THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: News Letter correspondent reflects on the condition of farming in Ulster

The News Letter on this day in 1840 published a despatch which it had been sent by an agricultural correspondent which reflected on the state of farming for the month of January.

The correspondence read: “This month has been unfavourable for agricultural operations. The winter has been remarkably open, but in consequence of the quantity of rain which has fallen, ploughing has been rendered impracticable, except on very dry grounds. If the ensuing month turn out [sic] equally untoward, the sowing of spring wheat will be limited, for it will only be in very favoured situations that the ground will be in a fit state for the reception of the seed.”

As for the markets the correspondent reported: “The grain markets remain pretty stationary. Potatoes are a little fluctuating in price: markets have been abundantly supplied during the month, other labours of the farm being often impracticable.”

The continued: “Farmers would do well to examine their potato pits, to ascertain whether they are in a safe state. We are well acquainted with one farmer in the vicinity of Antrim who has lost upwards of 1,000 bushels in the pits this season by dry rot; and few farmers render more attention to farming, in all its departments, than the same individual.”

Turnip cattle were “making great progress” and “bringing remunerating prices”.

The correspondent commented: “The winter has been very favourable for turnips, and particularly those which were late sown.”

But there was scarce supply of cattle and sheep for the butcher with the price being high.

The correspondent wrote: “The demand for store cattle is slack, and the prices moderate, influenced no doubt by the scarcity and high price of fodder.”