The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-09-24
ESTIMATES BY ENGLISH AUTHORITIES.

ESTIMATES BY ENGLISH AUTHORITIES.
But there has since been published
in this country, and without critical re-
mark, an estimate of the British wheat
crop by Mr.. Kains-Jackson, which was
printed in the London Times money
article (mark the connecticut of Aug.
10, and an estimate Of the same by MIR.
James Sanderson, printed in the Lon
don Times mot in the money article) of
Aug. IA. 1t would have indeed been
strange if my estimate and Mr.. Sander.
sons had differed, because they both
rest on the same sort Of information.
In fact the estimates are substantially
alike. He says 5000, 900 acres Mt 1880
bushels to the acre; total, loo, 44O, 900.
l said 100000 at % bushels to the
acre; total. 93,6OO,OO0 bushels. The
difference is not material; but still be-
lisve am more nearly correct than
Mr.. Sanderson, from whom, however, /
venture to differ,u matter in which
he is SO well informed, with great diff
dence.
Mr.. Kains-J ackson's estimate is of
far different character and much wider
scope. He not only estimates the Brit
ish crop, but summing up that of the
rest of the world, declares that the lat
ter will leave 100000 bushels Of
wheat to sell, while the former will
need to buy but 100000 to 72,000.-
600, predicts serious decline in the
price Of wheat, and even reckons how
much money (s65, oOo. 0Oo) England will
gain by this decline.
CRITICISM OF Nh. KAIXs-JACKsON's
FIGURES.
Such is the at present incalcuiabfc
number Of conditions upon which price
depends, that have always regarded
attempts to reach any definite conclu-
sions on this subject as / ing far beyond
the province of statistics or political
economy, and considerably within those
Of stock jobbery and humbug. Upon
this ground alone Mr.. Kains-J ackson' s
conclusions are open to SO grave = sus-
picion OF honesty as to appear unworthy
of serious consideration. But since the
New York Tribune, an authority in
the agricultural circles Of this country,
has seen fit, while quoting Mr.. Jack
sons conclusions, to give them as those
Of an ''unimpeachable authority" (7ri.
buae's editorial, Sept. q, and this
thoughtless and extreme appreciation
has found its way into other prints, il
becomes necessary, in order to counter
act the false impressions which it may
prove the means Of conveying, to cx.
anime Mr.. Jackson's statements with
some degree of critical attention.
First, as to his estimate Of the Brit.
ish crop, which he puts at $4,000, OOC
to 120.00O,000 bushels. He gives no
quantitative bases CT acreage nor Of AZ.
! erage yield, as Mr.. Sanderson and
have done but quotes vague and frag.
mentary opinions from various local
newspapers ir England, and comes to 4.
bold but insuficiently supported con
clnsion Of his own, in lump sum D,
bushels. having range, from minimum
to maximum, of no less than {, OOO, 600
Second, he bases the consumption o.
the United Kingdom during the ensuin:
harvest year, 1915, upon a popula
ton Of 81 OO0. 900, whereas, according Il
British official tables, it was nearly 50,
SOC, 900 in midsummer, 1874, and vii
be considerably more during the yea
to come.
! Third, his q innate Of the vhea