The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-06
The Wheat-Crop Prospects,

LONDON, September 1.-Mr. James Card,
in his annual letter to the Times on the har-
vest prospects, says:
s'The extent of wheat is greater by nearly
10000 acres than last year, but 400, 900, or
one ninth, below the average Of the ten pre-
cedng years. On careful analyses OF re-
turns from farmers in various parts of the
country find that in twelve of the princi-
pal wheat counties, which represents one
half of the wheat growth of the Kingdom,
three quarters OF the returns show that the
crops are below the average crop. For the
remainder OF the country the deficiency is
somewhat less in proportion. The returns
show a very general deficiency. They are
below an average crop, but noe greatly be-
low it.. The general yield is better than
that Of 1853, 1867, or 1S75-the three worst
crops in thirty-four years. But I fear that it
will not be equal even to the defect
i've crop of last year, and that notwithstand-
ing the increased acreage we shall not have
more than between 1900, 900 and 10000, 900
quarters of home-crop The reduction of
consumption consequent OF the enhanced
price may reduce the years requirements to
20, 900, 900 quarters, on two cOnditiOns-of
strict economy in consumption and an early
harvest next year. The foreign supply we
should IN these circumstances require might
be limited to II, 900, 900 quarters. This takes
a most favorable view OF our position for
north of the Trent most OF the crop is still
unharvested, and is subject to the risks OF a
late season and very unsettled weather. If
we were the only country that required help,
and if we could rely on the 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 a renewal of the
famine in India can hardly admit OF any in
crease of the large supply we have received
from that quarter during the present year.
We must therefore look to America for a
considerable increase even on her great eX-
ports of the last four years, and If the war
in Turkey continues the vast resources of
the United States and Canada will indeed be
severely taxed to make. good the wants Of
this country and Western Europe.
''The small homc-crop of 1915, supple
mcnted by the largest import we have ever
yet received, afforded five and half BUSH
els per head. The deficient crop of 1876,
with all import which somewhat exceeded
u, 000, 900 quarters, has afforded very little
over five bushels. II the Black Sea ports
continue closed for the coming harvest year,
we may have to restrict consumption to con-
siderably less than five bushels head. The
other homegrown crops promise little aid,
barley being deficient apd oats not above an
average. while potatoes are. much. diseased.
In 1866 and 1867, when from.t,o defcinet
crops and comparatively small imports the
quantity OF wheat for consumption fell be-
low five bushels a head, the price was sixty
four shillings. In the past twenty five
years the quantity has on several occasions
fallen below that mark, and the prices of
three years have averaged sixty shillings.
II, therefore. the Black Sea ports continue
closed during the coming harvest year we
may be thankful if it goes no higher"