Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-04-21
Crops and Prices of Breadstuffs.


The condition of the growing crops
in this country and in Europe is q
matter OF increasing interest both tc
the general public and the dealers In
produce, and reports upon the subject
begin to exercise an appreciable in
fluenee upon prices of breadstuffs.--
So far>nothing las occurred to change
the favorable reports of the growing
crops in the Northern and South
Western States, published in the Bull
tetln at the commencement of spring
The latest accounts from all quarters
confirm our anticipations of more
than average crops. The winter
crops are at present entirely salts
factory, and the greatest activity
everywhere prevailed in preparations
for the spring crops. The farmers,
tempted by the high prices of pro,
duce of all kinds, are making strenu-
GUS exertions to plant as large q
quantity of grain as possible, and the
area devoted TO cereals in this coun,
try will undoubtedly be larger this
year than ever before. The recent
rains extended over nearly all the
States, and have removed the fears
that were entertained of a spring
drought-the farmers dread. The
reports from England and all the
! grain growing countries in Europe
are also satisfactory, SO that we are
warranted in anticipating bountifuI
harvests both in the New and Old
World. tg9'1~a
La order TO ascertain the effects of
the favorable crop prospects upon the
prices of breadstuffs, it is necessary
to estimate the present stock of grain
and the probable demand for con-
sumption. 1t appears that at New
York, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Buff
falo the four leading grain ports in
this country, the stock is now nearly
the same as at the same period last
year. In 1867 there was total of
9.760,500 bushels Of grain of all kinds
en- hand, against an aggregate ofl0,>
Cos, 298 bushels at present at these
points. It will be seen that the ball
ance is now in our favor. To this
must be added considerable quanti-
| ty delayed in transit by the early
closing of the canals, and the stocks
held over during the winter by farm
ers. Respecting the latter there is
no reliable Intelligence, but the prob
ability is that the quantity is not as
large as is usually held by them at
this season of the year. The high
prices during the fall, and the large
European demand drew forth large
quantities of cereals from the hands
of producers. 1t should also be re-
membered that the stocks in farmers
hands at the commencement of the
last harvest was unpreeedently limit
ed. In many-districts there was &C
tually considerable suffering among
producers who had been tempted by
the high price to part with their
grain. When this deficiency is de,
Quoted from the estimated quantities
of grain that failed to reach a mar
ket, the reserve in the hands Of far,
mers will appear to be considerably
diminished.
In England and France, the prin-
cipal grain importing countries in
Europe. successive bad harvests have
reduced the quantity of grain on hand
to lower margin than has occurred
tor years. The reserved stock has
been largely drawn upon. and both
| countries must continue to purchase
largely until the commencement Of
another harvest. In 1894 the p, zee
of wheat per quarter in England was
40s. Id. against this years prices of
TBS. Id. In France wheat is even
higher than in England. The high
prices prove the scarcity, so that we
may expect that nearly all the sur,
plus produce that can be conveyed
to tidewater during the next few
months will be absorbed for Euro-
pean consumption. Large quantities
of -four have been shipped from Cal.
direct to Europe.
The prospects of large European
demand for grain may be expected
to keep up the prices of breadstutfs to
very nearly their present rates, until
the commencement of another har>
vest. And the deficiencies both in
the United States aud in Europe are
so large that it will require success
sion of plenteous harvests to restore
stocks to the ordinary standard of
safety against scarcity. Pending
this it is probable that no extensive
decline of breadstutfs can take place,
so that for several years to come,
farmers are likely to be enabled to
realize safe and handsome profits on
their produce.-N. Y. Bulletin, april
/ 1QfJ