Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-07-08
FAHMERs' AND GRAIN DEALERS
CONVENTION.
The subject Of wheat Thoroughly Dis.
cussed, dc.

meeting took place Saturday, the 4th
of July, according to previous an
nouncemelt. A goodly number of the
farmers from different portions of East
Tennessee were present, AS well as all
the principal grain dealers, and the
questions as to the yield and probable
opening price of wheat were thor
oughly discussed.
DIR, Frazier was called to the chair,
and P. NJ. Williams was elected Secre.
tary.
Mr.. J. w. Gaut stated that the OBJ
ject of the meeting was to ascertain, as
far as possible, the probable quantity
of surplus wheat, aud to harmonic
the views of the producer and con.
sumner as to the price of the surplus to
be marketed
A motion prevailed that the farmers
give their views OF the yield as COM
pared with the yield of 1872 and '73.
DIR. Frazier thought the present crop
better than that of 1873, but not up o
the crop of 1872, but the acreage of
1874 being much larger than that of
1872, the present crop is fully equal to
that of 1872. The wheat is of good
quality. and better cleaned. He sold
about 20 bushels in 1872, and will have
about 100 bushels this year. Mr..
Hodges, of Hamben county, threshed
q bundles, which yielded bushel.
He thinks the crop is above the aver.
age in his section. There is larger
acreage, and the quantity for sale will
| be 25 per cent. above that of 1872, and
| 80 per cent over 1873. Col. Hubbard, Of
Messy crop is less than es.
timated, with 50.per cent. larger acre
age. Maj. Bond-it is about an aver.
age crop In Blount county. A. Sharp
wheat in his section equal to the
crop of 1872. Mr.. McBee-the crop
the largest for several years. Mr.
Shelton, of Blount county-the yield
% per cent. over that of 1872.
Mr.. Cottrell, the average larger than
usual, and quantity for sale 25 to 80 per
cent. over 1872. Mr.. Harris thinks it
good yield and good grain, 25 to so
per cent. over former years. w. s.
Anderson, the yield not so good as
1872. II. w. Keller, the acreage larger
than 1872, but yield not as large as 1872,
hut thinks the surplus this year about
equal to that of 1872, Robert Arm
strong, the present crop about equal to
that of 1872. II. G. Helm, of Jefferson
! county, the acreage large and the yield
rather above that of 1872. Mr.. Pick
ems, the crop % per cent. better than
1872. Mr.. Caldwell, it rather below
average crop. p. NJ. Williams, the
crop about equal to 1872 in quantity,
but not so good in quality. Messrs.
Kennedy and Walker thought the
same. Mr.. Ambrister, quality as good
as 1872, and quantity Is to 20 per cent.
over 1872.
r. r. Strong, quality as good as 1872
and quantity over the crop of 1872. j.
w. Gaut, crop larger than 1872, and
| quality as good : thinks millers not
willing to pay over 81 per bushel. Mr..
/ Hodges argued that the crop was not
greatly larger than those of'72-'73 Short
hay, oats and corn crops would warrant
the farmer in holding for better than
81 per bushel holding at least
until the market fairly opens. John
p. Beach said he would rather pay 81 25
than 81, but the present market would
not justify over Sl.l5 per bushel. After
some other remarks by Messrs. Hub
bard, Armstrong, Keller, Gaut and
others, the meeting adjourned, it being
generally understood that about S1.l5
is fair opening price for Knoxville.
The meeting was very harmonious as
we'll as interesting.
THE PRICE OF WHEAT DISCUSSED.
Mr.. J. p. Beach, of the Knoxville
| City Mills, said he could not afford to
| pay higher for wheat, than he was jus
| tilted by the market found for his flour.
would be very glad TO give the high
est price. Certainly there is no combi
/ no Tor 20 Ion ,..sna
] prices ranging as they are now, and
with present rates of freight, / can do
no more. L do not see any cause for
| hostility between the millers and the
! farmers. | always made more money
with wheat at S1.75 than at $l.O0.
| There is positively no demand in the
| Southern markets for flour; when there
is, flour will go up. The millers here
certainly have no combinations, and
there is no ground for animosity be-
tween the producers of wheat and the
manufacturers of flour. l would be
willing to pay Sl.10 or Sl.15 per bushel
Tor wheat, If the farmers can point me
to market where l can dispose of my
Hour to advantage, after paying that
! price. Or / would be willing to grind
their wheat at a certain stipulated
price.
THE MILLERS DEFENDED.
Mr.. j. w. Gaut explained the posi-
ton of the millers. Owing to the very
large crop of flour being held over in
stock, and the surplus wheat carried
over, the Eastern and Southern mill
ers, without any consultation or COM
bination, are thus forced to offer the
present price for wheat. admire the
courage of Messrs. Hodge and Cald-
well, in deciding to hold their wheat.
If by waiting, thirty, sixty, or ninety
days, they could obtain $3.50, very
well. But there Is this danger, that if
producers fix an arbitrary price, buy
ers may go elsewhere. Our object is
to do justly aud fairly with our farm
ers. OF course, il they decide to hold,
we are out of the market. ...
Mr.. II. H. Hubbard of Jefferson, said
If 900, 900 bushels Of wheat could be
stored in Knoxville, when the rivers
and lakes OF the North were frozen
wheat would bring better prices. Mr..
Hubbard declared he had in his pocket
proposition from I" as good a man as
| -. 4 l..