HARVEST CONTRADICTIONS.
It may be definitely said that the harvest, of which a good deal is already in stack in spite of thunder-storms, is a heavy harvest all round. Some few crops at the very last moment were laid flat by rain and wind and have been difficult to cut ; this is especially apparent in the Fens ; but once again all is well, or tolerably well, except price. Farmers have been offered prices round about 10s. less than the sum that they regard as enough to pay for expenses. The truth on this head is that we desire contradictions. It is calculated that just about half our wheat crop is used by poultrymen whose very successful branch of farming needs cheap home- grown corn. They have got it. Contrariwise the grain-farmer loses money and will therefore continue to grow less and less. Even to-day the prosperity of the corn-grower is regarded as the sign and symbol of rural well-being, not altogether without reason. What is the way out ? The grower comes first ; but in any consideration of the question the benefit of cheap corn to considerable industries must not be left out of consideration.
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