The Grange advance., 1874-07-22

able for energy, and as green ard tend
er vegetation is confined to gardens and
a few fields, the whole hope Of subsis-
tence is likely to disappear: In old,
well-established countries the grass
hopper is burden, but wealth still ac-
cumulates. 1t is perhaps singular that
these pests almost always appear in
countries where there are vast ranges
for cattle, and as they do not eat the
grass, Notwithstanding their name,
much Of the subsistence of the people
is assured. The only part of the old
States in which they are reported to
have appeared this year is in Western
Virginia, and this is probably where
population is sparse. The destruction
in the West is confined to about twenty
counties Of three States, and it will be
equivalent to total loss Of all the crops
in about three counties in Illinois
Through a large part, of the West
the drouth was general up to the first
part of the month, but afterward show
ers appeared, and continued from time
to time, and all crops were greatly ben
Gifted. Hay and oats, however, were
really injured, oats especially, but this
is to be said more Of central and south
ern sections than of northern ones,
where the season is later, and where,
one year with another, the rainfall is
greater.
The potato-bug is becoming wide
spread and apparently fixed nuisance.
1t has now reached the Hudson River
on its journey to the seaboard. Paris
green seems not to prove preventive,
which undoubtedly is due to the base
adulteration, for genuine article is
scarcely to be found. Two hand pick
ings will scarcely save crop, but so
much time is required at this busy sea-
son that it connot we'll be spared.
A fair indication of the condition of
the crops is to be gathered from the
prices in the leading markets. Thus
hay has advanced Is cents per ton;
potatoes, 5 cents bushel oats and
pork triAe, and corn 5 cents, while
wheat has declined 3 cents. The ad-
vance in corn is probably due to actual
scarcity Of last years crop. 1t had
been previously stated that large sur
plus was held over; how the informa-
tion was obtained it would be hard to
tell, but this now seems not to have
been the case, and being in demand for
immediate feeding purposes, the advance
indicates deficient supply. Wheat
must be affected by the large crop of
the Winter variety now almost immedi-
ately to be put upon the market. It is
to be confessed that wheat usually rises
in price just before harvest, and hence
it would seem that it is certainly ex-
pected the crop will be heavy. TO this
consideration is to be added the statisti-
Cal fact that the visible supply of this
grain on hand up to June LIST, was
nearly 100000 bushels greater than
at the same period in 1873; but as an
offset, it is to be said that the price of
wheat, considering the scarcity Of money
and dullness of business; has been we'll
sustained:
The aggregate of the corn crop must
be large, and it seems now that the
price will be highly remunerative be-
cause large portion is required to sup.
ply the marked deficiencies from the
Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, and
as the corn crop is the principal one,
business men may forecast that the CONF
ing year is likely to be marked with
general recovery from prostration.
Fruit has suffered in sections by dry
weather, as is alleged, but this is more
probably due to the injury trees re-
ceived year ago last Winter. Thrift
ty trees are still holding their fruit.
The strawberry season at the West is
nearly over and the crop was short.
In the East the fruit of northern and
southern localities ripens nearly stimuli
taneously, and more than 60 carloads
arrived in this city in one day, an enor-
nous amount. Prices ruled low, and
growers had meager returns 1t is a
pity that fruit which is so generally
esteemed should so quickly perish, and
that it should loose so many Of its fine
qualities in transportation. In Cali
fornia fruit of all kinds will be abun-
dant. It may be added, incidentally,
that the honey crop Of this State is now
about reaching this market in large
lots, and that one large lot held over
realized only eight cents pound. Bee
keeping seems to be conducted on an e.