Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-15
BreadstuHs.

Breadstuffs.
The Baltimore Price Current paper
having a reputation for its accurate CONNER
ci,l and statistical character, has comPiieu
the following facts, which we believe Will be
read with interest as both producer ana con-
SINNER. which include all classes, are concern
ed in the facts:
There are many who still believe that
"there is plenty of produce i'll the interior,
and vet the only ar gument they now ven
ture 10 advance il, that the reason supplies
have been so limited at the principal markets
throughout the last three months or more, is
that 80 much rain has fallen as to render the
remote avenues traversed by merchant wa
CONS almost wholly impracticable, the frost
having entirely exhaled from the ground,
thus contributing to a condition OF things
quite uncommon, and even worse than at the
period of the general thaw, in the SPRING
Well, there may he something IN this, and
we are willing to give IL. III the absence OF
better theory all the consideration to which 1t
is entitled But how is it i'll the wet terms
with which we are 80 frequently visited in
the Summer season? Did any one ever hear
before that the excessive rains had rendered
the roads so heavy rs to prevent three-fonrths
of the produce in the interior from reaching
market" Do farmers and millers never
strain point to get their wares to market
after the reports have been for months ring
ing the changes that Receipts of grain con-
tinue very limited, and prices have further
advenced." 1.-The supplies of flour are very
small, and holders demand still higher rates
or are they apt to shut their eyes entirely to
such statements when there are large stocks
in the INTERIOR" The general experience In
trade il. that wherea an article becomes scarce
and high, most persons who have any to sell
will send it to market rather than trust the
evcr-so-fattering voice Of the future. How
ever, let US look at facts that have become
patent to almost every business man.
For more than two monthspast, Baltimore
has been sending Grain and Flour to many
ports from whence in former seasons she had
been drawing her supplies. New York has
been shipping Grain to New Orleans. Prices
Of cereals and Flour have been ruling ahso-
lutelv higher in Cincinnati and other West
ern markets than in the Eastern markets.
The receipts of Howard ST. and Ohio Flour in
Baltimore in January and February, for the
past three years, have been as follows:
Years. Howard st. Ohio. Total.
ls57..............3l.O9 j 10000 50.O95
1858 54.64s 1881 92,5as
1859 ......................42,6OO 1882 55.4sl
Not long since, Canadian Flour, which had
been shipped TO Liverpool. was brought back
to Montreal and sold in the latter market at
considerable profit compared with the pri-
res ruling at Liverpool, or at the date OF its
original shipment And since September
LIST. 1853. to the IL. instant, how much less
Flour has been shipped to Great Britain from
the United States than during the same peri
Cd in 1857 $50 Only sig hundred thousand
bushels less! How much less to the Cont
nent: One hundred and twenty-five thou
sand barrels less, Of Wheat to Great Bri-
,iau, same period, about three millions OF
bushels less and of Corn. over one million OF
bushels less:
But saws the advocate of large supplies,
this is So much more in our favor-there Is
So much the more left at home. True, If the
Grain was ever harvested, it is undoubtedly
here, and if any approach even to average
crops of Wheat and Corn were raised IN
1858 we shall see very low prices between
now and next harvest at will be good
thing for the poor and therefore IRE shall
be glad to realize it.
but let as not forget that if this theory be
correct a strange state of things must be re-
conciled with ia state of things which the
ordeal of the last two years can scarcely
have brought about. Have farmers and mil
lers a superabundance Of money? If So,
they have done well in holding ON for better
prices. But if so, where did they get it,
Not from their large crops of 1857, for they
did not raise them. Not from the general
prosperity Of the years 1857 and 1853, for
many Of them are but too well advised TO the
contrary.
But are holders of breadstuffs looking for
any extraordinary demand? Certainly not
from England. and if not from that quarter
then hardly from any other, unless general
Continental war, which now seems threaten
ed should ensue within the next few months.
But, they do not generally anticipate such an
event. They know that there is only an aver
age Of one war in Europe out of q hundred
direful threats Of ambitious sovereigns, and
diplomats, because war and military smbi-
tion must be supported at heavy cost. and tho
Eothschilds are not always willing to provide
the needful; and although tbep Of Europe
appears at present to depend upon the will
o. single individual. yet We know that with