Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-08-24
The wheat Crop of 1860.

Of our cordial and sincere support.
ThC Wheat Crop Of 1860.
AS there is much anxiety to know what
the prospects are for getting good, sound
flour at fair prices this season, it may be
well to compare the various reports of the
wheat crop of 1866, and bring out such facts
as will enable the public to arrive at correct
conclusions. 1t is common for people to
charge the high prices of flour to "specula-
tion," which in some cases may effect prices,
as with all kinds of merchandise. But as a
general rule farmers are well posted, and if
there is any possible reason for them to OK
pect higher prices, they hold back their
wheat and often hold it to their own disad-
vantage. Were farmers always willing to
sell at the market value, wheat would nearly
all come into market at once. AS it is, the
crop comes forward as the farmers come to
believe the highest point is reached. Sales
are not governed by the cost of raising it,
but by the state of the market. 1t must be
understood that the producer is always anx-
ious to get the highest market value for cv-
cry variety of his produce, as much so as
any trader is to get living in handling his
goods.
The accounts Of the wheat crop this sea-
son are somewhat conflicting, but it is safe
to conclude that we have not over half a
crop of good sound lchedt this season. Yves
tern New York has Il very good crop of
amber winter wheat, which will but partial
y supply the demand in that section. The
crop of wheat in Ohio, Indiana and Michi-
gan is not quite half the usual average. The
above statement will also apply to Canada.
Southern Illinois has good crop of very
fine wheat. Central and Northern Illinois
produces mostly spring wheat, which was
somewhat damaged by rains in harvest time.
In the Northwest the wheat crop promised
well until almost the time of harvest when
a severe storm destroyed about half of it.
In the Record of August 10th, under the
head of General News it is stated that
large quantities of flour are held in the mar
ket West, and were ii not for the eXorbitant
railroad charges flour would be very cheap.
The statement is incorrect. In the first
place there are no large stocks of sound
flour held in the Western markets: on the
contrary, flour is very scarce Just now, as
farmers will not bring out their wheat at
present prices.
Then again, the writer who talks about
high freights cannot be well posted. Flour
has this season been shipped from Chicago
to Boston for less than one dollar per bar
rel. AT this time the freight is about 81 %
per barrel between the two places, and 81, &c
from ST. Louis to Boston. 1t costs Il little
more TO this point. 1t is also stated that the
crop is abundant and all harvested in good
order. This is not true Again the report
states that wheat declined in Chicago p cts
per bushel, but there was no corresponding
decline in flour. Wheat did drop down fol
a few days, but it did not stay down long
enough for millers to stock up.
Now let us compare prices of wheat and
flour West and here. Spring wheat in Chi
cago is selling at 1888, and winter wheat al
$2,25per bushel. Spring wheat flour is sell
ing there at so 1-2 to S11 per barrel, the
same is sold here for S12. The best flour il
st. Louis sells at S15 per barrel, and is solo
in Brattleboro at SIT. White wheat sells Al
from 1926 to $3.50 per bushel
In looking at all the facts, we conclude
that flour will not be very cheap until far
mers can be induced to sell their wheat fol-
much less prices than at present. We be
| lieve wheat, flour and corn are now cheaper
J than any other articles Of merchandise, anC
perhaps as cheap as they can be until Tho
price Of gold comes down. Although Tho
nominal value looks high, it is really dow
to about the old price before the war, say
So to $40 per barrel.
There is a good stock Of old corn on hand
and the prospects are good for an abundant
crop of now. There is now heavy draf
made on us from foreign countries. 1t is tC
be hoped there will be no increase foreign
demand for wheat flour or corn. AS VIC
have Il much larger territory at home tC
supply than is generally supposed Canada
would do much to keep flour down were il
not that the reciprocity treaty had expired
as barrel Of flour costing IS in Canada
must pay duty Of 20 per cent, or 81 go 1
barrel, which brings the price up to that Of
State flour. Now if farmers would sell THEN
wheat for old prices, dealers would be as
well pleased with it us the consumers. Fol
the benefit of consumers we will say the
quality Of -four from this years wheat will
be very choice. c.
ANTIOCH COLLEGE, OHIo.-We arc
happy to learn that our friend and class
mate, Rev, George w. IIosmer ID. ID. Of