to a great extent, called together by the Protectionists, though not by them incited to violence. The really exciting speeches were delivered by Messrs Hyndman, Champion, and Burns, who style themselves Social Democrats.

JtliAT PHODUCBHS AND CONSUMERS.

The movement among farmers for supplying meat direct to consumers is spreading slowly. Several establishments Cor the sale of meat have been opened by associations of farmers, and, so far, with apparent success. At tae London Farmers' Club on Monday week the question was discussed. Mr Jenkins, secretary to the Royal Agricultural Society, placed a plan of co-operation between producers and consumers of meat before the meeting ; but, like everything new, it was "sat upon" by the very conservative men who compose tho majority of the members. It is estimated that a rise of Id per lb in the price of the meat sold in a year would be equal to an increase of farmers' returns by no less than £12,(WO,000, for the whole of the United Kingdom. Now, it is almost certain that if fanners could combine so as to sell their own meat, they would get quite Id per lb above what they receive at present.

THE " BLOCK TEST."

Those of us who have for some time been advocating the establishment of classes for dressed carcasses at fat stock shows are rejoiced to see that at the meeting of the Smithfield Club, held last week, Mr J. Coleman having mooted the question whether the Club could not offer prizes for carcasses of meat, on the motion of Mr Glare Seweil Head, seconded by Mr H. Webb, Messrs J. Coleman, 11. Chandos-Pole-Gell, Charles Howard, Clare Suwell Read, John Treadwell, aud Robert Walker were appointed a committee to consider and report to the Council in November upon the practicability of instituting a class or clas.se? for animals entered for slaughter, the prizes being awarded to the best carcasses. The committee is to meet at Norwich during the show of tho Koyal Agricultural Society, next July. Unfortunately a decision come to in November, even if favourable, will he too late to be put into action for the next London Cattle Show, which is always held early in December.

TJIE FERTILISATION Of Ttlfi "WHEAT PLANT.

A great deal of attention is being given to an article by Dr Paley in the current number of the Contemporary Review on " Waste in Wheat Crops," chiefly on account of what he says about the fertilisation of the wheat plant. Most farmers, and even many botanists, will be greatly surprised to learn that what everyone has been accustomed to call the " bloom " of wheat is nothiug more than the used-up anthers which have discharged their pollen, and therefore done their work before they appear on the outside of the -wheat-ear. It has always been supposed until recently that this " bloom " had something to do with the fertilisation of the wheat, and that if it was blown oft' by high winds the productiveness of the crop would be injured. But Dr Paley says that this is quite a mistake, and ho. is confirmed by men who have been making experiments in tho crossing and hybridising of wheat, both in thi» country aud in America. They h-iv« really proved that each glume of a wheat ear is self-fertilising, and that fertilisation takes place inside these seed oases, with their layers of chaff. What he says on this point is so important, especially as he tells u» how we may prove its truth for ourselves, that I must quote it here : — " Out off. from the ear one of the green siwd ca.vis which appears next about to fl,ower. Ttttinovu the ov.-iry with its three stamens and feathery double pistil, and lay theae ol'gans on a pii'oo of gla^s. Breathe on them gently, and 1 you will see tho anthers burst with a kind of spa-iinoiiio motion, s-cattering the pollen partly on the pistil, to which, as a magnifying glass will show, it adheres in minute globules, partly on the glass. But when the spurting takes place only within tho glumes the pollen must be confined to the ravity which contains the pistil and its numerous stigmas, unless, which is possible, some few grains (of pollen) escape when thu empty anther is protruded. Immediately aft;>r tho bursting of the anthers tb,e filament becomes restless and begins to move. Contrary to tho usual nature of this organ in plants, it is clastic, and you may watch it increasing to the length of abou,t half an inch, carrying with it, as it creeps on the. glass, the now empty and useless anthers. The point of the observation is to prove that the nla.rn.enb does not expand till after the discharge of the pollen, and therefore tnat tha anthers, when exposed to sight, or when we sir ; 'wheat in the flower,' are expended. They m-iy be pulled off by hand as they appear, and yet all tho grains in the ear will be just as perfect. Consequently the fear of high winds ' blowing off tho bV>om ' is wholly baseless," Experiments vi crossing different vanities of wheat in the m-v> vies of Messrs CarterandCo.,thewell-ki.')'.\ii L'-ndonscedsmen, fully confirm this view of tin- (vse Tlieirmanager tells me that he has long uniuhdiu 1 -! that every wheat ear, nay, every spikelut, i.-. self- fertilising, as he has had to draw away the ehnff scales and remove tho anther with its pollen, before applying the pollen of another plant for crossing different varieties. Again, Mr Charles Barnard,] describing in iho Century Magazino the experiments in hybridising wheat ;md Iye carried out in America, says — H Wheat is self-fertilising, the pistillate and staminnte portions o.f the (lower being close together, and ouolosod in a casing completely protecting 'them from contact with the pollen, from any othfr flowers." But, it will Uo said, tho idea t n«U the fructification of wheat is injured by high winds occurring du'-iiu-the blooming period is too general ro bo quite baseless. No doubt it is ; but Dr Psiley says that ivcfc and cold usirdly accompany Iri^h, v.-tads in summ*T,and that this may tKcoiui* &v tho injurydone. But may not thu binding about of tho ears do injury In another way than that of knocking off tho supposed "bloom ''— -the usedup anther-? Possibly U. may in some way injv.ro the reproduction organs of the {)la»iis, as "by canning the anthtr.-, to bur-;); pn>;naturoly before the pollen is inaiure, or hH'oro the srigma is in a ijt coimftion to be fei tilled.

7iKSir,AGK.

I'he prir.H of 100 guiuoas for th,o best hilo in England or Wsil.s has boon awarded by tho Royal Agriculhunl .Society to Mi- J. Morris of Fulham Court, Madliy, Herefordshire; and MiJohnson, of Ov.kwood Croft, Jfctrlington, has received tho prize for the bev-fc silage "stack 'i')io judges h-ivtt come to the conclusion that iho Ur.ck system of pivwevvrng r,?wn Sod )) t .y luu been successfully can rod u»>, sud j s capable of CQnsid?.rah\e extension, ' 4 Qn account of its t i-oal

economy and the excellence of the results obtained." I think I have before recommended those who desire information as to the stack system to procure a useful little pamphlet publ'shcd by Messrs Hunt aud Amos, of Bristol, which everyone who needs information as to the prevn-vation of green fodder in stacks should read. Mr Hunt advises tho use of salt on the outsides of stacks to prevent moulding, and some persons who have tried this say it is quite successful. No doubt they will send a copy to anyone who may send them a few pence for postage.