PART I ON THE PRICES OF CORN FROM 1848 TO 1854 SECTION 1 Introduction ……………………………………………… 3 SECTION 2 Character of the season 1847-1848. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 6 SECTION 3 Character of the season 1848-1849. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 12 SECTION 4 Character of the season 1849-1850. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 15 SECTION 5 Character of the season 1850-1851. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 21 SECTION 6 Character of the season 1851-1852. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 27 SECTION 7 Character of the season 1852-1853. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 34 SECTION 8 Character of the season 1853-1854. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………… 44 SECTION 9 The large importations of foreign corn from 1845-1846 to 1853-1854. And the opposite theories of diminished home production and increased home consumption …………… 55 SECTION 10 The same subject continued. Probable effect of the Corn Law if it had been in force in 1848-1849. Large production and low prices in France and central Europe ……………… 62 SECTION 11 On the effect of variations in the supply of wheat on its price, and on the consumption of it as the food of man. Principles stated in 1821 ……………………………… 72 SECTION 12 The same subject continued. Facts in illustration afforded by the periods 1828-1837,and 1838-1841 …… 79 SECTION 13 A consideration of the more important causes which lead to fluctuations in the price of corn; with particular reference to the doctrines put forward by the promoters of agricultural statistics ………………………………… 89 SECTION 14 The same subject continued. Illustrations derived from the experience of the years 1846 to 1855 ………… 98 SECTION 15 On the relative productiveness of the harvests in England during the forty years 1815-1854. Mr. Jacobs researches in 1826-1828 ……………………………… 106 SECTION 16 The same subject continued. Result of the researches of M. Paucton with reference to the consumption of corn in France about the year 1780 ……………… 122 SECTION 17 The same subject continued. Results of the surveys of cropper, benson, and company, 1813-1836; and of Mr. Sandars, 1837-1855 …………………………… 129 SECTION 18 On the general principles which may best regulate the function of government in providing offi information relative to agricultural produce. The alleged deficiency of agricultural, as compared with commer, statistics ……………… 148 SECTION 19 The same subject continued. Erroneous notion of the facts relative to the harvest of 1846. And erroneous inferences drawn by high authorities from those facts …………… 156 SECTION 20 The same subject continued. Erroneous views as to the real functions of the intermediate dealers between the growers and consumers of corn in this country ………………… 163 SECTION 21 The same subject continued. The alleged example of foreign countries—M. Coquelins account of the true purpose of the cadastre in France ……………………… 168 SECTION 22 On the nature of the practical methods by which in this country a fair or just equilibrium of the price of raw produce, such as corn, is maintained. Difficulties not to be overcome by the most elaborate statistics …………… 182 SECTION 23 The same subject continued. Motives operating upon a large class of farmers to observe a definite annual rule as to the sale of their corn ……………………………………… 185 SECTION 24 The same subject continued. Motives operating upon another class of farmers as regards the accumulation of stocks ……………………………………………… 188 SECTION 25 On the relation between the cost of the production of corn, and its current price during short intervals …………… 191 SECTION 26 The import cost of foreign grain during the thirty-five years 1821-1855. Magnitude of that import. Cost since 1846. Recent improvements directed to larger domestic production of grain …………………………………… 196 SECTION 27 The effective legislative provision existing since 1846 for the application of capital to land improvement, espely drainage. Progress actually made. Extent of the field to be yet occupied ……………………………………… 203 SECTION 28 The effect of improved tenures of land in Ireland and in England; and the increased application of machinery to purposes of cultivation during the last seven years …… 209 SECTION 29 Probable future range in this country of the prices of corn. Opinions expressed in year 1847. New influences to be considered ………………………………………… 213 SECTION 30 Character of the season and harvest of 1855. Prices and estimated produce of wheat …………………………… 219 SECTION 31 Character of the season 1855-1856. Prices and estimated produce of wheat ……………………………………… 227 SECTION 32 Summary of conclusions with reference to the prices of corn 1847-1856; and to the corn trade ……………… 242 PART II ON THE PRICES OF PRODUCE OTHER THAN CORN, AND THE GENERAL COURSE OF TRADE IN THE MANUFACTURING AND OTHER MARKETS DURING THE NINE YEARS 1848 TO 1856 SECTION 1 Introduction …………………………………………… 249 SECTION 2 Influence of political events—railway expenditure— state of trade—in the year 1848 ……………………… 251 SECTION 3 State of credit—depreciation of railway property— condition of trade—course of prices—in year 1849 …… 264 SECTION 4 Prices of raw materials—rise in price of silver— prices of produce—in year 1850 ……………………… 275 SECTION 5 State of trade—fall of the prices of produce—effects of Hyde Park Exhibition—in year 1851 ………………… 287 SECTION 6 Effect of Australian trade—increasing activity—of year 1852 ……………………………………………… 299 SECTION 7 State of trade—rise in the rate of discount—anticipations of the future—in the early part of 1853 ……………… 304 SECTION 8 Movement for higher wages in 1853. Difficulties of the autumn. The great strike at Preston ……………………………… 317 SECTION 9 Events of the autumn of 1853 —prices in 1852 and 1853. General review of the trade of 1853 …………………… 332 SECTION 10 Effects of the war in 1854. Fall of the rate of interest. Influence of the influx of gold ………………………… 344 SECTION 11 State of trade in 1855. Review of the influence of the war, 1854-1855 …………………………………… 362 SECTION 12 Return of peace early in 1856. Comparative prices, 1854, 1855, and 1856 ……………………………………… 382 SECTION 13 Summary of conclusions with reference to the prices of commodities and state of trade, 1848-1856 …………… 385\