The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-01
The Crops and Trade Prospects.

The reports from the agricultural districts
are in the main reassuring Notwithstanding
the losses incurred in particular districts by
droughts and in others by an over plentiful
fall Of rain. These are inconvenience and
disappointments upon which the tiller of the
land must count To the farmer the state of
the weather is o matter of vital Importance,
but he must be prepared to discount the
probabilities. This year, in some sections of
the republic has been most trying one for
this class Of the population; but though we
sympathize with the misfortunes of those who
encountered the i'll will of the gods we ore
not the less thankful that the sombre forebod-
ings which have been INDUCED in by evil
prophets are likely to prove groundless So
far, the news received from oil Sec
tions Of the country gives good ground to
hope for an unusually plentiful harvest.
Indeed, so far as may be judged from the data
already furnished, this years production will
be greater than Of preceding ones. This re-
suit seems to be assured, Notwithstanding the
fact that certain districts have suffered severely
from the ravages Of insects and drought. So
great has been the loss in some instances that
the harvest must be looked upon as having
failed completely. In Missouri the loss has
been especially heavy, the ravages Of the
clinch bug and the over-plenteous fall of rain
having contributed to the almost complete
destruction Of the wheat crop. Nature, how
ever, is rich in compensations, and even here
she has interposed to soften the severity of the
blow by increasing the value Of the grass and
fruit crops, which were remarkably prosperous.
Sin the same way she has spread her benefcent
| influence over the country, and, though States
and districts may suffer immediate loss the
Texas and Georgia have been specially favored,
and all reports speak of full granaries and
| pleasant prospects for the farmers. We regret
that this favorable state Of things cannot be
reported from oil points-indeed, 80 far from
it, the losses in many districts threaten to be
disastrous. Tho cotton in some States has
suffered almost as much as the corn, and will no
doubt be short in quantity and poor in quality.
Although it is impossible not to feel deep con-
Germ for the afflicted districts it is reassuring
to know that whatever individual suffering
may be caused by the unaccountable weather
which has been vouchsafed to us all danger Of
a general failure of the harvest may be con-
sidered past Should the present favorable
weather continue there is reason to hope that
the production Of the year will be large beyond
precedent, notwithstanding the partial failures
already reported. This fact will tend to
allay any uneasiness that may hove
been felt in commercial circles, as it
secures the means of supplying in some part
the enormous deficiency caused by our large
importations. Year after year the balance Of
trade has been against us, and we have been
compelled to pay for superfuous luxuries with
our bonds. The only chance of redressing
the balance lies in the increase Of the products
of the soil, as we can scarcely hope to find o
market for our manufactures in the Old
| World Full haryests will hare. the effect Of