1805] Aaricultural Report, for Northamberland. 227

How is this accounted for? Do we hoe more eFectnallv ia Northuwberland, or does the difierence arise ſcom the price ol labour being lower in the former county. 1 conceive that their hoers cannof be more expert than ours. Their opera- tions, in this dietrict, may, however, be Somewhat impeded by the gravelly and Strong nature of most of our turnip S0i1s.

The price of Jabour in this county, during the ijate harvest, has been enormously high--frequently from five pence to zeven pence per hour, for women, exclusive of part of their victuals. Indeed, Such is the great demand, at all times, that It is rigen uUpwards of a huidred per cent within the last ten or twelve years. Now, if what is stated by our political eco- Dowists be'true, 7. 0. that the increasing price of labour 75 au unerring eriterion of increaSing prosperity, you will conclude that the county ot Northumberland i38 advancing by-rapid Strides, to the Summit of improvement.

REPORT FOR NORTHUMBERLAND.

Our crops,(part ol the beans excepted) are now Secured in this distriet. The weather, upon. the whole, has been very favourable; the grain, therefore, is in excellent condition. Most of our oat-crops ate very deßcient, but those of other Species of grain appear to be very abundant. Very little new corn js threshbed, and therefore, 1 cannot inform you how it will yield. But as great part of the wheat was much lodged,

we are apprelicnsSive he produce will not be proportionate 19 we bulk.

The weatber in September, having been very warm, tue Tipening process was unuSta 1y rapid; and Sone fears are en- tertained that the quality will! nol be 80 good as if the grain

bad come more gradually to maturity-

Till within we last four days, the fallows, except on very wet Soils, were too diy tor SOWING. The late favourable rains, however, bave brought them into a proper State.

Our turnips have been very materially injured by the long coptinuance of dry weaiher. Our pastures and togs(atter- maths) have likewise Suffered greatly; yet the prices of our largest Sheep are from four to Seven Shillings a bead bigber ban those of last autumu.,"The markets for black cattle have Jately been very dall.

Fat cattle and Sheep are now Selling at, from Six Shillings and SiIx-pence to Seven Shiilings per StONC of ftourteen pounds, inkimg the offals.- New wheat are Seven Shillings and türee pence to eight Shillings and Six-pence; Barley four Shilliogs and eight-pence 10 five Shillings; potatoec, Poland, and Dutch vat, three Shillings and ten-peace 10 foyr Shüllinas 3