The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-09-07
BRITISH HARVEST PROSPECTS.
An Increased Demand Upon the United
States Predicted.

An Increased Demand Upon the United
States Predicted.
James Card, in his annual letter on
the harvest prospects in Great Britain,
printed in the London Times of Sept.
2, says
"The extent of the wheat is greater
| by nearly 200, 900 acres than last year,
but 400, 900 acres, or one ninth, below
the average of the ten preceding years.
On careful analysis of returns from
farmers in various parts of the country
L find that in twelve of the principal
wheat counties, which represent one
half of the wheat growth of the king
dom, three-quarters of the returns show
that the crop is below the average, while
one-quarter give an average crop. For
the remainder of the country the def
cheney is somewhat less in proportion.
Returns show very general deficiency.
They are below an average crop, but not
! greatly below. The general yield is
better than that of 1853, 1857, or 1875,
the three worst crops in thirty-four
years, but L fear that it will not be
equal even to the defective crop of
last year, and that, Notwithstanding
the increased acreage, we shall not have
more than between 5000, 900 and 10, 0O0,-
600 quarters of the home crop. The re-
duction OF consumption consequent on
the enhanced price may reduce the
years requirements to 20, 500, 900 quar-
tiers. On the two conditions, OF strict
economy in consumption and an early
harvest next year, the foreign supply
we should in these circumstances re-
quire might be limited to IL 900, 600
quarters. This takes most favorable
view OF our position, for north of the
Trent most of the crop is still unharvest-
ed, and is subject 70 risks of late season
and very unsettled weather. II we were
the only country that required help, and
if we could rely on continuance of the
large scale of foreign imports which has
marked the last four years there would
be little cause for apprehension, but
with the exception of some parts of
Spain all Western Europe is deficient,
and the ports of the Black sea are closed,
while the renewal of famine in India can
hardly admit of an increase of supplies
from that quarter during the present
year. We must, therefore, look to
America for considerable in
| SiOocC CNCh VII utT tADOTUS Oh
the last four years, and, if the
war in Turkey continues, the vast re-
sources of the United States and Canada
will indeed be severely taxed to make
good the wants of this country and West
ern Europe. The small home crop of
1875, supplemented by the largest import
we have ever yet received, afforded five
and one-half bushels per head. The de-
ficient crop of 1876, with an import
which somewhat exceeds $4,000, 600
quarters, has afforded very little over
five bushels. If the Black sea ports con-
tinue closed for the coming harvest year,
we may have to restrict home consump-
ton to considerably less than five bush
els head.
" The other homegrown crops prom
Use little aid, barley being deficient, and
oats not above an average, while pota-
toes are much decreased. In 1866 and
1867, when, from too deficient crops and
comparatively small imports, the guam.
tity of wheat for consumption fell below
five bushels a head, the price was Ga
shillings. In the past twenty-five years
the quantity has on several occasions
fallen below that mark, and the price o.
these years has averaged 60 shillings
If, therefore, the Black sea ports con
tinue closed during the coming harves
year, we may be thankful if it goes NJ
higher"