The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-10-20
CORN CROP OF 1874.
REVIEW OF THE CONDITION AND PRosPEo
L.-....al

Prepared by c. W. Greenel
On every hand we hear the opinion ex
pressed thst.the present corn crop is very
much short, and the market price, which IS
generally the best barometer as indicating
the true condition, would appear to confirm
this visw. The Agricultural Department es-
siuaates The crop from 10 to 20 per cent. be-
I5w an average but the basis
uron which they calculate-an av-
erage crop-is very indefinite
cruantity. II NAV be we'll TO make careful
review of the situation, for if my surmises
be correct there is very fair chance that
somebody is to lose some money Dy the ue-
cline of values during the next sixty days.
As Is we'll known, the crop of 1873 was an
Exceedingly short one, running nom 70 TO
- rer cent behind the previous one
in extent of production IN nearly
AZ OF the corn States. IL was
no: over large in acreage ana was lhIuree
frst Nv severe drouths, afterward by frost
Not outstanding this the records at ChlcaGo
and other Western markets, as well as OF the
soaboard markets, show almost as large a |
movement as from the heavy crop OF ioIz'
and 1T very much advanced prices. frue;
theye was considerable quantity oil ola
corn held over and put upon the Market
INT The amount was not nearly so large pro-
nortionatelv as was anticipated, and made no
Considerable figure in the aggregate move
meut.
THE LOCALITY OF CHIEF PRODUCTION.
VeTv careful compilations prepared by
Mr.. VIM. Grosvenor for the st. Louis Mer-
chants Exchange sccredit Illinois with iur'
,;snino, quite one half of all the surplus
c~-n marketed in the country, and the bal
snce almost equally divided as between the
states east and west OF Illinois respec,
tiveIv While Kansas, Nebraska and
To-
Quantities Of this grain, it is too remote to
be transported to market except IN the form
Of cattle or hogs, and although there may
he some dencieney In those states, IL is SO
incousilerable and is so fully compensated
bv good wheat crops that it can hardly be
considered as affecting the general harvest
Very careful returns collected and collated by
the State Agricultural BOARD OF Kansas, IN
view OF the supposed devastation anu re-
f.ultant deStitution caused by the grasshop-
r,ers. indicate clearly that the damage has
hae1 exaggerated, and that although certain
c0nntiss have suffered materially, others
ave favored with q sufficient surplus, so
that the state, as whole, Is nitIy
provided with breadstuffs. Returns gam
cred bv several of the enterpTising western
newspapers, near the close ofthe growing
season, present an unusual proportion OF
encouraging reports. To be as DEFINITE as
possible will glance at the con1ltlon OF inc
proposed by Mr.. Grosvenor. FIRST, as 10
Illinois, or
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT. ,-rI.faI
The Northwestern portion ofthe state, and
? considerable portion of the best corn dis
tricts of the state in the west centre are
reported as having full average
crops So. also. from the south center there
are favorable reports. 4 few counties, not
exceeding twenty i've and probably not
quite twenty, in the CATER and east center
81 the State, including several large corn
producing counties, suffered severely from
droutbs aud from insects, but will still har-
vest a somewhat larger crop than last
year. Taking ting State as whole, it is safe
70 estimate that Jhe crop is fully 20 per cent.
better than last season. Taking next
THE WESTERN DISTRICT,
vest of Illinois, we find Iowa with very
fne crop, having largely Increased acreage
and everywhere an unusually large yield;
irdsed, in many sections it is reported as
tie largest crop ever known since
tp settlement OF the State. The
sane condition exists in Missouri all north
of the Missouri river, and there is
good crop in one or two
ties of counties south of the river
In he southern portion of the State it would
appar that the crop is somewhat deficient
the Mississippi, which usually furnish iiber-
ally o the Southern markets, tho deficiency
can sarcely affect the general supply.
Wiconsin and Minnesota, although not
Usually producing very much for the mar
ket-he latter State none-will this year
have sufficient to feed literally 10 hogs
and tie first named send some, il
needed TO the Chicago market.
THE EASTERN DISTRICT.
looking then, east of Illinois, we find In
dana with crop probably 40 and perhaps
s. per cept larger than last year, and Ohio
almost - well OFF, Fcrther east
even in toe Now England States
there are average crops. Where, then
j. lie occasion for SO much croakings five
consider the probable demand for western
corn, we find t'e east better supplied than
last year. EurolA has cheap wheat, and al.
though deficient corn and oats, viii take
no considerable aAount from ms except al
prices far below those now ruling,
Some portions of he south have suf
fared materially A,orn drouth bui
Kentucky and TennessS will mot have n
iu1port very much since tev bsrs ,asriv "
full home supply. GeorgksnS south caro-
lima will not have occasion : hnv so nncb
as last year. Taking all thisSnto considera.
ton / cannot find good Suse for the
present range Of prices. Vt Va more
Than likely that the "cornesrsa have
been able TO control sso mar.
ket thus efectualIy, by the advantage Oh.