pectation of many of the buyers, that much more abundant supplies will be shortly received from Scotland and Ireland, till the arrival of which, the buyers delay making purchases to any amount.

We quote the following prices, viz.—

Wheat.-White new 44s., 56s., 60s.; old 57s. to 65s.; red new, 43s., 54s., 56s.; old, 55s. to 60s.; Scotch 45s., 49s., 54s.

Barley-Malting, 28s. to 31s.; fine, 33s. to 35s.; grinding, 23s. to 27. Oats.-English feed, 17s. to 22s.; Poland and potato, 25s. to 26s. ; Irish-feed, 19s. to 20s.; potato 20s. to 24s.; Scotch, 24s. to 28s. Beans.-New, 29s. to 33s. ; old, 36s. to 44s.

Peas-Boiling, 34s. to 39.; hog, 30s. to 34s.

Malt.-Fine, 50s. to 60s.

Rye.—Fine, 36s.; tares new, 32s.; rape seed, 40s. to 44s. ; linseed, from 36s. to 46s. per quarter.

Flour.-Town-made, 50s. to 52s.; north country, 40s. to 42s. per sack of 280lb.

This, (Mark-Lane) as well as the principal country markets, rules very steady as to prices; nor is there any prospect of much variation in the value of corn for many months to come.

Imperial Averages on December 1st.-Wheat, 52s. 6d.; barley, 29s 5d.; oats, 21s.: rye, 30s. 4d.; beans, 36s. 9d.; peas, 34s. 6d.

London Averages.-Wheat, 54s. 6d. ; barley, 31s. 2d.; oats, 21s.1d.; rye, 29s. 10d.; beans, 34s. 7d.; peas, 36s. 11d.: all lower by nearly 10s. per quarter, than the averages of last year.

Seeds. English clover is not highly spoken of; some middling samples are quoted at from 55s. to 65s.; white, 54s. to 60s. per cwt. The trade is languid, nor will there be much stir till the spring.

London Prices of Bread.-Best wheaten, from 8d. to 9d.; household, from 6d. to 7 d. per 4lb. loaf.

Prices of Hay.-Meadow, from 80s. to 95s.; clover, from 95s. to 110s. per load; wheat straw, from 34s. to 36s.; oat ditto, 32s. to 36s. per load.

Quantities of malt used by the London brewers for one year ending October 10, 1837.-714,488 quarters, being 39,825 quarters less than was used in 1836. This decrease on the quantity is attributed to there being more gin used than formerly. The largest quantity used is by the firm of Barclay and Co.; the least by Denman.

Smithfield Market. This happening yesterday, is always the fullest and most interesting in the whole year, not only for the number of fat cattle exhibited, but for every thing in the finest condition that can be collected within a circuit of many miles around, independent entirely of the prize cattle.

The market prices for beef ranged from 2s. 4d. to 4s. 6d; mutton from 3s. to 4s. 6d; veal from 4s. to 5s. ; pork from 3s. 4d. to 5s. per stone of 8lb. The numbers were nearly equal to what are usually got together for the business of the day; and it was observable, that the whole were more equal as to condition, than ever had been seen before.

Although there were none prodigiously fat, neither were there any unfit for the butcher. The large demand for good beef, at this season, is sure to raise the price; but the number being also large, the advance was hardly perceptible; not more, perhaps, than 2d. per stone, compared with the previous rates.

The chronicles of this market show that there is a steady annual increase in the numbers of oxen, sheep, and pigs, brought forward on this day; and, indeed, the same result is evident in every provision market in the kingdom. This is not only a proof of an increased population, but it is also a proof that grazing and the fatting of live stock is much more an object of profit among farmers than it has been for many past. And while corn keeps at so low a price, feeding in all its branches must of course be extended.

The Club Dinner took place yesterday at the Free Masons' Tavern, and was attended by above three hundred gentlemen interested in agricultural affairs. Earl Spencer was in the chair, attended by the Duke of Richmond, and other noblemen; and much discussion took place respecting the objects of the club and the effects produced in the pursuit of these objects. The prizes were distributed, new members admitted, and future proceedings arranged.

The wool trade has been steady for some time past; but there are some signs of an increased briskness in the northern markets, and a prospect of more business being done after Christmas. The best description of Down wool fetches from 1s. 4d. to ls. 6d. per lb. ; inferior sorts from 8d. to 1s.

Upon taking a general glance at the present condition of agriculturists at this time, we may venture to assert that in many respects they are upon the improve. They can now see pretty clearly what steps to take, and what to avoid; and under the present settled state of national affairs, may trust to the results of well-laid schemes, without fear of disappointment, or dread of sudden changes.

As drilling the seed engrosses much attention of the farmer, we bring the subject immediately under our readers' notice; and to show their growing repute, we give a brief history of drills. The source of inven

tion cannot be ascertained: it is most probable it originated with the farmers themselves-thus, from simplicity has sprung perfection. Drilling was first adopted in Suffolk, which county is now noted for the manufactory of drills. At the commencement of the present century, drills were only remarkable for their difficulty to use, none but the most active and intrepid could do it, as they were continually exposed to contingencies; and, after great fatigue, the work was not only slovenly but very slowly done.

About the year 1800, Mr. Smyth commenced business at Peasenhall, as a wheelwright. To make a drill was one of his first commands. We may fathom his difficulty, when he was reluctantly obliged to make a thing which was but little known, and of which he knew nothing. "The smallest stream has its beginning—a mighty torrent has no more." He made a drill similar to one in the neighbourhood; of its merits we are silent; but it seems to have been a lucky hit" for him. A wide field was immediately opened for his talents; he turned his whole attention to the subject; and, by his assiduous exertions, realized that success of which genius is too often deprived. His plans were immediately appreciated in his own county, and a thriving trade was the consequence. He introduced them into the adjoining counties with the same success. In 1819, Mr. Smyth attended a meeting of the Agricultural Society of Hampshire, where drills were almost unknown, and where their practicability was instantly disputed; but he had too much experience to be daunted by theory; he gave the society a convincing proof of its practicability, by drilling a piece of corn before them; the crop was observed with interest, and proved highly satisfactory. The society, as a mark of their approbation, rewarded him with a piece of plate. Since that period, Mr. Smyth has a flourishing trade, with but little prospect of being rivalled.

Drills are now being introduced into the most distant parts from Suffolk, and are taken by those who make a trade of drilling, at from two to three shillings per acre-nearly one thousand of which class branch off into different counties during the season, and return to Suffolk when it is over.

season.

Seeding the land requires to be performed in the most regular manner, as regards depth and distance, and must be done at the most suitable To accomplish this, some system must be resorted to. That a satisfactory crop can be sown broadcast, we admit; but much of the seed lies on the surface, and is devoured by birds; this contingency, however, is provided for, by sowing a surplus. The drill dispenses with this, as eight pecks deposited by it are equal to twelve sown by the hand. It is not merely the saving of seed to be observed, but it is a proof that the drill, by depositing a small quantity, and realizing a good crop, plants the seed properly; and thus the probability of the crop is more certain. The seed is placed under the surface at one depth, and regularly distributed. A drill will do from eight to twelve acres per day; thus, advantage may be taken of the varying wea

ther for planting. Seed-time in agriculture once lost cannot be retrieved.

When the corn is put into the box, [see plate] it is taken up by the cups and dropped into the hopper, it then runs down the pipes to where the coulter opens the land, when the soil closes after the coulter, and the seed is thus deposited below the surface.

NORFOLK QUARTERLY REPORT.

We have had a tolerably fine open quarter; not over mild, certainly; but still unattended with any of that excessive and premature severity, by which the last winter was distinguished.

Wheat sowing was generally finished under favourable circumstances; and the vegetation of the young plant has been regular, and is now looking very flourishing. We have had no very heavy downfall in any shape, to impede the usual routine of farm culture. Turnips are almost universally a good crop, though early sown white have suffered from mildew. That valuable stock, the Swedish, has increased and is increasing in this county; and the growers are pretty generally engaged in the work of drawing and storing the earlier sown ones. The same with regard to beet, which is also gaining ground with us, and most deservedly so; for what can equal it as a spring food? Young layers promise well. The season was peculiarly favourable to the germination of the seed; and accordingly, to all appearance, there will be no lack of either hay or feed in the ensuing spring and summer.

Our corn markets have been tolerably steady, and fully as well supplied as was anticipated. The quality, perhaps, of no kind of grain, inay be said to equal that of last year; and yet it is better than we expected, particularly Barley, which works well; though for the most part inferior in weight to those we have been accustomed to of late years. Wheats 24s. to 28s. Barleys 14s. to 16s. per coomb of four imperial bushels, and other grain in proportion.

There is no want of employment throughout our district; and thanks to the new poor-law, no discontent, either amongst the labouring classes or their employers. The more this measure is examined, and the wider it is extended, the better will it be approved of by the country. The opposition to it is, even now, the exception-the approval, the rule. It is a marvellous measure; and marvellous is the change it has already accomplished. The money saving is but a minor advantage, compared with the reformation it has wrought in the habits and morals of the quondam recipients of parochial bounty.

Dec. 18, 1837.

EARLY MOWING GRASS.

Mr. Kay, of the Shiphaugh Farm, near Stirling, commenced cutting grass on April 25, which turned out a tolerably good swathe. The field consists of nearly two acres of clayey loam, which was sown down on July 11, 1836, with the following mixture: Italian rye-grass, perennial rye-grass, Timothy grass, meadow foxtail, white and red clover, and cow-grass. The Italian rye-grass, in the meantime, is far a-head of the others, and confirms the opinion we had previously formed of this newly introduced grass, that there is no agricultural plant better adapted to come in after the turnip season, as early green food for cattle. When cultivated for this purpose, it should be sown in autumn, along with trifolium incarnatum (crimson trefoil), which keeps pace with the Italian rye-grass in early and vigorous vegetation.-Stirling Ob