The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-10-10
The Rarley Cron.

OOAtaiucu uOtlC0 dltcI uOGlC6 OF 10
per cent, 80 per cent, and as high as
so per cent, decreased area planted to
barley, due, as then stated, to unpfo-
ductiye prices realized for the past two
years; the uncertainty of crop, and the
fact, that at seeding time the wrangle
the treaty of st. Stefano was going
on, and both England and Russia had
seemingly assumed a stand from which
neither could back down without a loss
of honor, and not to do so was to deluge
Europe with a war, thus closing Russian
wheat ports, and assuring for this
country high wheat prices in suchscase,
and farmers generally realizing this,
forsook barley and put their land into
wheat. 1t is now generally admitted
that the spring wheat crop through the
west is almost a failure, having been
struck at its critical period by excessive
heat, and this atmospheric cause had
also its effect on barley, reducing the
yield on the largely decreased area sown
very materially, and to add to the mis-
fortune was, almost we the entire west,
followed by great damage caused by
drenching rains and wind storms lodging
the crop, thus again lessening the pro-
duct. Under these collection of
misfortunes we would naturally
look for a movement, at centres
like Chicago, Milwaukee and st.
Louis of a character in keeping with
the diminishing production, but are
surprised to, find, more especially at
Chicago and Milwaukee, the crop re-
ceipts 80 far, instead of being light are
really ahead of last year, the largest
bailey year we ever had. 1t is true that
the inspection reports of both places show
the damage above commented upon, in
the shape of light arrivals of the market
grade No. 2, and this is shown BY the
wide difference it commands over the in
ferior kinds, but the question is how to
account for the comparatively large re-
ceipts under the circumstances. We
have spoken to many well posted and
they tell us that barley isalways market
ed early and that this year the incentive
to do 30 is strong, for it is the only
cereal the farmers hold which brings
a fair price, the loss of their spring wheat
being offset by the increased production
of winter, or at all events, for the time
being by the large deliveries of winter
wheat states. In looking over statistics
of barley we find some interesting fig
ures which we give below and the
official authority from which the same
are derived. We find by the Milwaukee
chamber of commerce report for
1878 that the average price of No. 2
barley there for ten years past is $1.02,
or only three cents per bushel below the
current value now. The official New
York produce exchange circular COM
piled from the agricultural department
of the United States gives barley crops
for several years as follows: 1873, 49,
044,4S1; 1874, 1852, 500; 1876, 36,90S,-
600; 1876, s $40, 900; there is no official
estimate yet for 1877, but another
authority places it at 100000, the
deficiency on the year previous being
due to shortage in Pacific states. Our
great competitor in barley production is
the Dominion of Canada, but our tariff
laws tax her shipments fifteen cents per
bushel in gold; but even with this
obstacle she plays an important part in
our supply. The same causes which
gave us a-decreased- AREA had the same
effect in Canada, as did also the atmos-
pheric influences which hurt crop.
The decrease in area in Canada is put
at SO to 40 per cent, and the yield at
five bushels per acre below that Of last
year, to say nothing of amount rendered
unfit for mailing. The crop of 1877
was estimated at 10000, 900 bushels;
accepting the theory Of decreased area,
the product would be for 1878, all
kinds, $780, 900 bushels, making a de-
fciency for the crop Of 100000 bush.
els. According to the department OF
agriculture, the crop through the states
Of Iowa Hinoiss WISCONSIN, MfnHesota;
Nebraska, Kansas and Nevada, was fol
the year 1877 equal to II, 200, 900 bush
els. Assuming the decreased area anc
damage done is equal to 80 per cent.
which does not seem an over estimate
we have a deficiency representing $500,
900 bushels. East of the Pacific coast
the state of New York ranks highest a
a barley producer. The agriculture
department. reports put the crop TO
1876 at $780, 600 bushels; that of 1877
was larger, it is estimated, by 1000 O(
bushels, giving a net product for 1877 o
5000, 900 bushels. The area planted il
1878 is estimated at 80 to 40 per cent
below 1877, or a deficiency for New
York of $500, 900 bushels.
Apart from Pacific coast states anC
those given above, the quantity of Bar
ley raised is too small to materially at
feet figures of production.
We will, therefore, look at the de
iciency as collected above, and it show
as follows:
Bushels
Canada defoient-.-.---.... 3,500,00
Seven northwestern states deficient 100000
State of New York deicient........ $4,000
Total 100000
Against this deficiency, however, ther
were last year exported to Europe an
surplus of stock on August LIST, 1878,
surplus Of altogether say 1900, 900 bush
els, so that the net deficiency is equal t
10, 500, 900 bushels. Now on the assumI
ton that the crop OF 1877 was equal t
81, 900, 900 bushels, and take this year
shortage of TO- SOC, 900 bushels, it woul
SHOW d CIUP VI Ai,1Vv,oVo uuolClo, Y
4,941, 481 bushels below any year sine
1873, and that year (1S73) No. 2 barle,
sold in Milwaukee at 81 cents in July
$1.O6 in August $1.20 in September
$1.45 in October, $1.45 in Noyembe
and $1.46 in December, and in the. fol
lowing year at $1.80 in January, SIS
in February. and on the crop of 1877
with its 80, 800, 900 bushels product, i
touched $1.33 in September.
From these statistics we can dra,
but one conclusion, and that is in favo
of higher prices for barley. Producer
can draw their own conclusions fro1
the facts and figures which we have r.
produced, but we are confident they wi
concur with us after reading the facts
here presented.
So Amateur Duelists. an
We never fought nor than n due
writes Max Adeler. 1t was with a ms
named Blood, who was determined