MR. RAREY, THE AMERICAN HORSE TAMER. When the sportsman or the horseman, who has studied the animal all his life, and knows too well his freaks of temper and easily alarmed disposition-when such a one is told that the worst-tempered brute that ever was handled, or the greatest savage that ever was put into a box, can be conquered and quieted in five or ten minutes-when simply by leaving with him, for some such space of time, an unassuming young man, all the vice is effectually taken out of him—and when he hears, moreover, of there being no perceptible means by which this is accomplished, but that the thing is merely "a secret"-When, we say, a sportsman reads or is told of all this, what in ninetynine times out of a hundred will he do? With a pleasant smile, and a slight shrug of the shoulders, he will most likely auswer at once that "it must be humbug." Or, if he does not say so, he is sure to think so, which comes to very much the same. Now there is just one step beyond this. He must exercise another of his senses before he quite condemns the discovery. By this, thanks to The Times and other channels, he has no doubt heard a good deal of the horse-tamer; but if our friend is a practical man, as we will take him to be, he will go a step further, and see him. He will judge for himself, as many have already. He will go something more than sceptical as to what is to be palmed-off on him, and he will come away convinced, at least, there is a great deal in it. We state this as the general impression left on all who have hitherto seen the effects of Mr. Rarey's system, and we give it as our own. Horse-tamers aud Whisperers are, or have been, by no means unknown amongst us; and we walked into Mr. Anderson's yard quite ready to assure ourselves that we were going to witness some clever trick, or some individual exhibition of personal power of haud or eye, that might be as curious and amusing, perhaps, as a scene in the Circus, and that would be all. We found the exhibiter, a young well-made American, just recognizable from the tone of his voice as a States-man, in an inuer yard in company with a goodish-looking black horse. In one word, he was doing just what he pleased with this animal. And there stood Mr. Anderson and Mr. Rice ready to assure you that a week since they, with all their knowledge of their busiuess-George Rice with all his fine te uper and fine hauds-could do nothing at all with him. He had been sold, and returued as restive and unmanageable, and there was no help for it but to take him back. He was one of those sad brutes, that with all the look and power of two or three hundred guinea horses, sink down into street cabs sheerly from the impossibility of ever being able to trust then. Mr. Rarey wanted a patient, and here was one that promised to try all his art. He requested only one quarter-of-an-hour's conversation with the unreasonable creature; at the end of that time the black horse was black only in colour. His nature was changed, and the devil fairly gone out of him. We saw what we write. We saw this violent-tempered auimal that had been, stand quietly in the middle of the yard, with a plain hard-and-sharp in his mouth, and the rein hanging loose on his neck-and we saw the American wheel a heavy barrow straight up to his head and round him, without the horse flinching in the least. Then the horse-tamer cracked a carriage-whip over his head, and still the animal stood as placidly, and, apparently, as unconcerned as ever. Mr. Rarey next proceeded to mount him, and here perhaps to a sportsman was the most pleasing part of the whole performance. With the rein still loose on his neck, the horse moved and turned, just as the rider moved his hand. We have all seen a "wonderful pony" in the Circus stop and twist round in obedience to the promptings of a tolerably wellpointed whip. But there was nothing of this sort with Mr. Rarey. There was no effort on his part, and there was nothing anxious or nervous in the look of his horse. In fact, he was so calm, his eye so steady and so much at ease, that it was difficult to imagine he ever could have been the vicious obstinate brute too many could speak to. "The manner" of the horse gave one more the notion of an old family pony, not so much subdued, as won over by kind treatment and long usage. You got on him "any-how," and got off him "anyhow." One old sportsmen mounted the horse with his halfcigar in his mouth, and slid down again over his tail. A week since the same horse would have kicked his brains out, could any man have been found fool-hardy enough to attempt such an act. Mr. Rarey concluded this demonstration of his power The horse-tamer declares his means are simply rational and kindly treatment. He denies the use of any drug, or appliance that can in any way injure the proper spirit or true nature of the horse. He maintains his secret can be imparted to others, and can be as effectually used by them as by himself. And he guarantees that a horse once conquered is conquered for ever. It is only fair to say that the recent performances before her Majesty and the Court all tend to confirm this. Lord Alfred Paget, to whom the secret has been entrusted, has already appeared as a successful practitioner of the art, while the horses operated upon have shown no disposition to return to their former evil ways. We must repeat there is a good deal in this-more than many a man who has been contending all his life with vicious and restive horses will like at first to admit. It is suggestive, however, at least, that no one who has seen the effect of what is done, but has gone away with a very different opinion to that he entertained on only hearing of it. Mr. Harry Hill, who strolled in to witness the experiment with very doubting eyes, ended by asking if his colts could not be broken on such a Horses shy of water can be principle? Of course they can. made to face it, and, indeed, to do a vast deal more than we mean to tell of here, purely because we do not want to have our word questioned. On the first available opportunity let every one go and judge for himself. Mr. Rarey is accompanied by Mr. Goodenough, who, we will answer for it, rom our own experience, will treat every application made to him with all proper courtesy and respect.- Sporting Magazine for February. SIMPLE REMEDY FOR THE PLEUROPNEUMONIA. SIR,-Being a constant reader of your valuable paper, I have seen several remedies recommended for that fatal disease called pleuro pneumonia, which 18 now so prevalent amongst cattle and sheep, in all parts of the country, to the great loss aid almost ruin of many stock masters; and which I think may be, in many cases, prevented by a little attention and the following treatment, which I have app ied for many years, with great success; indeed. I never knew it to fail, if properly carried out; and I have had some little experience, having had the management of stock and sheep for many years in different Counties. The pleuro-pneumonia visits us at all seasons, but, generally, most in the autumn or winter-no doubt from the toggy and wet state of the atmosphere, which affects the lungs, particular of those that are pre-disposed; therefore, about the last week in October, when the stock are generally taken into the yard, I give to each beast, according to size and age, from half-a-pound to a pound of Stockholm tar, and a handful or two of salt, mixed; taking care, at the time, to rub it well into their nostrils. This I repeat once a week, if the disease is prevalent near us, only in less quantity; if not, I repeat it once a mouth, and at all times, when I buy in a fresh lot of beasts, give them a dose of tar and salt. When I first heard of the disease, we had about 90 head of cattle, and had a twoyr old heifer attacked, which died in four days. The disease was very destructive all around the neighbourhood; I gave all the other stock a dose of tar and salt, and we had no more taken. I then recommended the same dose to my neighbours, and had the pleasure of seeing the same result. There is no doubt about the disease being contagious; I therefore advise all persons who keep cattle, to be particular in keeping the houses and sheds clean, and lime-washed once a year at least. For sheep, I give about two table-spoonsful of the same, with the like result. Any gentlemen who may think proper to try this simple preventive, will find themselves amply repaid for their trouble, and if they will please to make known to me the result, I should be greatly obliged. What I have stated is from my own practical experience; and if you think it worth a small space in your valuable pages, I should take it as a great compliment to myself, and hope it would prove a benefit to all. I am, sir, your humble servant, GENERAL AGRICULTURAL FEBRUARY. REPORTS. Barley continues to be in fair request, and the quotations, compared with wheat, rule somewhat steady, although the exports of grain-spirit to the continent have fallen off to some extent. Most other kinds of spring corn have sup ported previous rates tolerably well, yet the currencies of inferior oats have had a drooping tendency. From Ireland the shipments of oats and other articles have been on a very moderate scale; but from Scotland, large quantities of wheat, barley, and oats continue to be forwarded to the south. The cattle trade has been in a depressed state both in London and in the provincial markets, and prices generally have given way. The supplies of live stock exhibited in the metropolitan markets have not increased in number, though there has been a decided improvement in the weight and condition of the beasts; still the great falling-off in the consumption of meat in Manchester, Birmingham, &c., has had the effect of inducing many parties to forward unusu ally large quantities of meat to Newgate and Leadenhall. These supplies have been disposed of at low prices, and consequently the consumption of London has been chiefly met by country-killed supplies. Although the supplies of hay and straw have not increased, the demand has fallen off and prices have given way. Meadow hay has sold at from £2 10s. to £3 16s.; clover do., £3 10s. to £4 16s.; and straw, £1 4s. to £1 9s. load. per AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR have declined to thrash out larger quantities of wheat than the local millers are able to take off; still, there is one important element wanting in the trade, viz., speculation, This has been a remarkably fine month for all out-door which, with moderate arrivals, might again be in the asfarm operations. In most parts of England they have pro-cendant, and give an additional, perhaps an important, tone gressed steadily, and are now quite as forward as in the ge- to the trade. neral run of years. Thus far, matters are satisfactory; but, if we turn our attention to the state of the grain trade, we shall find matter for serious consideration. Not that the fall in the value of produce since we last wrote has been extensive indeed, the fluctuations in prices have been comparatively trifling—but in various quarters gloomy anticipations have been indulged in as regards the future. Wheat is now about the cheapest article of consumption, and present appearances of the trade certainly indicate future depression, notwithstanding that the manufacturing industry of the country is recovering from the late panic, that money is very abundant and cheap, and that consumption has somewhat improved of late. There are, however, influences at work calculated to preveat any upward movement in the quotations. In the first place, the stocks of wheat in the hands of our farmers are unquestionably large for the time of year; in the second, the French markets continue to be heavily supplied with all kinds of produce; and, in the next, we have as yet received but a limited quantity of wheat from the United States, the growth of 1857. In that year the yield was an unusually fine one, both as to quantity and quality; but the movement to the shipping ports, owing to the commercial panic, was very small during the last three months of the season. For instance, since the 1st of September the shipments of wheat were only about 3,000,000 bushels, against over 7,000,000 bushels in the corresponding period in 1856; hence, present stocks in the United States are very large, and prices continue to rule low. In France, too, nearly the same state of things prevails, and the fall in the quotations since the 1st of July has been forty-one per cent.; nevertheless, with open ports, or nearly so, present prices are eagerly accepted by the growers. The fact is that the French agriculturists and millers have been dissappointed as regards the effects of the new law permitting the export of produce. They, at one time, looked forward to considerable excitement in the trade and consequently to higher prices, as the result of the permission given to ship grain and flour; but they appear to have overlooked the fact that the growth of corn last year, in all the grain districts of the world-and especially in this country -was the largest on record. True, the partial failure of our potato crop might be taken as a proof that more grain would be consumed; but as the growth of potatoes on the continent has turned out very large, and as immense quantities have been shipped to this country during the last two months in fair condition, the losses have been thus partially met by the foreigner. But even on this important matter much might be written, and, if our informa- REVIEW OF THE CATTLE TRADE DURING tion be correct, it would now appear that the actual losses have not turned out soextensive as they were at one time supposed. At all events, there is no actual scarcity of English potatoes, though we admit that their quality is not such as to command what may be termed a ready market. What, then, shall we say in reference to the probable future range in the value of wheat and other articles? It must be admitted that there is no scarcity of supply either here, in France, or in the United States. The supply, we are of opinion, will be found more than equal to general consumption, and if the system-still persevered in to an unusual extent, more especially in reference to the importations from the north of Europe-of selling at any price, be continued, it is impossible to say at what figure the downward movement in wheat will stop. But even with present abundance, it appears to us that it is absolute folly for the foreign growers to inundate our markets with more produce than the demand can take off. Fortunately, our farmers have acted upon the defensive principle; in other words, they For all kinds of foreign and colonial wool the demand has been in a most unsatisfactory state, yet the decline in prices has not been extensive. English wools have met a slow inquiry on former terms. The present stocks of colonial in London are 28,175 bales, viz.: 5,186 Sydney, 7,834 Port Philip and Portland Bay, 390 Adelaide, 7 New Zealand, and 14,758 Cape. In addition to these supplies, there are in warehouse 1,145 bales East India and 297 China. It is a remarkable fact that not a single bale of Van Diemen's Land wool is on haud. The root crops are lasting well, and very large quantities are now offering at low prices. In some parts of the country large patches of turnips are offered for sheep-feeding free of expense. In Ireland and Scotland the wheat trade has ruled heavy, and prices have continued to give way; spring corn, however, has supported previous quotations. For stock-feeding the weather has been favourable. THE PAST MONTH. Notwithstanding that the metropolitan market has been very moderately supplied with beasts and sheep, more especially with the latter, during the whole of the month, trade generally has been depressed, and a fall of from 2d. to 4d. per 8lbs. has taken place in the quotations. Even at that amount of depression, the butchers have purchased cautiously, and wholly for present wants. This state of the trade has induced the opinion in some quarters that consumption in London has greatly fallen off. Such, however, we believe is not the case, since we find that the receipts of meat from our provinces, as well as from Scotland, have been considerably in excess of most corresponding periods of the year. No doubt consumption in our manufacturing districts has seriously declined, and this fact has induced those who have been in the habit of supplying Birmingham, Manchester, &c., somewhat liberally, to turn their attention to London, and the low charges by the various railway companies for the conveyance of meat, vis., One penny per ton per mile, have had the effect of increasing the supplies to a considerable extent. Then, again, we must not forget that wool, hides, and akins are worth more in some parts of the country than in the metropolis; so that, although meat in Newgate and Leadenhall has been sold at very low prices, there has been no actual loss, in a comparative sense, in the present increased mode of supplying the wants of London. In Holland, and on some other parts of the continent, stock is now relatively dearer than in England; consequently the importations into Loudon have exhibited a further decrease. Last month they were as follows: This comparison shows that the supply of sheep disposed of has been smaller than during the last five years. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, 10.020 Scots and short-horns came to hand during the month. From other parts of England the receipts were 3,850 of various breeds, from Scotland 2,340 Scots, and from Ireland 1,012 oxen and heifers. About 1,200 shorn sheep have made their appearance in the market, and which have sold at from 6d. to 8d. per 8lbs. beneath those in the wool. It is to be regretted that shearing should be commenced et so early a period, because it frequently happens that the loss upon each head is fully 2d. per 8lbs., as the butchers are never disposed to purchase stock out of the wool during inclement weather. Wool may be worth more in some parts of the country than in the metropolis; but our impression is that the flockmasters lose money by early shearing-that is to say, if the sheep are intended for immediate sale. Beef has sold at from 3s. to 4s. 6d.; mutton, 33. 2d. to 5s. 2d.; veal, 4s. to 5s.; pork, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 6d. per 8lbs. to sink the offal. In the corresponding month in 1857, the best beef realized 5s, the best mutton 6s., the best veal 5s. 8d., and the best pork 5s. 2d. per 8lbs. The fall, therefore, compared with last season, is a serious one, and many of the graziers who bought store animals at high rates are now losing money. Nearly 40,000 carcases of meat have been received up to Newgate and Leadenhall markets during the month. The trade generally has been in a most depressed state at drooping currencies. Beef has sold at from 2s. 10d. to 4s. 4d.; mutton, 3s. to 48. 6d.; veal, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. ; pork, 3s. 2d. to 4s. 6d. per 8 lbs. by the carcase. Letters from Holland state that the supplies of stock likely to be shipped to this country during the present year are still limited, that prices rule high, and that purchases of both beasts and sheep still continue to be effected on French account. In the north of Europe the supplies have rather FAIRS, &c. APPLEBY HORSE FAIR.-A few very good animale were shewn, and for some, good prices were obtained. BANBURY FAIR.-The supply of beef and mutton, of all kinds, is very good, and although sales are complained against by a few, yet the trade done may be considered satisfactory, prices being much the same as last fair. The quality of the cattle is really excellent, and best things met with a speedy sale. BEDALE FAIR.-We had a thin show of fat stock, which sold readily at rather higher prices. In lean stock and incalvers there was also a short supply, but they sold well, and prices remained unaltered. Beef, 6s. to 78. per stone; mutton, 5d. to 6d. per lb. BEVERLEY FAIR had a good attendance of buyers. A limited supply of first-class horses had ready sale; a good show of medium and inferior ones had dull demand and prices low. A very limited number of cattle had slow sale, and prices still lowering. BRIDGNORTH FAIR was very depressed, the supply of stock being very small, and the attendance of dealers smaller than usual. Sheep sold from 7d. to 74d., and some fine ewes went as high as 73d. Cows sold from 6d. to 64d. Cows and calves were about the same as last fair. Pigs continue low. The horse fair was ill supplied; and what stock was there was in very bad condition. The highest price fetched for small waggon horses was 301. BROUGH FAIR.-There was a large show of well-bred beasts, and a number of influential buyers and jobbers, but all seemed inclined not to give the prices asked, which soon caused a different aspect, and the market became flat, and was much down compared to the fair held in January; except calvers, which went off well. Groups of cattle were unsold. CARLISLE HORSE FAIR.-The display of horses on this occasion surpassed anything of the kind for the last thirty or forty years, both as to numbers and quality, the market being quite full. The number of saddle horses was not very great, neither was the quality of this class first-rate. We do not remember having seen a smaller number of old and low condition animals on a similar occasion. The amount of business transacted was not so extensive as might have been expected, and price had a downward tendency. DEVIZES FAIR.-The show of worked-off oxen, suitable for grazing purposes, was large, and sold at about £2 in £20 less than last year; at this reduction a fair trade was done, although a few lots were taken away unsold. Barreners, incalvers, and milch beasts were in short supply, and sold at about £1 per head less money. Beef, from 10s. to 11s. per score. The great feature at this fair was the worked-off oxen; and it is admitted, we believe, on all hands, that a few years at the plough is decidedly beneficial for grazing, and improves the flavour of the meat if not worked too long. As regards the horse fair, we cannot say much. Mr. Edmonds, of Wroughton, sold two or three good cart horses, and we heard of one or two use'ul nags being sold in the stables; in other respects little business was done. DORCHESTER FAIR was scarcely so large as on previous occasions; but business may be fairly said to be brisk, and on every description of stock prices were good, and a more than average amount of business was done. DUMFRIES HORSE FAIR-The number of horses was at no time greater than 300, or about a fourth less than the number brought forward last year, and, as usual, they were almost entirely draught horses. The general proportion of very good horses was not great, and the fall in that class was not more than 15 per cent. from the rates of last February. On secondary stock the reduction was at least 20 per cent.; on third class about the same; while for lower grades there was no demand. Mr. Foster sold 10 on Monday to another dealer at prices varying from £40 to £50; and he was asking £60 for a fine draught mare, for which he could have got upwards of £70 last year. Messrs. Teenan and Clarke sold a grey mare for £52; a powerful horse for £53; another mare, a splendid animal, for £56, the buyer in the latter instance baving been a farmer from the neighbourhood of Kirkcudbright; and they also disposed of 4, about £50 each, to a purchaser from Peeblesshire. Mr. Brown, Hardgrave, sold a pair of beautiful draught horses for £100; and Mr. Carruthers, Broklehirst, sold another similar animal for 50 guineas. Such are some of the transactions in the best class of horses; for other kinds a degree inferior the prevailing rates were from £30 to £40; and a considerable proportion of good animals for farming labour changed owners at £25 and under. EGREMONT HORSE FAIR was very thinly attended, both of horses and purchasers. EXETER FAIR was numerously attended by farmers and dealers, and well supplied with cattle of the primest quality. Perhaps the number of dealers present was greater than butchers or consumers wished to see. There was no alteration in prices. The best fat beef realized from 9s. 6d. to 10s. 6d. ; barreners, 78. to 8s. per score; cows and calves, £12 to £48. GLOUCESTER MONTHLY MARKET.-The supply of beef was large, but of inferior quality, and a flat sale; of mutton the supply was good, and the whole was soon disposed of. Beef, 6d. to 64d.; mutton, 7d. to 7 d. per lb. KELSO FORTNIGHTLY MARKET.-There was a good show of fat cattle, and several of the lots were of excellent quality. There was a good attendance of buyers, with a brisk demand, and nearly the whole were quickly cleared off at prices a shade better than our previous market. Beef may be quoted at 6s. 3d. to 6s. 9d., and a few superior brought about 7s. per stone. There was a small supply of sheep, which sold readily at 64d. per lb. A fair show of cows, which were selling LEDBURY FAIR.-The supply of stock was rather at from £10 to £16. short. Some prime fat cows were offered, which realized good prices. Buyers were numerous, and most of the stock offered was sold at an early hour. Fat cows, 6d. to 7d.; ditto sheep, 64d. to 7d.; store ditto, 26s. to 38s. each; fat pigs, 8s. Gd. per score; store ditto, 28s. to 36s. each. LEOMINSTER FAIR.-There was not a large quantity of fat beef; the highest figure was about 64d. per lb. Best wether mutton brought 7d. per lb. There were many buyers of stores, and good barrens brought full prices. NEWTON STEWART HORSE FAIR.. There was scarcely the average number of horses, and very few sales took place, farmers wishing to obtain the prices of the last two or three years; but any sales which took place were from 15 to 20 per cent, less. There were very few dealers present. NORTHALLERTON FAIR.-A thin show of all descriptions of stock, with plenty of buyers. Lean beasts sold at lower prices. Beef, 6s. 3d. to 7s. per stone. The number of horses shown was very great, and dealers from all parts were numerous. Several first-rate hunting and carriage horses were readily sold at high rates, and inferior ones 20 to 30 per cent. lower than last year. Draught horses were in demand, at good prices. OXFORD GREAT MARKET.-There was a short supply of good beef and mutton, and as the demand was rather considerable all went off at prices quite as high as last market-beef, 4s. 4d. to 4s. 8d.; mutton, 5s. to 5s. 4d. per stone. Store cattle and sheep were not so plentiful as on former occasions, and a dulness prevailed, very few changing hands. The pig market was unusually dull with a short supply-good English hogs from 8s. 6d. to 9s.; porkers 9s. to 9s. 6d. per score. PENRITH HORSE FAIR.-There was a tolerably large show of farm horses, and a quantity of old hacks. The business doing was very limited, and prices much below those of last year. For a very superior animal we heard of £40 having been offered. RUGBY FAIR.-There was a good supply of beef, at from 5 d. to 64d.; a short supply of mutton, from 6d. to 7d. Store beasts easier to buy. A short supply of horses, at low prices. SHREWSBURY FORTNIGHTLY MARKET. — The best fat heifer beef sold from 6d. to 64d. per lb.; fat calves, 6d. to 6 d. per lb.; useful store cattle selling at fair prices; TEWKESBURY FAIR was very well attended, and a large supply of stock, mostly fat. Demand limited, and sellers had to dispose of their stock at very low prices. Beef sold at 5d. to 6d. ; mutton, 6d. to 64d. The horse fair was thinly attended, and what sales were made were at very low figures. YORK FORTNIGHTLY MARKET.-Calving and dairy cows, and all kinds of grazing beasts, had fair sale, at former rates. A moderate supply of fat beasts sold at 6s. 6d. to 78. per stone. A fair show of mutton sheep went at 6d. to 6d. ; superior ditto, 7d. per lb. A good supply of grazing sheep had fair demand: hog sheep, 22s. to 43s. per head. The market is a little on the improve. CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. Sow oats and barley on dry and early lands during dry weather; also spring wheat, vetches, peas, beans, and flax-seed. Sow lucerne on wellprepared ground, trenched or very deeply-ploughed and richly dunged. Sow carrots and parsnips on good warm sandy loams, that are in good condition from previous treatment, without the present application of fresh manure: steep the seeds in leys of urine, and dry them with lime. Sow sainfoin, and dress the young plants with gypsum. Apply artificial manures and top-dressings on young wheats, barleys, and clovers-as soot and salt, malt combs, rape-dust, nitrate of soda, pigeons' dung, and gypsum. Sow cabbage seeds for summer plants, and lay composts on grass lands. Plant hops, and make the hills six feet distant each way. Use well-rotted dung, and put four sets in each hill, one in each corner, and cover them lightly with earth, leaving the upper end of the set just in light of day. Continue the planting of forest trees and of young hedges, but cease if dry weather sets in. The cutting of underwoods will now be finished. Watered meadows may now be stocked with light animals. Set traps for vermin, and spread molehills. Plough fallows for green crops, and also clay lands for bare fallows, if the weather be dry. Shut up the fields that are intended for hay, and finish In wet weather laying composts on grass lands. thrash grains, and carry dung from the yard to the heaps in the fields. In many situations ewes will drop lambs very largely in this month. Feed with juicy succulent food, as beet, cabbages, and turnips, and provide a warm shelter, which is equally necessary with the food itself. The shelter sheds must be dry, and frequently littered with short straws and chaffs. Remove the ewes and lambs from the paddock to the pasture field regularly, as the lambs get strong. Keep the poultry-houses dry and warm, and set all kinds of eggs for hatching. Feed amply, and provide clear spring-water. Finish the killing of hogs for bacon, and keep all young pigs for summer stores, and for early feeding next winter. The latest fattening bullocks must now be sold, or pushed forward by superior feeding. The long days will now require a greater supply of food, as daylight always induces animals to eat more. REVIEW OF THE CORN TRADE DURING THE PAST MONTH. The indications of wintry weather which were given at the close of January, after some rapid fluctuations and a moderate fall of snow, were verified in the progress of the past month, which closed with great sharpness. Still, as it has remained on the whole unusually dry, we do not find the promising aspect of the growing wheat abated in this country; but in America the absence of a snow-covering has left the autumnal wheat too much exposed, and it is in some localities presenting a sickly appearance. On the other hand, there were recent complaints from parts of Spain that the crop was impeded in its growth for want of rain, which has since fallen, but not in sufficient plenty. It will not be safe, therefore, to make too sure that another heavy crop will follow the last, as the most critical periods have all to be passed through. The wheat trade has, however, not revived, an ample six months' stock being yet in growers' hands, and foreign supplies being good, notwithstanding the fact that nearly all are either sold to a heavy loss, or placed in granary to prevent it. The money market has indeed passed from scarcity and "high pressure," to a burdensome abundance, with very low rates of interest; but trade and confidence have not yet returned. The month opened with complete depression, and markets have generally declined 2s. to 3s. per qr., and though an impression has been lately gaining ground that the "minimum" price has been about reached, with the country pointing upwards, the sudden overthrow of the Palmerston Ministry may again unhinge the minds of capitalists, and prevent speculative purchases, notwithstanding a fall in the averages to 45s. 8d. per qr. The least probability, however, of a war with our present allies would soon change the face of things, and the plenty now offering in the markets be materially reduced. Lord Derby or his successor will doubtless endeavour to prevent such a calamity, but Orsini's projectile may yet be the occasion of a general flame. Potatoes have held out better than expected; but as flour is comparatively lower, there must be a larger consumption, and millers keep low in stock, and proportionately dependent on events. Foreign quotations by last advices were as follows: France, somewhat improving, quotes the price of good wheat at Paris about 42s. per qr., and flour 31s. per sack, or Is. per sack below Norfolks. At Seville, flour 50s. per sack; mixed wheat 53s., hard 58s. 6d. per qr. Cadiz: Flour, 50s. 6d. per sack. Marianopoli wheat, at Barcelona, 45s. 9d. per qr.; worth the same here. Ghirka wheat at Odessa was quoted 423. to 44s. 8d. (selling here at 46s.), hard to 55s. per qr., with a fair business doing against the opening of the port. At Leghorn, native wheat was 48s. 6d. per qr.; Genoa quoting 50s. for Berdianski. Saidi wheat at Alexandria was quoted 27s. 4d.; selling here at 31s. 6d. per qr. The Baltic ports, which are closed except to steamers cutting their way at great expense, show a range of prices nearer to our own; good red at Stettin being procurable at 40s. per qr., fiue high mixed at Danzig 46s. 6d. per qr.; but the stock there of all sorts was at present only about 28,000 grs. Rhenish wheat in Holland was worth 46s. 6d., and in Belgium, good quality ranged from 43s. to 44s. 6d. per qr. New York has a large stock of flour, which was looking down; but wheat was buoyant, white Southern being quoted at 1 dol. 40c. per bush., equal to 48s. per qr.; red 1 dol. 22c., equal to 42s. per qr. The first Monday opened with moderate supplies of both English and foreign wheat. The morning's supply from the near counties did not exceed an average, the weather being again frosty; but there were many samples left over from the previous week, and a large fleet of foreign vessels being reported off the coast, there was an unusual depression, so that it was necessary to submit to a reduction of 2s. to 3s. per qr., to make any way. Foreign was equally dificult to place; but holders were not so ready to make an equal concession. This account had its effect in the country, but generally the reduction was not so heavy, some places only noting a difficulty in sales; Sheffield and Birmingham making the decline only 1s. per qr., but there wis almost a panic at Leeds, at 3s. per qr. less money. Liverpool, on its first market, gave way 2d. to 3d. per 70lbs., without any quotable reduction on the following Friday. Saturday's markets generally noting a fall of 1s. to 2s.; but Friday, in London, was the dullest day known for some time, and a good deal of fine Kentish was sent back unsold. The second Monday, as respects the addition of foreign samples, was mucli below the average, with only a moderate quantity of English. This morning, there was a fair show from Kent, with less from Essex. The day was clear and frosty, and highly favourable to the condition of the samples; and those millers who did not avail themselves of Friday's depression, found, for picked samples, they had to pay the prices of the previous se'nnight: but, though more tone was evinced by all holders, it was a poor day as respects business, a good many parcels of English being left on the stands. The tone of the trade improved in London as the week closed, Friday realizing an occasional advance of 1s. per qr. for picked parcels of English and foreign. The country reports varied. Some of the early markets in Lincolnshire showed progress with the downward movement; but the general tendency was to advance. Hull, Louth, York, and several other places, made no change; Birmingham, Boston, Wolverhampton, Peterborough, Derby, and Lincoln were all is. per qr. better; Norwich, Leicester, and Grantham noting an advance of 2s. per qr. Liverpool, on Tuesday, was dull, holders refusing to accept lower rates. On Friday, 2d. per |