The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-09
BUSINESS WEST.
Condition and Prospects in the
Great Granary.
CORN A ND HOG.
Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas,
Minnesota, Iowa.
HEAVY CROPS---LOW PRICES.
The Great Movement of BreadstufS,
Hogs and Cattle.
KANSAS AND NEBRASKA PROSPER.
Wisconsin Frugal and Hopeful-Mnneso-
ta's Temporary Drawback
HEAVY CROPS---LOW PRICES.
The Great Movement of BreadStufs,
Hogs and Cattle.
KANSAS AND NEBRASKA PROSPER.
Wisconsin Frugal and Hopeful-Minneso-
ta's Temporary Drawback
IOWA IMPROVING STEADILY.


CHICAGO Dec. 8, 1878.
In this city are gathered, in ganglion, it were
the business nerves OF the West. Hence u carefully
conducted inquiry into the general business cond
ton of this great section how its farmers stand the
movement of its crops this year compared with
the last two three the disposition to invest in
land as business whether confidence is returning or
money plentiful what is the prospect for next year.
should give valuable results. In Chicago as rule
local pride tends to exaggeration of all things per-
tanning the ciy's business but it is possible to
find some who not disposed to statements that
cannot be verified by cold figures. Among such
have made my inquiries, carefully noting the replies
which, on account of the wide territory and vast
products embraced have grouped in the best order
could. rather than spread out seriatins individual
answers to given questions. With this preface I
shall OF once proceed to the subject in hand.
Tho trade Of Chicago this fall has been considered
satisfactory. There has been good average, when
take into consideration the fact that in a large
proportion OF the territory tributary thereto the
crops were. to large degree. failure. and so, while
the people have been restricted to the and
quality of the produce they have SELL income
has been cut proportonately low by reason Of small
prices. Tins of a certain portion of the country
tributary to Chicago taking the entire West into con-
sideration. find, OF course. superabundant yieM
of cereals and consequently depressed range of
quotations. The crops of Illinois this year will
show up about the same as last year;
Kansas has doubled Nebraska has added a
large percentage and Northern Minnesota has
atoned for the wonderful shrinkage in the
southern half of that State. As the yields
of these regions began pouring into the public
granaries prices began to go down. until now we
find the farmer refusing to part with his corn and
holding general thing, to the live stock in the
shane swine which sunk almost IN tha v,ricac
OF thirty years ago Thus it is that from many por
tons Of tho West we.hear the farmer complaining OF
"hard times and discover the fact that, on the
whole, he il not spending money as freely year
ago, simply because he has not the money to spend
Business in Chicago win tell you that
the aggregate OF receipts will be greater
this than they last; that more
business has been done on the whole by the whole
sale houses than in 1877. The actual are
yet made up, hut it is hardly possible that the
aggregate of values will equal that Of 1876. which
$652. 100000 while in 1877 it fell below these
figures fully s3l,ooo.ooo Last year there was de-
cline the aggregate OF breadstus received in this
city. compared with 1876 that of wheat reaching
g. lbs 566 bushels and hogs numbering 1G3 4O6 less
than in 1876 the prices of which latter represented
financial falling off of s25 600 owing the shrink
age in value. This year prices for breadstnfs and
hogs have ruled much lower than during 1877 and
while there can be doubt that the volume of
business has increased over that Of last season
it does not represent a corresponding increase of
money receipts 1t would ncccssiate from one-third
to one-fourth more business to realize the same
amount OF income
MONEY NOT PLENTY.
1t folly to say that the people todayn the West
at all events-have more moneySthan they had one
two three years ago. Staggering under the bur
dens of heavy debts, many of them except in some
specially favored locations it has taken all they could
rake and scrape to discharge their accrung indebted
ness and leave them enough to provide for the wants
OF their dependencies. Those out OF debt have not
realized as heretofore. for prices for products
have ruled low. There are regions to be
sure, where comparative flush times have
prevailed. and where there is pretty good
feeling; but when take into consideration
the entire country find that on the whole IL ia
nipand-tuck for the farmer TO get along and so are
not surprised when present demands get the better of
the solid judgment of many in particular local
ites and make them welcome any course in lcgisla-
ton that will give them money.
MOVEMENTS CROPS.
Last year the movements of agricultural products
from the West and Northwest through Chicaro
which city must be recognized the natural outlet
for this section of the Union greatly less than in
1876 the deficit being mainly in wheat The receipts
in Chicago from january !, 1871 to August of the
same year were less than 100000 bushels the
smallest amount of receipts for the first seven months
OF any year since 1855, with single exception From
August l. 1876, to August /, 1877, the entire
receipts in this city 10 1865 bushels less than
half the amount for the corresponding time of the
year before, and this in face Of the fact that the
wheat yield of the country was last year over
325 900 900 bushels-much larger than that of 1876
This lack OF transportation was owing 10 tho fact
that old stocks nearly depleted when tho new
crop began moving and large proportion 81 the yield
was absorbed by mills which had so to speak, abso-
lutely run dry.
The receipts OF here ia 1877 wero also lcss
than in 1876 by about 600 600 bushels AS have
shown elsewhere the crop product of 1878 has been
greatly in excess of that OF 1877. showing a much
greater acreage than in the latter year. There il
not the slightest doubt that the difference be-
tween 1878 and 1879 will be proportionateiy
greater and in favor OF the latter year;
for we must take into consideration the fact that
great breadths Of land have been opened M and
seeded down in several of the productive States
Of tho West Consequently led to believe that
while In 1873 the wheat yield of the country turned
400 100000 bushels, II will next year be in excess OF
this. and that while to-day have comparatively
ton is draft the individual resources Of the
future.
WHEAT.
The yield OF wheat in the leading Western and
Northwestern states in 1877 followB.--