Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-09-19
THE RISE IN THE PRICE OF FLOUR.
From rHr BAlrImonr AMrnIcAs or sAruaD

we observe numerous paragraphs in the jour-
nails OF the Administration which connect the re-
cent rise in flour and grain with the Tariff Of 1916
and the reduction of British duties on breadstuffs.
1.-The Wing press" says one Of these journals,
win all their arguments going to show that the
farmer would not be benefited by the recent change
in the protective systems Of this country and England will
find how soon their imsy theories viii give way before prac
teal and stubborn truth. The hardy tier Of the SOIL and
the tens Of thousands who prosper he prospers will hail
the opening prospect with sincere and hearty joy"
IL Is very well known that rise in the price Of flour took
last year. founded upon the prevalence of the potato dis
ease IN Europe and the apprehension of short crop The
Tariff Of s42 was then in operation the Con-aws
not repealed II is also well known, well known by
who shipped fouro England the occasion of that RISE
that the sudden imitation of prices year ago. caused
by concerted panic abroad was, events unsusaned
We have heard practical losses Of American
shippers on that occasion pretty round
to three millions of dollars.
We hope that the present rise in prices may be
tanned yet we cannot orbcar the advice that would
prudent for American dealers wait orders rather than ship
largely on their account
will require longer time than has elapsed since the pas
sage OF the Administration Tariff and the reduction of the
British CorLaws to ascertain fairly the effects of either mea-
sure upon the prices Of breadstu Flour fell to a very
low point soon after the passage Of the Tariff;
down to 1878 per barrel in this market only fortnight
We did not hear this fall ascbed passage Of the
here Is s less reason to ascbe the present rise to that
because the act itself has vet gone operation
very abundant crop at home making the prices of flour
low, may enable hereafter the has done be-
fore to ship flour to England very short crop in Eng
land may enable ALSO and them do the thing
But these occasional events AS general thing when
deficiencies in the British grain market the supplies will
come from the continent of Europe. ~a
FROM THE NEW
FLOUR AND GRAIN SPEcULATIoNs have commenc-
ed In the various markets of the Union under appa-
rently favorable auspices and if the rising prices
shall result advantageousy to farmers, none will
rejoice more heartily than ourselves. As to the ex-
tent OF the supply, it is well known that the crops
here are over an average, while they will probably
be little if any less than average the British Islands
failure Of the potato crop Europe the modification of the
corn laws Of England the with Mexico and the increase
immigration into this country, looked of
greater demand The suspension of of founies
and factores any do suspend in consequence Of the
arl-wl not materially influence the grain markets this
year, as the unemployed factory operatives become
producing farmers until next year and in the they
will remain of agricultural commodities The pri
ciPal of the present in price may attributed to
rumors from England of failure the potato CROP which
should be received in this country with great caution espe
cay after the disastrous consequences of last years specua
tons founded upon similar In dealing with the Eng
ish markets. should remember the concentration of nan
cal and commercial power that exists in that country
ous drain of bullion from the Bank of England was prevent
ed last year by the famine panic Prices of grain were
pushed up in the American markets. and foolish spectators
here induced to hold their flour and grain in store until
last in the crash that ensued the English dealers
this country in July and swept the markets Of flour about
half the price they would have had pay the winter The
deficiency in the British crops thus provided at unpre
cedened rates. greatly to the injury the people of this coun
try. "Lke produce like effects" II appears 10 us
that effort is making in England repeat last years
experiment. and although know good reason why prices
OF our flour and grain ought not to be higher than they
present. yet in the absence of definite information from The
European crops, trust the hints have thrown out will
promote inquiry and lead better understanding Of the
course Of trade in american breadstufs. Unfortunately,
however, this branch of practical political economy will not
pay individual enterprise for the time that ught devoted
to it, in collecting positive information the extent of the
current supply and demand, both home and abroad and
hence the necessity Of having department connected with
Federal Government to which Consus and Ministers
distant countries, and officers ut home
could make prompt and reliable returns of the prospects and
the extent of the various crops in which we people,
most interested.
FROM THE ROCHESTER, (S. u DEMOCRAT.
The farmers often the sufferers from fictitious excite
mcns the ners and they have deep an interest in
preventing exaggeraons The experience of the past year
is illustration Very many farmers whose means enabled
them to do held their wheat through the whole Of
the rise Of last FALL under the impression that they would
able at later period to obtain higher price. The result
heavy loss They placed confidence in the wild
predictions of interested enthusiasts than in the warn
ngs of disinteres.ed journalists.
There indications Of similar result now The same
English journals which last year preached up famine are
busiy engaged in the They seize upon
the first unsvoabe indication of the cry up short
crops "potato rot" &c. Now, il is we'll known to AZ
who have watched the progress Of the crops England
developed by the agricultural journals of that country that
there has seldom been favorable for crops Up
to the 10Th 18th Of August the weather
few thunder showers and these made the basis
for another "panic."
There is other assigned for the published an
patons Of short crop And farmers judge better than
whether there is enough in this second
edition Of the unnatural and unhealthy furry of last autumn
What may come is different affair II is possible that
the crop win be short one, but have idea that our
agricultural readers would thank for hcradng as having
already occurred what il is only possible may
With regard to the potato rot, have yet seen nothing
which would justify the opinion that that terrible disease s
any threatening than il last year. Famine