must receive from various quarters, previous to the next crop coming into consumption, and the very large supplies which, during the same period, must be sent into the market of our home growth, for sale, the demand for all descriptions of grain must be more than satisfied, and the sales accordingly will in every probability, be more than usually languid for that time of the year. Under these circumstances, should the appearances in the fields be, in any way, cheering, a decline in prices may be anticipated, and a panic may thereby be created, which may render the fall much greater than circumstances may then justify. Until next summer, at all events, it is not probable that any further material advance will take place in the necessaries of life, and then ample proof will be given of the capabilities in production of the United Kingdom being, even at the present time, sufficient, on the average of years, for the consumption of the population. During the month of January, prices of wheat have not varied so much as might have been expected. In the beginning of the month, this article rather declined under the prices which were obtained for it during the month of December, but they afterwards recovered a portion of that depression. The demand, however, again became extremely dull towards the close of the month, the trade generally became heavy, and prices fell from 5s. to 7s. per qr., according to quality. Although every market, throughout the country, has been rather well supplied with barley since our last publication, than otherwise, still the demand has been more than the deliveries were equal to, and a considerable improvement in prices has been the necessary consequence. A quantity has been taken off in various markets for grinding, and this channel for consumption must continue, until the value of wheat becomes more moderate. Large (sales of it have likewise been made to the maltsters, whose stocks at the close of the last malting season were not so large as usual, and, as the quality, in many respects, is fine, nothing, excepting the price, can prevent fa more than usual quantity of this article being, during the current season, converted into malt. It is much to be regretted that the malt duty is so high, otherwise the consumption by the brewers might, in a few years, double the quantity now used by them. Of oats during the last month, the supply has been sufficiently large to prevent any material improvement occurring in their value, but the lateness of the season and the damp state in which a great portion of this crop was secured in Ireland, have as yet prevented the shipments from that kingdom being so large, as they otherwise, no doubt, would have been. They are now, however, either by kiln-drying, or by some natural cause coming into better condition, and being in a proper state to stand a moderate voyage, now the supplies of them, in all the great British markets of consumption, may be expected in future to be unusually large, for the growth of last year has certainly been large, and a decline in their price, though perhaps to no great extent, is generally anticipated. In Great Britain now the production of oats is not so much attended to as it used to be, and generally the crops of this article find sufficient consumption in the neighbourhood of their growth. From Ireland, therefore, we must look for the supply of them for nearly all our large markets in future, and to eucourage their cultivation there becomes therefore annually now an object of great interest to the prosperity of this part of the empire, for, to purchase them in that country, must certainly be far more advantageous to us, than to procure them from the opposite coast of the Continent, even at lower prices. It is not possible that a stronger argument can be urged in favour of the Corn Laws as will duly protect our home growers of grain, than the present state of Ireland; indeed it is unanswerable, for their entire repeal must put an end to agricultural improvement in that nearly uncultivated, though most improvable country, and add, if it be possible to do so, to the poverty and wretchedness of the lower classes of society there. It is only by the cultivation of the land in Ireland that commerce and manufacturers can flourish there, and it is only by productive labour of this description that her people can become contented and prosperous. As was the case formerly in Scotland, by proper encouragement being given to agricultural pursuits, alone can the fisheries be rendered subservient to the wealth of Ireland. By this medium alone can the energies of her people be brought forward into complete action. Wherever industry receives due protection, cities arise from villages, and commerce increases the means for profitably employing the people, and introduces amongst them all the advantages which attend civilization. To repeal the Corn Laws entirely closes on the people of Ireland even the chance of these bright prospects being ever rendered real to them, and assuredly no benefit, which too cheap corn can confer on the manufacturers of Great Britain, can, in any way, counter-balance the fatal consequences to Ireland of any material alteration of this description occurring, by which the progress of agricultural improvements may be impeded throughout the United Kingdoms, and more particularly in that Island. From the best information, which we can collect, the winter wheats are looking extremely favourable. The quantity of grass land thrown this season into cropping fields, is unusually extensive. Notwithstanding the mildness of the weather, the plants of wheat are by no means too far forward. They are looking however healthy, and are forming good roots in the land. In due season, therefore, they will come away from the ground with unusual strength, and, if not checked in the latter part of the spring, they must then promise a most abundant produce. Field labour for the spring crops is also making much progress, and the ground generally is even already in tolerably good order for the reception of seed grain of all descriptions. Should the spring months therefore only be usually favourable, the prospects towards the month of May must become cheering in the extreme to the agriculturist. Far be it from our intention even to insinuate, under such circumstances, what should now be the conduct of farmers, who still hold the greatest portions of the last year's crop of wheat. We shall only at present use the liberty, therefore, of reminding them, that prices now are high, and that the corn trade is much more uncertain than any other is. The value of grain depends more on public opinion than that of any other article, with which we are acquainted. Confidence frequently supports prices without any well founded cause, and we have seen a panic causing a violent depression, for which no just foundation whatever existed. The appearances in the fields at all events ought to be watched with the greatest care and anxiety, for on them mainly depends now the future value of the last crop of wheat. Importations from Foreign nations, should prices be encouraging, will also still be large, and the great additions of land, which is annually brought into cultivation in Ireland must be included in any calculations, which may be entered into respecting the probable value of all descriptions of grain during the summer months. Under these prospects little money will be invested at home in speculative pur BEANS ............. ...... .... ............ 24 25 24 27 Black.. 26 27 28 29 Potatoe 30 32 40 42 Sinall. 42 45 42 maple.. 43 44 46 48 boilers.. 52 54 361..Irish 25/ per last English Red Clover, fine.. 64 70 80s percwt 58 68 74s Flour from British Possessions...... was cwts.qrs.lbs. cwts.qrs.lbs.cwts.qrs.lbs. 5305 0 8 463 1 0 56738 0 21 2113 0 20 SEED MARKET. JAN. 28. Clo There was rather a large quantity of red verseed offering to-day, which met a very heavy sale at a decline of 29. to 4s. per cwt. White also dull, and somewhat cheaper. In other descriptions of seeds very little business was done, we shall therefore be short in our remarks. Canary was worth from 82s. to 86s. per qr. Linseed, English, none here; fine foreign, 488. to 53s. Very little doing in Rapeseed; Coriander, 17s. to 25s., and the finest are somewhat in request. Caraways have rather improved, and prices may be noted according to quality, at 50s. to 54s. per cwt., and white Mustard little sought after at 8s. to 12s. per bl.; brown Mustard rules at 10s. to 17s. per bl. CLOVER English, red.....73 100 white 54 73 per cwt. ...... FLOUR, American.........per brl. 40 42 per qr crushing 48 50 50 54 34 36 Jarge 38 42 Coriander, new......... .13 18 fine Mustard, brown ........ 13 Hempseed, small new..... ..... .... - white 8 12 Turnip Seed, new Swedes 20 21 other sts.28 36 .......... per cwt. per bushel 48 50 extra 53 364; Jersey and Guernsey, 669; Wisbeach, 220; Kent, Essex, and Suffolk, 295. The trade having been very heavy since the commencement of the present year, owing to the unusual mildness of the weather, and many of the vessels having exceeded their laying days, salesmen have been obliged to warehouse large quantities, and although prices have declined, sales are still effected with difficulty, the late extensive supply enabling the buyers to be very choice in their selection. Per ton. Jersey Whites .... to 65. York Kidneys 90s. Reds...-s. to 80s. American Natives.....-S. Scotch Red -s. to 70s. Devons ..... 75s. Wisbeach Per Ton. 658. Kent, Essex, and Suf- LIVERPOOL, SCOTCH, Jan. 26.-There has been several buyers of Scotch wool attending the public sale this week, but we have not heard of a single sale of laid Highland wool, but as the holders are firm in price, we keep the quotations the same. White Highland none at market. Good clean cross wool is inquired for, and readily commands our highest quotations, inferior and heavy laid is quite neglected. Our remarks respecting cross wool will equally apply to Cheviots, anything really good and clean is in demand heavy, and unwashed is quite neglected. -9. Laid Crossed Washed do. Laid Cheviot, Washed do. White ქი. 14 6 15 6 .... WOOL MARKETS. BRITISH. JAN. 28. The state of the trade remains dull, no business being transacted. When the stock of Wool in the North shall have been consumed, a brisk demand will spring up again; and this neeed not be despaired of, as the manufacturers are generally busy. But the prices that have been given lately have been too high to continue for any length of time, and the present flatness by lowering them again, will only do service to the trade. The dealers generally are not at all alarmed, but are keeping back their Wool for better markets. EXETER. With respect to this article, the dulness that so generally pervaded the market was experienced here also; the dealers were not anxious to purchase, and their offers from 11d. to 11 d. per lb. That isolated transactions for YOLK WOOL on higher terms had taken place in the course of the preceding week is unquestionable, but what we have now more particularly to speak of, is the proceedings, or rather the almost entire want of such on this day, which forbids us from speaking of it otherwise than nominally. In the mean time our accounts from the manufacturing districts in the North of England, concur in representing "the price of Wool, as firm, the consumption great, and the business done in the warehouses very satisfactory." The matter remains then in the hands of the holders of Wool; it is their affair and not ours, whose only duty it is to spare no pains to obtain correct information, and, let this tell how it may, fearlessly to place the statement before the public. These, however, must not forget that in all questions of this description they, likewise, have something to do, and we would again repeat, that neither in the county of Devon, any more than has been the case in other parts of the kingdom, can success be hoped for, without a decidedness of purpose and firm perseverance. In most other respects connected with this important branch of trade, things continue firm, as, if slight decline has taken place in one direction, there has been advance in another. Thus we have to quote WASHED WOOL,-Knott Wool, from 16d. to 17d.; Dorset Horn, 17d. to 18d.: and Marsh Wool, 17d. to 18d. per lb. In SORTS,-of SHORTS,-Coarse and Short Coarse, continue at from 8d. to 83d.; Broad Head, 9d. to 9 d., Kent Head, 10d. to 10d.; Red, Green, and Pinions average from 10 d. to 11d.; Fine Head, is from 11 d. to 12d. per lb. In Stripe Wool, business been done on somewhat lower terms, and we have to quote Cornish Stripe, at from 15d. to 15 d.; and North Devon Stripe, 15d. to 15 d. per lb. FELL WOOLS.-These continue, Long Wool, best parcels, of fine quality, 14d. to 15d.; good lots of Skin Wool, 12 d. to 134d.; ordinary parcels, 11d. to 11 d. per lb. Tops, have advanced to from 20 d. to 20 d. per lb. do.... do...... 34 0 36 0 FOREIGN.-There were scarcely any sales effected by private contract this week, owing to the public auction of Friday, which exhibited a numerous attendance of the trade generally. The competition for the various lots offered was spirited, as it is the opinion of most parties that the prices obtained for Australian were id. to 1 d. per lb. higher than those of last November sales. East India Wools were also 10 per cent, dearer. The quantity withdrawn was small; a few bales of German, for which 2s. 2d. per lb. was bid were purchased for the importer at 2s. 5d., and a lot of East India was also bought in at very full prices. Turkey, 91d.; Australian, good combing and short clothing, 1s. to ls. 1d.; East India, 6d. to 11d.; Spanish, inferior, 1s. 6d. to 1s. 11d.; Spanish, R., 2s. to 2s. 2d.; washed Mogadore, 10d. to 15d. Arrivals this week, 3,932 bags; previously this year, 1,770 bags.-Total, 5,702 bags. Exceedingly few sales of foreign Wool have taken place since our last report, whilst, owing to the superabundant supply on sale, lower prices have been submitted to in some instances, to effect sales. Electoral Saxony wool, from 4s. 6d. to 5s. 4d.; first Austrian, Bohemian, and other German wools, 3s. 6d. to 4s. 4d.; second do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. 2d. ; inferior do. in locks and pieces, 2s. to 2s. 6d.; German lamb's do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 3d.; Hungarian sheep's do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. 2d.; Leonesa sheep's do., 2s. 6d. to 3s. 2d.; Segovia do., 1s. 10d. to 3s. 2d. ; Soria do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 4d.; Caceres do., 2s. 4d. to 3s. 2d.; Spanish lamb's do., 1s. 8d. to 2s. 8d.; German and Spanish cross do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 4d.; Portugal sheep's do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 3d.; do. lamb's ditto, 1s. 6d. to 2s. 8J.; Australian, fine crossed do., 2s. 2d. to 3s. 7d.; do. native sheep's do., 1s. 6d. to 2s. 8d.; Van Diemen's Land, native sheep's do., Is. to 2s. 4d.; and Cape of Good Hope do., 1s. 4d. to 3s. per lb. |