GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR NOVEMBER,

From nearly all parts of England the accounts in reference to the appearance of the winter wheats are of a favourable character. With very few exceptions, the plants have a regular appearance, and promise well for the next crop. The prevailing cold weather has been of much benefit in checking premature exuberance; but a covering of snow would now seem necessary, to protect the wheats from the easterly winds, which have been accompanied with several degrees of frost. Out-door labours are well in their place, and we understand that quite as much land has been sown with wheat this season as was the case in 1861. Although very little home-grown wheat has been on offer in the leading markets of consumption, the demand for all kinds, owing to enormous importations of foreign and colonial produce, has been in a depressd state, and prices have given way from 28. to 48. per qr.; foreign parcels have suffered in nearly the same proportion, as some of the importing houses, taking alarm at the advance in the value of money on the part of the Directors of the Bank of England, and the heavy withdrawals of gold from this country to purchase silver on the continent, have considered it necessary to force sales ex ship rather than incur the prospect of loss from warehousing their grain. Flour has met an inactive inquiry, and town-made qualities have declined in value 49. per 280lbs. We have to report a dull sale for barley at 1s. to 28. per qr., and nearly all other kinds of produce have had a drooping tendency.

£1 12s. to £1 16s. per load. A large quantity of the hay on offer in the metropolitan markets is much heated and otherwise damaged.

The continental grain markets have been in a depressed state, and prices have given way to some extent. The Ame rican markets have been heavily supplied with produce, and a very large business has been doing in it for export to England, at steady currencies. The annexed return shows the shipments to the United Kingdom from the 1st of January to the let of November :

We understand, such has been the unpropitions state of the weather, that rather large quantities of wheat are still in the fields in the northern part of Scotland. In the South, bow. ever, the whole of the crops have been secured in moderste condition. The markets have been scantilysupplied with produce; nevertheless the trade generally has been in a very inactive state, on easier terms. The potato crop has turned ont the largest and best on record.

No new feature has presented itself in the grain trade in Ireland. Wheat and all other articles have changed hands heavily, on lower terms, and the shipments to England bave been on a limited scale.

PAST MONTH.

Notwithstanding that full average supplies of beasts have been on sale in the great Metropolitan Cattle Market for the time of year, and that most breeds have come to hand in improved condition, the beef trade has continued in a healthy

currencies.

A meeting of shipowners has been held in London, in order to agree to one general system of grain freights. At present some owners carry grain and flour by weight, others by measurement. It is now understood that, henceforth, most of the vessels will be loaded by weight only, though, as yet, the shippers from abroad have not given their consent to the proposed change. Evidently, the shipping interest will be materially benefited by it.

The public sales of colonial wool, at which fully 60,000 bales will be offered, commenced steadily, at an advance in the quotations, compared with the previous series, of fully 1d. per lb. In the second week the improvement was 14d. to 24d.; but since then, as the purchases for the Continent have fallen off, the rise has not exceeded 1d. to 1d. per lb. There is a fair average business doing in English, Irish and Scotch wools, at full prices. The stocks in the manufacturing districts are by no means extensive for the time of

year.

The beet and carrot crops have proved very large, and there is now an extensive supply of food for the stock during the winter months.

The demand for both hay and straw has ruled heavy, and prices have not been supported. Meadow hay has sold at from £1 168. to £4 88., clover £3 10s. to £5 10s., and straw

crosses have sold at 58. ; prime Devons, shorthorns, and Here fords at 4s. 8d. per 8lbs. The general health of the stock has been far more satisfactory than for some time past; never theless, several instances of lung and hoof disease have been apparent amongst beasts of an inferior character. The arri vals of English sheep have been on a very moderate scale; Continent. Most home breeds have come badly to the scale; but over 28,000 head have been imported direct from the and it is satisfactory to find that very few serious cases of but, on the whole, they have improved in general condition, disease have presented themselves in the flock districts. The return of cold weather has, no doubt, checked its progress. Owing to a large arrival from Holland, &c., calves have changed hands heavily, and the currencies have given way 8d. per 8lbs. compared with the previous month. The pork trade, however, has ruled steady, and the quotations have been well supported.

in course of fattening for the English market, but that prices Advices from Holland state that large supplies of stock are rule very high-too high, indeed, to admit of speculative purDenmark is now nearly closed; and, during the next three of chases from this side. The season for shipping stock from four months, very few sheep will reach us from Germany id Hamburgh. We have received two cargoes of bullocks from Spain, via Liverpool. The stock came to hand in prime condition; but butchers complain that they carry a very small quantity of internal fat, compared with their weight. The Dutch sheep, most of which are now crosses with English breeds, continue to show signs of improvement in quality; consequently the demand for them has continued tolerably active, at steady prices.

The imports of foreign stock into London have been as follows:

369

1854 ......

7,120 16,604 1,108

SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE.

We have not much to notice in detail in this month's report. The chief occupations have been the getting in the wheat and securing the mangold crop. For the most part, the wheat-seeding has been a favourable one, and the inquiries for good and specific varieties unusually prevalent. If new sorts could not be obtained, sowers were tolerably content to change their seed, the popular changes being from chalk or gravel to loams, and vice versa. There is much yet to get in. "The mangold crop is a bad one, and by no means all secured. There are scores of acres out in the district. It cannot be estimated at more than one-half of last year's bulk, and, being small and well covered with a plenteous foliage, it has stood these sharp frosts well; and if growers will exercise a little patience, so as to permit a return of vitality before growing, there will be but trifling loss. The crops of turnips and coleseed have greatly improved, and the latter is now feeding-off satisfactorily. The late rime frosts have made it more palat

HEAD. 30,130

532 110,020

2,313

25,400 500

103,600

1858

1857

1856

1855

Beasts. Cows. Sheep. Calves. Pigs. 26,580 560 109,370 1,370 3,430 2,112 2,920 1,299 2,800 114,643 1,437 2.970 103,120 3,002 3,037 105,750 2,096 3,415 97,460 1,585 3,535 1854...... 121,031 1,848 2,726 The receipts of home stock thus compare with the two previous years:

Nov. 1862. Nov. 1861. Nov. 1860.

Lincolnshire, Leicestershire,

and Northamptonshire.. 14,370 12,000 12,140 Other parts of England 8,450 1,700 3,800 Scotland 74 428 76 Ireland.......... 3,300 3,080 1,652 This comparison shows that Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire have contributed largely to the metropolitan supply this year. The receipts from other parts of England have been tolerably extensive; but those from Scotland have continued trifling. Owing to the prevailing distress in the manufacturing districts, the arrivals from Ireland have been on an extensive scale. For the most part, however, they bave changed hands at low currencies.

Beef has sold at from 3s. 4d. to 5s., mutton 3. 8d. to 58. 8d., veal 3s. 4d. to 5s., and pork 4s. to 5s. per 8lbs., to sink the offal.

0 to 5 3 4 to 5 Pork.. 3 2 10 to 4 2 Newgate and Leadenhall markets have been fairly supplied with each kind of meat, and the demand generally may be considered steady, at the annexed quotations: Beef from 28. 8d. to 48, 2d., mutton 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d., veal 3s. 6d. to 4s. 8d., pork 48. to 5s. per 8lbs. by the carcase.

The approaching show of fat stock in London is looked forward to with more than usual interest. It is generally understood that the exhibition will be unusually large, and of very prime quality. We hear that some remarkably prime beasts will be sent to the show-yard from Scotland, and that the quantity of stock in that country is fully equal to any former season.

icy food. The grazing lands look yet very rough and "tussacky;" and many cattle are pulling up the rank herbage, on which they do well. The lands also are dug, and no damage is done by treading. Sheep are doing well on their pastures, where free from the foot-and-mouth disease, which, we are sorry to report, is spreading all over the district. The Leicester and Derbyshire drape cows are much infected by it; and many of these animals find their way down to this locality annually. The corn trade is again much depressed, owing to the large importations; but, we feel assured, this cannot last long, the yield of this country being so defective. The Baltic being frozen up, and the American supplies going into warehouse, must soon cause a reaction. Besides, if thrashing is equally forward elsewhere as here, our own supplies must soon be very scanty. Beef and muttou are making higher prices. Pork less in demand, owing to large immediate im portations of foreign bacon, which is now selling at 41d. per lb

CUMBERLAND.

The year 1862 is fast drawing towards a close, and there is yet a part of the grain abroad in the fields; but this is confined to the late cold and high districts, and consists of only a portion of late oats and as it has been frosty for a few days back, and is offering to continue with much severity, an opportunity will thus be afforded to secure it, and clear up the remnant of the crop in a better condition than was a short time ago expected. The wheat crop, although very far from being a good one, will yet on the whole be better than at one time predicted. Much of it comes to market in bad condition; but that is owing more to the impatience of farmers not allowing it to remain long enough in the field: where it was allowed to stand sufficiently long in the fields in stook, it got into good order, and comes to market in a satisfactory condition, without having suffered by a lengthened exposure to the weather. The anxiety resulting from the unsettled state of the weather caused many farmers to hurry their grain in when in so unfit a state to be taken from the fields, that rendered it necessary to take down and lead out very many stacks, to prevent heating, thus incurring a great loss by waste, beside a great additional amount of labour; but this was confined principally to oats and barley. Instances of wheat giving a fair yield, and exhibiting a good sample at market, are to be met with, but these may be looked upon as excep tions rather than the rule. With about the usual breadth of land under wheat, portions here and there being thinned out with the wire-worm, and generally thinner in plant than in ordinary years, with blight caused by wind, rain, and a low tempereture, the aggregate yield must necessarily be less than in an average of years. This, when added to the deficiency of quality, will form a considerable drawback upon the wheat crop of the county. The spring, or late-sown wheats, turned out a better sample than the early-sown. Barley was a better crop than wheat, where sown on soils suited to that grain. Oats, on dry and loamy soils, turned out a very good crop, and yield well, producing a very good sample of grain. On wet, cold land, especially in the highlying late districts, they were rather deficient, and many fields suffered much from the ravages of the grub; but even

there they are reported as yielding a very fair sample of grain. The season for preparing the land for green crop being very unfavourable, there was great difficulty in getting either potatoes, turnips, or mangolds put in with anything like a fair chance of producing a good crop. Where potatoes were put into land, though well-drained, if the top was resting upon a clay subsoil, the crop had generally a wretched appearance during summer, and turned out at last a deficient crop, and much diseased. On dry suitable situations they were a very fair crop, and less diseased than last year. A portion of the crop is still in the ground, and as the frost is now very hard, they will have a chance of suffering from the effect of it; but, fortunately, it is only a small portion of the crop that is so situated. Much of the turnip crop, especially the late-sown, suffered from the effect of the wet season: and where the land itself was cold and wet, the crop is very deficient, the bulbs are small, and several affected with the mysterious disease of "finger-andtoe." On favourable soils they have improved greatly within the last few weeks, and will altogether turn out to be a crop very much superior to what was at one time expected. Mangold is only a deficient crop, being small in root and altogether deficient in bulk-the necessary consequence of a cold, wet, and late season. The old adage "A wet May makes plenty of hay" has been verified as it usually is, the hay crop being a good one, and mostly secured in fair condition. On dry situations the supply of grass was plentiful, and afforded a good bite for the stock; but on cold land farms the keep for cattle and sheep was deficient, and of indifferent quality, the grass having a starved and unhealthy appearance, and not calculated to improve the stock. Keep during the autumn got to be plentiful, which would have some effect in improving the market for cattle, which has been very good, store cattle being seldom, if ever, selling at higher prices, young Shorthorn bullocks being in great demand, heifers, too, bringing high prices. Fat, both beef and mutton, maintains its price much better than could be expected, considering the stagnation of the cotton trade. Store sheep and lambs have been bringing high prices. Wool continuing to sell at a high figure necessarily helps the sale of sheep. The market for horses has been exceed ingly bad, only very good ones bringing anything like a fair price, while inferior ones are scarcely saleable at any price. Pork for curing has started at a lower figure than last year, aud the market is quite glutted with young live pigs, the breeding of which having run to quite an excess. The lateness of harvest and the wet weather have caused much of the farm-work to be in arrear, and has been very unfavourable for clearing the fields of green crop, consequently very little wheat has yet been got in, and the present frost is likely to throw it still farther back.-Nov. 18

AGRICULTURAL INTELLIGENCE,

FAIRS, &c.

ANDOVER FAIR.-It was estimated that nearly fifty thousand sheep were penned, which sold well, and realized good prices.

BAKEWELL FAIR.-All descriptions of cows were much lower than a month ago, a decline of 58. to 10s. per head having taken place, and comparatively little business was done. A good supply of sheep, at about the usual quotations; but for lambs a higher figure was demanded. The show of horses was large; they, however, consisted generally of Welsh and Irish cobs. Pigs were well represented, and had good demand.

BANBURY FAIR. In the cow fair there was a good supply of stock, including a large proportion of fed beasts fit for the London markets, which went off briskly at advanced prices. The supply of sheep was comparatively moderate in quantity, and there were also high rates realized. Beef 48. to 48. 10d., mutton 4s. 6d. to 5s. 4d. per 8lbs.

BEDFORD ST. LEONARD'S FAIR.-There was a good supply of store beasts, and a good trade, prices ranging from £8 10s. to £13. Milch cows in moderate supply; superior animals fetched high prices, £18 to £25; heifers £12 to £16. The number of sheep penned was not so large as in former years, but all moved off; stores 30s. to 45s., lambs 258. to 35s., fat mutton 2d. to 4d. per 8lbs. lower, wethers

made 5s. to 5o. 4d., and ewes 4s. 8d. to 58. In the market the same day pigs were lower, and fat pork a dull trade. CAMELFORD FAIR-Fat sheep 6d. to 64d., store exa 54d. to 6d. per lb., fat bullocks 56s. to 60s. per cwt., oxes and steers 35s. to 408. per cwt.

CREWE FAIR.-There was a very large supply of cattle, chiefly stores, which met with a good demand at somewhat lower rates, except young stock, which maintained their price. Pigs and sheep were both limited in number, as is usual with the latter at this season of the year, and there was not much done in them.

DONCASTER FAIR.-In fat stock we had but little, and for best qualities 78. 6d. per stone was paid, 7s. was given for middling class of animals, and indifferent sorts ruled as low 58. per stone. Irish stock was much in excess of other serta and quotations ruled rather better than those quoted at Satuday's market, £5 to £10 was the general figure. Drapes wa in fair demand at £10 10s. to £14, steers £5 10s. to £14, milch cows £13 to £20 per head. Sheep were moderately penned; fat was sold at 6d. to 74d. per lb., others from 37s. t 458. each.

DUMFRIES PORK MARKET.-The usual time for commencing business in pork has not yet arrived, but killes taking advantage of the frosty weather are bringing carcases to town. This morning prices were from 5s. 3d. to 5s. 6d.; but when the latter figure was given, 1s. per carcase was turned as a luck-penny.

DUNSE GREAT MARKET.-Shorthorned stirks were selling at from £7 to £10; and two-year-olds sold at from £11 to £14. There was a lot of Irish stirks in the market, but sales were dull. Prices for them ranged from £4 to £5 12s. Except these and a few murrain shorthorn stirks, all the lean beasts were sold. Sheep sold at (for wethers) from öd. to 7d. per lb., and ewes brought 54d. to 64d. There were number of lots of half-bred and three-parts lambs in the market, which sold at prices from 16s. to 24s. for half-breds and 18s. to 25s. 6d. for three-parts. Horses: £14 to £38 for for draughts, and from £15 to £42 for riding and harness horses. There was a "drove" of two and three-year-olds, which sold at prices for the former from £13 to £22, and fx the latter at from £18 to £27.

GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET.-There was i large supply of beef, and abundance of mutton, but generally of inferior quality, and the greatest portion was disposed of by auction. Prices ruled as follows: Beef from 6d. to 6d. per lb., mutton 7d. to 74d.; pigs from 9s. to 9s. 6d. per score. The market was one of the largest we ever remember.

GUILDFORD (SURREY) FAIR.-There was a mode rate supply of stock, &c., which met buyers at the following prices. Of sheep a large number were penned on the hill, and nearly all sold early in the day. Large full-grown wethers 46s. to 52s. a head, good store tegs 34s. to 40s., and wether lambs 23s. to 26s., and ewe stock lambs 208. to 23K & head. Sound young ewes, forward in lamb, 38s. to 44s.; aged ditto 30s. to 33s. per head. Store bullocks to fatten £15 £17, lean steers £11 to £12, beasts fit for slaughtering £18 to £20. Sound cart-horses for town purposes 28 to 38 guineas, seasoned ditto for farming work 15 to 24 guiness, and cart colts 24 to 32 guineas, machiners, van-horses, &c, 24 to 30 guineas, nags and single-harness horses 30 to 40 guineas: aged horses and ponies were without sale.

HAYWARD'S HEATH FAIR.-There was a good show of pigs. The sellers put on the figure pretty stiff, and sales were consequently slow, the slackness of trade and the wast of money being shown in the transactions current. Some good shuts and pigs from the sow were, however, sold in the morning; but as soon as the few buyers present had made their purchases there was very little done. Eight weeks old pigs realized about 12s. each, and older shuts from £1 to £1 10s., but larger pigs were quite a drug. There was a few horses, but of an inferior description, and the business done not of any consequence.

HEMPTON GREEN FAIR (Norfolk).-The show of Scots was tolerably good as to condition, number, and quantity; of Shorthorns and Irish, with the exception of a few lots, only middling. There being a fair attendance of buyers, a clearance was effected for all breeds; Scots making from 4s. 6d. to 5s., Shorthorns 4s. to 4s. 6d., fresh in condition 5s., and Irish 3s. 6d. to 4s. per stone of 14lbs., when fat. The weather being mild, and keep plentiful, was

greatly in favour of the trade. Very few sheep or lambs penned; high prices obtained for all on offer. In the horse fair very little was doing; good animals scarce; middling were difficult to dispose of.

HEXHAM FAIR.-For the better class of shorthorns the demand was good, and many lots were disposed of at prices, for stirks, varying from £6 to £11. Two years old ranged from £10 to £13, and three years old from £12 to 16 10s. There were several high-priced horses in the market, many of them being bought up by Newcastle dealers. One good hunting animal brought £75. Good carriage and harness horses were bringing from £50 to £20; and good animals for the draught brought from £15 to £45. Ponies were purchased at prices varying from £8 to £20. Of course, the greater number of them could be bought at any price.

HORSHAM ST. LEONARD'S FAIR.-The number of beasts was not so large as usual, and there was a brisk sale at rather a high figure. They were said to be in much better condition than usual, the Devons particularly so, and there were but few unsold.

ILSLEY FAIR.-The Wiltshire sheep fairs have been closed for the season with that of Ilsley, where there was a good supply and a large attendance of dealers. Trade at first was heavy, but eventually a clearance was effected without any material reduction from the high prices that have prevailed throughout the season.

LAUNCESTON FAIR was well supplied with grazing stock of all descriptions. There was a sort of dulness in the morning, in consequence of the very high price demanded for beasts, but about 10 a.m. an abatement was made, and then business commenced in good earnest. A vast number of cattle and sheep changed hands; and although the price was not quite so high as was expected, it was a remunerative one; and by 2 p.m., nearly all were sold. Mr. G. Lobb, of Low Sutton, had three very prime beasts as Christmas beef, for which he expected £4 per cwt.

LINCOLN FORTNIGHTLY MARKET presented an average show of beasts and sheep, and late prices were demanded, though trade was not brisk. Fat beef was quoted at 78. 6d. per stone, and fat mutton from 74d. to 8d. per lb.

LISKEARD ST. NEOT FAIR.-A large number of sheep were penned, and sales were dull, sellers submitting to a reduction of d. per lb. for fat sheep and breeding ewes. The cattle fair was tolerably well supplied, and there was a brisk demand for cows and calves, which sold well at former rates. There was a decline in wool, the top price being 13d., which was not freely offered.

LOSTWITHIEL FAIR was well attended, and the sup ply of cattle was numerous. Bullocks sold at 60s. per cwt. Sheep met with a ready sale; wethers 7d., and ewes 6d. per lb.

LOUGHBOROUGH FAIR.-Store bullocks sold pretty well, ranging from £12 to £18. In-calvers were sold off freely. Fat stock, of which there was a fair supply, fetched 78. 6d. to 7s. 9d. per stone. There were a great many excellent cart foals and colts, the former realizing from £10 to £18, the latter from £20 to as high as £45.

MALTON FAIR. - This fair was well supplied with stock, lean cattle predominating. Good English heifers, well up in condition, were not numerous, but a ready inquiry existed at prices from £15 to £18 per head, steers realizing abont £2 per head more. Cattle of this class were soon sold. There was no Scotch cattle, but a very great supply of Irish was brought down by rail, and mostly of very good quality. The best droves were a ready sale at £8 to £12 per head; but the poor-conditioned animals were slack, some being unsold even at £4 per head. There was a good supply of and a ready sale for cows, especially in-calvers, which went off at good rates, varying with promise from £16 to £22, and in some cases more per head. The fat stock sales were from 7s. to 7s. 6d. per stone for beasts, good animals for Christmas being worth fully 8s. Mutton sheep were in request, at 6d. to 7 d. per lb.; hoggs and two-shear sheep well sought up and firm for turniping purposes; no ewes on sale. The pig market was largely supplied, small animals being very cheap; porkers and bacon pigs selling at 5s. 6d. to 6s. per stone.

NEWTON-STEWART FAIR.-Cattle in good condition were in fair request, but others were almost entirely neglected. Three-year-olds ranged from £10 to £12 per head, two-yearolds from £7 10s. up to £10, cows from £3 10s. to £9, stirks

and cudaghs £4 108. to £6 158. For good horses there was an excellent demand, but aged and inferior animals were quite unsaleable. The highest price we heard of obtained in the market for a horse was £28; current prices for the best animals ranged from £15 to £25.

SHREWSBURY FAIR.-There was a good trade for prime beef and mutton. The price of beef ranged from 6d. to 6d. per lb., mutton 74d. to 73d, and 8d. for ripe wether sheep, fat calves 7d., bacon pigs 5d. to 54d., porks 54d. to 6d.; store pigs lower.

ST. COLUMB FAIR.-There was a good supply of fat bullocks, which fetched from 58s. to 638. per cwt. For oxen and steers the demand was not great, and there), was not a great number of them. Cows and calves were numerous, and sold well, The sheep fair was not so well supplied as in some former years; fat sheep about 6d. per lb.

TEWKESBURY FAIR was well supplied with stock, and there were lots of buyers, at reduced prices. Beef sold at from 6d. to 7d., and mutton from 7d. to 74d. per lb.

TOWYN FAIR.-There was a fair supply of fat cows, which realized 5 d. per lb., to sink the offal. The prices of store cattle and steers were the same as at the last fair.

TRURO FAIR.-Best bullocks fetched 63s. per cwt. The sheep pens were well filled, but not so good in quality as at the late market; best wethers sold at from 63d. to 7d. per lb. Altogether it was one of the best fairs ever held at Truro. There were 429 bullocks disposed of, which, at an average price of £11 per head, represented business to the extent of £4,719; 1,280 sheep ware penned, of which 973 were absolutely sold, say, at an average of £2 each, realizing £1,946.

YEOVIL FAIR was well attended, but the tendency of the business was dull. Some excellent fat bullocks averaged about 11s. per score. a few of which changed hands. Poor beasts sold rather dear, and cleared out tolerably. Down ewes from 303. to 36s., wethers from 32s. to 42s., lambs from 238. to 28s. Many lots remained unsold. Fair cart horses as well as hacks met buyers at fair prices.

IRISH FAIRS.-CAPPAWHITE: There was an unusually large supply of stock, and a proportionably large attendance of buyers. The supply of store stock, particularly of a yearand-a-half-old heifers, was very large, and fetched from £4 10s. to £6 10s. a-head; two and three-year-olds from £7 to £9 and £10 each; and strippers from £7 to £9 each. Incalf heifers, of which there was not a large show, barely realised current prices. STRABANE: Milch cows were in good demand, and sold at from £6 10s. to £15 each, according to quality. Little demand for stock cattle, at prices considerably lower than those obtained at last fair. Fat sheep met a ready sale at good prices. Pigs very cheap. CARLANSTOWN BRIDGE: The prices obtained for good beef, promising store cattle, and excellent mutton manifested an improved tone on late rates; while in bacon and pork a marked reduction was experienced. The demand for fat stock and young bullocks and heifers was uncommonly brisk, and a considerable amount of business was transacted for home use and exportation, northern dealers investing on a liberal scale. In the fat cattle market the prime top lots of well-bred beeves sold as high as £3. STROKESTOWN: The day was fine. Milch cows £8 to £15, springers £10 to £13, three-year-old heifers £12 to £14, twoyear-old heifers £7 to £10, yearlings £4 to £7. Beef, of which there was a considerable quantity, rated at about 461. to 50s. per cwt.; ewes 42s. to 45s,, wedders 50s. to 55s., lamb-this town's fairs always showing some excellent qualities-rating at about 33s. to 42. Pigs in large numbers and in good demand, which has not been noticed for some time, rating at about 48s. to 50s. per cwt.

BAKEWELL.-The supply of cheese was abundant; the sellers were highly disappointed with the market, and much remained unsold. The prices ranged from 448. to 58s. though 50s. to 528. appears to have been about the most general price.

CHIPPENHAM GREAT MARKET.- Broad doubles 50s. to 61s., prime Cheddar 60s, to 688., loaves 548. to 65s., thin 408. to 48s., skim 20s. to 248. per cwt. Nearly 200 tons were pitched.

CREWE CHEESE FAIR.-There was an extensive pitch of cheese, probably 100 tons, the greater proportion being of a good quality. The demand was brisk, very little remaining unsold. Prices were maintained for the best qualities, and

they ranged from 45s. to 65s. One prime lot bought for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, fetched 70s.

GLASGOW, (Wednesday last.)-The arrivals of cheese not large for the week, but the stock lying over keeps the market full. About 13 tons passed the weigh-house scales. Prices of secondary qualities in favour of buyers, but good Dunlop keeps firm. Dunlop old, 56s. to 598.; ditto new, 45s. to 50s.; Cheddar-made, 50s. to 558.; Skim milk, 178. to 19s. per ewt.

CORK BUTTER EXCHANGE, (Saturday last.)-The supplies continue heavy, but the demand is equal to the supply. This week the average was about 2,000 daily. Firsts remained unaltered at 104s., seconds more steady at 978., and thirds fell from 84s. to 83s. The quality of the Butter arriving is deteriorating, there being a remarkable falling off recently in first and second qualities, while the proportion of inferior qualities is increasing. In light salt, the average daily receipt is about 20 firkins. Its price remains steady at 110s. and 102s. for firsts and seconds, but thirds fell from 92s. to 87s. The severity of the weather is against its make, and the supply will diminish for the rest of the season.

SCOTCH WOOL SALES.-The fourth series of these sales has just been concluded, having extended over three days. The quantity offered was as under: About 1,600 bales white Cheviot and half-bred; 2,700 bales laid Cheviot; 600 bales white Highland; 600 bales laid Highland; 550 bales sundries; 6,100 bales in all, being more than was generally expected, owing to the active demand prevailing since the September sales, and the comparatively small stock of wool believed to be remaining in first hands. The attendance was not so large as at former sales this season, and biddings less spirited. At this period such holding back is not unusual, as buyers generally prefer to run their stocks low towards the close of the year, consequently a considerable quantity of the wool on show had to be withdrawn. Prices ruled much the same as at the September sales, with the exception of laid Cheviot, which was improved in price, and now in better demand than formerly. bred hogg 38a. to 448. per stone; white Cheviot 34s. to 38s.; white Cheviot hogg 38s. to 41s. 6d.; laid Cheviot, washed, 248. to 30s. 6d. : laid Cheviot, unwashed, 21s. to 25s.; white Highland, washed, 238. to 26s. 6d. ; white Highland, unwashed, 218. to 248.; laid Highland, unwashed, 158., to 17s. 6d.-CRAWFORD, Cree, and Co.

Half

ANNUAL SALE OF STOCK AT MALAHIDE CASTLE.-On Wednesday, Oct. 29, the annual sale of agricultural stock took place at Malahide Castle, the ancient seat of Lord Talbot de Malahide. The pure short-borned stock brought tolerably remunerative prices. The first set up was the celebrated prize bull Priam, which brought but 29 g., which was very much under his lowest value, even for the butcher. Victor Emmanuel, little over two years old, a winner of four first prizes, was sold cheap at 70 gs. ; the cows and heifers ranging from 17 to 34 gs., and the fat and store stock brought very handsome prices. Though the shorthorns did not produce anything very wonderful during the contest, the sheep were very keenly contested for, two and three-year-old Leicester breeding ewes bringing £4 48. per head on the average for 25; one lot of 5 going for £5 per head. Hogget Leicester ewes brought from £8 to £4 138. each, Leicester ewe lambs 55s. to £4 each, and ram lambs from £3 12s. to £3 17. 6d. each. Half-bred Leicester ewe lambs brought, on the sale of the first lot, 448. each, and the buyer made a clean sweep of the entire lots, consisting of 89 animals, at that price. The day was beautifully fine, and the sale, as usual, intrusted to Messrs. Ganley, Sons, and Parker.-Irish Farmers' Gazette.

SALE OF THE WEST RASEN HERD.-This herd of shorthorns, which has had some success at the Lincolnshire shows, was sold by Mr. Wetherell, on Wednesday, Nov. 12, by order of the assignees of Mr. William Smith. Mr. Booth's Harbinger, Prince George, Windsor, Windsor 2nd, Highthorne, and General Hopewell, had all been used in it, but the last sale had been too recent to lead to the expectation of anything like high prices. Edith by Monzani, and now upwards of fifteen years old, was not sold; but her white calf, Evelina by General Hopewell, proved the hignest lot (100 gs.)

at the sale, and was knocked down to Mr. Eastwood. Capt. Spencer bought Gipsy Girl, a combination of Highthorne, Prince George, and Hamlet, for 54 gs.; Sir A. de Rothschild gave 27 gs. for Vesta of the same tribe; and Messrs. Ambler, Ashton, Lamb, Roberts, Smith, Bromett, Trotter, Took, Davy, Moss, Dudding, and Baker were purchasers. The highest bull price was 82 gs., given by Mr. Woodward for the calf Viceroy by General Hopewell. The 48 female lots averaged about 27 gs., and the 8 bulls 33 gs.; and the sum total of the sale was 1,422 gs.

SALE OF HEREFORD STOCK.-Castor (1900) has left the herd of Mr. Duckham (where he has done good service for two seasons) for the far west: he is now the property of Mr. R. Davy, M.P. for West Cornwall. Castor was by the celebrated bull Sir Benjamin (1387), dam Spot by Cholstrey (217), g. d. Spot by Hope (439), and combines in a peculiar degree the best of the red with white face, the light and dark grey and mottled-faced blood. Although in appearance rather short, yet his great substance, heavy flesh, and depth of rib, enabled him to weigh down 17 cwt. when leaving the abode of the past two years, and only three years old. Mr. Bedford's prize steer, after winning at Leominster, Hereford, and Bromyard, is gone to the stalls of the Earl of Shrewsbury, to be trained on for the New Hall at Islington in 1863. Mr. Turner's Percy (2155), second winner at Battersea and Hereford, and first at Leominster, is gone to Breconshire, to the herd of Mr. Downes, Maes-Mawr, for £80.

MOUNTBLANEY SALE OF SHORTHORNS.-Mr. Morrison's sale averaged as follows: The teu cows realized £277 48., the average of each being about £27 78. The twoyear olds averaged £28 7s. 6d.; the one-year-olde, £23 31.; the five heifer calves, £19 28. odd, and the three bull calves £20 68. Altogether, the amount realized by the shorthorned fetched high prices. The Leicester ewes were bought by Mr. cattle was £585 18s. The sheep was a very brisk sale, and Murray, Methlic, at prices from 26s. to 32s. 6d. each, 29s. 6d. being the average. Forty Southdowns sold at from 30s. 6d. to 358. 6d. each. The purchasers were Mr. Murray, five at 32; Mr. G. Hadden, Coburty, five at 358. 6d., and at 31s. 6d.; Mr. H. A. Rannie, of Greenlaw, five at 31s. 6d.; Mr. Cruickshank, Comisty, five at 30s. 6d., and five at 32s.; and Mr. Ronaldson, Little Gight, five at 30s. 6d., and five at 33s. 6d. Mr. Murray had five shearlings at 20s.; Mr. H. A. Rannie, five at 22.; Mr. Cruickshank, Comisty, five at 29s.; and Mr. Williamson, Newton, four at 28s.

A MODEL COW.-Mr. Charles Howard's shorthorn cow, Lady Selina Spencer, the dam of the twin bull calves shewn at Leeds, and one of which took the first prize, produced an Wednesday evening last another pair of bull calves, of good colours, so that at under four years and four months old she has brought five live calves. Lady Selina took a prize at the recent show at Leighton Buzzard, and thus admirably com bines good pedigree, breeding qualities, and fashionable sp pearance.

THE NUMBER OF HORSES TO BE EMPLOYED ON A FARM.-REPLY TO E. S. H.-Local customs as well as different modes of farming render it difficult to give a decisive reply to the question. Two hundred acres of arable land of the description given of his friend's farm by "E, S.H." will require at least three ploughs, with such a number of horses to each as the custom of the country renders necessary. In Norfolk, where the soil is light or mixed, three ploughs, drawn by two horses each-say six horses and a supernumerary one-would be amply sufficient for the ordinary work on twe hundred acres. But the strong clay soil of Kent, especially if not drained, requires more tillage, and is more difficult to till, than light or even well-drained clay land. Much also dependa on the mode in which it is intended to farm-whether on the four, five, or six-shift husbandry, and whether the clover leys will stand two years or be broken up and sown the first, which latter increases the labour. Improvements, also, on first etering upon a farm, increase the amount of work for horses. But if three and four of these are employed in each plough, there ought to be quite a sufficiency of horse-power attached to three ploughs to do all the work of the farm of 370 seres, of which only 200 acres are arable land-say from ten to twelve horses.