Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1855-09-13
General Agricultural Information The
Grain Market and Crop Prospects,

lHuTSuay' Cept. o. 1000.
The fall of fully ST per barrel in the price
of -four during the past week, is matter of no
little moment to the producers of grain, and is
quite significant, since it has been brought about
not alone by large influx of -four from the
country, as would at first be supposed, but is
to be attributed to other causes. The first of
them, andthe most effective, is the recentreports
of abundant crops in Europe, which measurably
check the expectation of -four. So long as the
foreign demand continued at given price, it
prevented fall here, because any surplus that
could be obtained below certain figure, was
Immediately bought up for export. 1t is now
doubtful whether Europe will call for large
quantities of -four, unless it can be procured
here at very low figure This being the case,
prices in the seaboard cities will be regulated by
the demand and supply. The latter is now
about equal to the former, and will probably
soon exceed it. The effect of an excess is read
lily anticipated. The other circumstance alluded
to is the clearing out of old stocks in the hands
of dealers, so that they are nolonger interested
in maintaining high prices, to prevent ruinous
loss to themselves. 1t is now their interest to
operate for fall, and brief period will show
how powerful are the means at their command.
We hope farmers will be sufficiently guarded
not to be panic stricken by any sudden great
Fe"ion that may possibly be witnessed dur
vw weeks to come. Should they become
inel and contract the greater part of their
Cor immediate Or future delivery, reaction
St-d by considerable rise may be looked
pIrhis was just what happened last year,
n most of the wheat went from the control
PlJroducers under the influence of small ad-
2ace in price, subsequent to heavy decline.
ere there no other influences than the natural
feet of demand and supply, there would be a
fady, constant sale of wheat, and moderately
ir prices would prevail throughout the year.
m the grain, especially wheat, which should
1t be called for at these prices, would be held
og to another year. But the dealers and
sueulators in breadstuffs have an immense pow
er, nd, if not by direct combination, yet by
tao consent and unity of interests, they weld
thapower with tremendous effect-so much So,
that usually there is wide difference between
the rice obatined by the producerand that paid
by de consumer.
Tie only feasible method of overcoming this
infunce is, for the producers of grain to retain
the over in their own hands. This they can
do b refusing to sell atvery lowprices, Or even
to cqtract their grain, except at high prices.
1t issafer not to contract ahead at ALL unless
at high rates. If all the producers in the coun-
try 0ud combine, or each by himself adhere
to this course, it would efectually prevent the
spectators from obtaining the power to regulate
The p,ice of breadstuffs. -,
To decide exactly how low aprice they will
sell, is difficult question for producers. In
his they must be guided chiefly by their pres,
ent need of money by the probable wants OF
the country, and by the comparative aggregate
amount of the crop. That the demand for -four
will be less than usual, is indicated by thepre
ent prospect of fu Il crops abroad, by the gleat
growth of corn, pc, 'atoes and buckwheat-whict
will in measure ia Ike the place of four-anc
by the unusual prod vet of wheat itself;
The continued ia, 'orable reports from thu
regions are to certain degree
and unprec, ,dented. Some journals
are estimating the aggrt gate yield at 2oo'ooV'