The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-09-18
lru From the American Agriculturist
Present Prospects of Farmers.


news from Europe, are of the highest
interest to farmers. The sales of flour,
wheat and corn, mainly for export, have
been immense. During single day
(Aug, l5) the sales of flour aud wheat
in this city, alone, were equal TO hGJ
million bushels Of whedt! The prices
of wheat and -four have gone up fve 10
fifteen per cent. within two weeks In
our issues for months past, we have in
sisted that not only was there large de-
ficit in the last wheat crop Of Great
Britain, involving heavy demand upon
this country, but that the incoming crop
must be short. 1t could not be other
wise, with the poor seed used, and the
continuous rains all through the sowing
season last Autumn. At the date of our
last report, news of favorable weather
had just arrived from Europe, and specu-
lators had managed to inculcate the be-
lief that the harvest would be good, and
as consequence of this belief, our mar
kets sunk to low point, for with a sur
plus of grain here, the prices must neccs
sarily be governed in large measure, by
the immediate or prospective foreign de-
mand. .,a ta @
The positive advces received here since
the 10Th of August, settle the question
beyond doubt, that the crops just
gathered, or being gathered, hare been
short, both an Great Britain and France
and in some other countries of the Con-
tinent, aud that large exports from this
country will continue for another year.
unless there should be an entirely un-
looked for interruption Of friendly rela-
tions. ...
From careful survey Of the numer-
Gus reports from all parts of our own
wheat growing States, we conclude that,
taken as a whole, the crop now gathered
will be above an average one. This will
afford supply for home use, and mod
crate surplus for export-not enough TO
overstock the market, or keep the prices
very low. H r -H
The war caused depreciation in the
Southern State Stocks, so largely used
as bank securities at the West, and this,
of course, deprecated the bank bills.
The depreciation went so far rs TO nearly
destroy the bank issues in all the States
west Of Indiana, except Iowa, and the re-
suit was, that for several months there
was no money ahoat, either TO pay debts
or to buy grain. Latterly, large amounts
of gold have been forwarded from the
East, which is beginning TO find its way
into the Western country. The constant
demand for breadstuffs for Eastern con-
sumption, and for export, will tend to
greatly increase the circulation of gold
and specie-paying bank bills among the
masses at the West. The immense sums
now being expended athonae by our Gen
eral Government, are beginning to set
money ahoat. The Treasury Notes, of
which q million dollars a day are now
provided for, aud are being issued, will,
during the continuance of the war, add
greatly to the sound circulating currency
of the country, and money will soon be
plentiful, at least among those who pro-
duce the necessities of life-breadstufs
and meat. People must cat, and there are
about as many mouths to be fed in war
as in peace. Those who have crops TO
sell will therefore find n market for them;
and as for breadstuffs, the foreign de-
mand and the abundance of money, will
keep the prices up to paying figure, at
least. rF
The expenses Of the war are immense,
but they are largely charged to the fu-
ture, in the form of government loans, TO
be gradually liquidated over long series
of years; and, unlike all foreign wars,
the money expended is not going out of
the country. On the other had, We are
importing little foreign merchandise TO be
paid for, while we are constantly receiving
large amounts of hard coin from abroad
in return for the surplus products Of our
fertile soils. 1t would seem as if an over
ruling Providence had so ordered the sea-
sons and the course Of events, as to pre-
pare us for the great contest in which we
are now engaged for constitutional free
dom and the final establishment of our
government on firm, permanent basis.
There is some anxiety in regard to tho
system of direct taxation established, but
this is needless. The amount TO be
raised annually, averages less than two
dollars for each inhabilant of the Free
States. 1t will fall heaviest upon those
best able to meet it; and very few persons
would hesitate to voluntarily subscribe
this amount, to support and maintain n
free government, TO the influence of which
we are so largely indebted for the pros
perity we have enjoyed.
TO the cultivators Of tho soil the pres
ent state Of the country presents the
strongest incentives TO exertioD. Their
products will be in demand, however
much all other commodities may be de.
preciated. He who fails, through fear
or sluggishness, to put in every acre o.
wheat possible, and to increase tho pro
ducts of his acres to the hiUhest Doint