The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-11-04
Statistics.-FEOmr.

rister, ''that thepeople of the United States
require for their sustenance lS,0OO,OOO
barrels of -four Annually. On the ratio used
bv the United States Army, il would be
"a 100000, but this is too large for the
whole population, and probably ls,O00,-
900 is near approximation to the actual
As there was planted III the
United States about eight millions of acres
of land in wheat, intelligent men estimate
the crop for 1887, at 25 bushels to the acre,
which at 80 cents the bushel will be worth
800 ,O00, 900. Estimating bushels wheat
to barrel of flour, this will give 10000
900 of barrels, or a surplus for export or 10
remain in barns of $4,000, 900 barrels. At
the least calculation there is no doubt wheat
enough raised the present season to sup
ply the country two years, and lift is not
monopoized by spectators, or the grain
kept back by the growers, the price OF flour
ought the ensuing winter not to exceed 50
per barrel, the price 1923. In the spring
Of that year, good superline flour was sold
in Philadelphia for SO. .25 per barrel"
None are more liable to make great mis-
takes than those who treat upon statistics
and political economy:-Nor have we, in
our humble judgment, noticed any calcua-
ton of the present day which has wander
ed further from the truth than the above at
tempt at estimating the wheat crop and
the consumption Of wheaton flour in the
United States.
We believe the United States ration of
flour is one pound, and this we know from
experience, is so large an allowance, that
it is not unusual for the soldier to barter a
portion of his bread with the Sutler for tea.
chocolate, &c. and when it is considered
that the soldier subssts entirely upon
wheaton bread and beef-that he uses no
turnips, potatoes, rye, buckwheat or corn
meal, the consumption of the camp can
form no Gata to compute the Quantity of
wheaton flour consumed by lhe whole pop
ulation of the United States; as potatoes, rye
flour, rice, corn and buckwheat meal, and
many other vegetables used in families as
articles OF food, greatly reduce the CON
sumption of wheaton bread. Taking the
whole population of the United States at
fourteen millions, if we allow one-fourth of
pound per day for each human being, il
would amount TO nearly barrel per wear,
or l4,OOO,UOO barrels flour Tor 5000 ,OO0
bushels wheat,) which we consider, not
only sufficient, butan abundant supply
we are not prepared to say there was, OF
there was not eight millions of acres ofland
IN wheat the last season; but if there were,
the estimated production is vastly too high
at 20 bushels to the acre. Our own county
OF Lancaster, which is admitted TO be one OF
the best wheat growing countries in the
Union, does not average 20 bushels, in the
most favorable years;-and we think we gC
TO the extent, if we admit the average croI
OF 1887, was | 5 bushels to the acre, beinl
l2O,030, 600 bushels, or "a ,O0O, 900 barrel,
flour; leaving only surplus over consump
llon. Tor future supply or expectation, O
ZEN Millions OF barrels, instead oftwenty
two millions; falling very far short ofa sup
ply for the year 1898.
As the scarcity and high price of wheat
has induced econoIomss, and taught tn
poor, through necessity, to substitute large
, ly, corn and buckwheat meal, e. rye flour
for wheaton, the estimate of CONSUMPTION
which have ventured, may still be to
high: etl thlnk 1t not only economical bu
a dictate OF sound policy to continue tn
wholesome food, which no family, howey
er rich, should be too proud to introduce :
f their tables, in all the forms of cakes. pu(
dings, mush or bread.
? The valuation of so cents per bushel fo
r wheat, the ensuing season, is lallacious.
, The price of all grains may, and prob;
bly, may fall; but we know agreement
have been entered into in this county b
miilers, who know their business, for tn
produce of whole farms, deliverable betwee
) the present time and the firsto MarcE
1887, at tSI.70 per bushel for wheat of G
pounds, 20 cents for corn and 80 cents fc
, oats.
/ Wheat may fall in the ensuing sprin
considerably, admitting there should be
surplus and no extraordinary foreign d,
! mand, which the great crops througho,
Europe, particularly in England, Franc
5 and Germany indi.a But this will d,
pend entirely on the appearance of III
. grain in March and April. Should II
season open favorably, and our fields pre-
5 enl an encouraging appearance of bount
tul harvest the stock on hand will fall
5 value; but even in that case we do not thin
! 1t will sink below one dollar per bushel.
S Lancaster Journal.
4 -
A CORRESPONDENT of the Pbilodolnb;o 7