Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1874-07-15
agricultural.
The California Harvest.

The San Francisco Bulletin of June 18th
states that the wheat harvest in California
had then been fairly inaugurated. 1t will
not be concluded before the last of Au-
gust, there always being some who, from
lack of labor or other causes allow the
grain to stand till quite late, which can be
done without injury unless it falls down
The average yield of wheat this year will
be large, and grain of good quality.
The season has not been us fay orable
rs M ny preceding ones for tule farmers :;
such lands are generally turned to better
account in dry seasons. But there has
been Il greater breadth of tule land sown
to wheat and barley than last year. The
average production of these lands this
year will be double that of ordinary up
lands. Some of the estimates place the
wheat crop on tule lands as high as seven
ty bushels an acre"
Another article in the same paper shows
that the milling interests of California
have been making remarkable progress
the past season. China has long been a
good customer for California flour, but
shipments to Europe have previously been
almost wholly of wheat-shippers being
fearful of the effect of the wide climatic
changes involved in the voyage on the
quality of flour During the season be-
tween September 18th. 1873, and June 9th
no less than 10 full and % partial cargoes
were shipped for Liverpool, aggregating
100000 barrels, against less than $1,000
barrels the preceding year. This is thought
10 demonstrate the safety and profit of
such shipments:
The fact is of considerable interest and
Importance in many ways. California
must continue to rely upon the European
market to take the bulk of the wheat crop.
The more we can send in the shape of -four
the better it is for the state. The capital
and labor invested in our milling interests
reap substantial benefits from the business
If we could turn our wheat into flour before
exporting it. we could get along with one
third less tonnage, thus decreasing the
aggregate transportation expenses over
30 per cent. There is also n considerable
item saved in the cost of sacking the crop
by shipping flour instead of wheat. Every
consideration favOrs a cultivation of this
trade. 1t is acknowledged that our wheat
makes the best kind of flour, and that our
millers understand their business. If proper
care be taken to preserve high standard,
there need be little fear about keeping the
trade up to its present dimensions, with
reasonable assurance of a steady increase,
not only in the direction of Europe, but
also with Central America and other mar
kets near home"
The Bulletin of later date contains a
review of the market for California
wheat crop of 1873, which has now been
sold up more closely than usual. The
first new wheat was brought to San Fran
cisco, June 18th, 1873, and the market
opened with sales at 81 IS per 100 pounds.
Fluctuations followed, bringing the price
as low as 81 60 in July, and then by grad
ual advance up to 81 80, September 9th,
about the highest figure of the year. Sub
sequent changes in October, November
and December, We're mostly in the range
of 3 % to 81 80; in January, from 81 80
to g %; in February. from 81 90 slowly
down to 81 So; in March, from 81 90 to
80, back to 81 IS to 81 IS, and up again
to 81 90 to 50; in April and May varying
from 3 down to 81 80; In June 81 so to
81 50 for DID, and for the first new wheat
received on the 18th, 81 e. per 100.