Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-21
THE CROPS ABROAD.

After the condition of the crops in this
country is ascertained, the next inquiry is
with reference to those abroad. If we have
grain to sell, it is natural TO hope for linn
ted supply in Europe. When that is the
case, the demand is active for shipment, and
the prices good. The wheat crop in the
United States for 1871, was above the
average of the last ten years. The area
planted was unusually large, and the
yield, per acre, entirely satisfactory.
Grain was heavy, and each bushel
weighed fully up the regulation stand
ard. There was no loss in that respect.
1t was also gathered in fine condition. and
prepared for the market with more than
usual care. From this crop we can spare
millions of bushels for the European mar
ket, even after deducting the loss of grain at
Chicago, which was heavy. This Being the
case, the Philadelphia Age says tie question
is: VIII there be steady demand for
grain and -four from England and the Con-
tinent? And it anwers this question as fol-
lows: From reports received an affirmative
answer can be safely given to this query.
There win not be an average yield ofwheatin
England. The quantity is limited, and the
quality poor. -Four bushels 10 the acre is
the estimated decrease. This will reduce
the crop to dangerously low figure. In
one Of the best wheat growing counties of
England the usual yield of forty-four bush
els is reduced to thirty-two bushels per acre.
One gentleman estimates that ii win be ne
cessary to import one hundred and four mil
lions of bushels during the coming winter,
to supply thes deficiency. In consequence
of the returns thus far received, tbeprice of
wheat is rising in England, and the de-
mand for wheat and -four from this coun-
try will soon be stimulated by orders.
From the Continent reports point to a
mole general yield Of wheat than in
England, but still the amount will not
fill the gap made by the short crop in Eng
land. The deficit in that country should be
supplied by Hungary, the Danubian Prin-
cipalities, and the producing districts of
Austria and Southern Russia. But the re-
ports from these districts indicate small
crops. A backward spring, together with
heavy rain and hail storms in August, are
the causes of the prospective deficiency.
ROumania is the only Danubian province
likely to produce full crop. In Hungary
the crop is also light; in Southern Russia it
has been injured by storms, and large
part of the wheat already stored at
Odessa has been damaged by water.
When all the crop reports in Europe are
gathered and sifted, it is quite evident
we viii have to supply England and, per
haps, other localities, with large quantities
of grain and -four. These articles must be
drawn from the West, and the movement
viii send money into those States, and give
business to railroads running to shipping
ports. Our own Central road has many
arms embracing the grain-producing regions
in the West and Northwest, and viii, there
fore, receive a full share Of the carrying
trade. If our ocean steamship line was in
operation, this port would be the place
from which the largest amount of grain
and -four would be shipped to England and
other countries. But, as it is, the grain
movement will improve trade and business
in this city, and thus benefit all classes Of
our citizens.