Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-07-23
THE WHEAT CROP.

What is to become of the surplus? This
is now the question. Two years ago it was
asked Where are the supplies for the
next year to come from2 The latter was
not a pleasant subject to write about. 1t
Eoresh2dowed precisely what has occurred
hard times The loss ola crop is equiva-
lent to loss Of capital. A nation where
agriculture is the great source Of wealth
cannot prosper, but must suffer, from short
crops. Short crops have been experienced
in this country for several years; conse-
duently we nave suffered. Now, however,
there is a-change. The wheat crop is q
large one. The harvest is without pre-
cedent in point of abundance. There is no
crosking on this ground. The quantity of
wheat in the country was never 80 large az
it is to-day. Hence, the question: What
is TO become of the surplus? Upon this
point there need be no alarm. Foreign
markets will take all we have to spare.
Last year, Notwithstanding high prices,
foreign shipments were large. This
year, price being lower, the exports will
be very much larger. Europe ia not capa-
Bile of producing bread for its people
When crops are good, there is still def
cheney. This year the crops are not good,
and hence the deficiency will be greater
than usual, and this must be supplied by
the United States. Besides, low prices will
induce heavier consumption abroad, and
prices are now ruling comparatively low,
when we take into consideration the
premium on gold We may calculate,
therefore, upon an extraordinary foreign
demand for breadstuffs, as we have three
Ii. 10 ha hof
an average, in the preceding years, the
surplus will bring more than has been
realized since 1864.
In addition to the fine wheat crop, all
other products thus far matured have
Welded largely, and the great staple, cor n
promises well. IF nothing happens to the
latter, we may look for a heavy crop OF
hogs. Ali this fOreshsdows cheaper liv-
ing, and a general revival of business.
| Trade never did prosper while famine
prices prevailed for food, and it will lie
found that our crop failures have been
thelchief cause ofthedepression in bu,ine. 2.
Large as our debt is, heavy as our taxes
are, the loss of half Of years crops out.
weighs them all. No use in talking about
prosperous times in the face Of $I2 per
barrel for -four; S3S per barrel for pork;
80 cents per bushel for corn; IS cents per
bushel for oats, and other articles in pro-
portion, 10 this market. These figures
indicate, not prosperity, but adVer-
sity. In proportion as these
prices are reduced in consequence Of in
creased productions, times will improve,
and in view of the present prospects 1t is
reasonable to calculate upon revival of
business at an early day. Money instead
of being hid away will be let loose; men
of capital who have been waiting for some
thing to turn up, will find that something,
and money will be in better supply with
the people because it will be more actively
circulated through the various avenues q
| trade.
If the abundant crops, with n large for
eign demand for the surplus, do not furnish
a good foundation for business it would be
hard to find such basis.-Cincian1i Ca
| zefiP. ,Jillu Il,